The Best Things to Do in Downtown LA

Angels Flight is a Bunker Hill funicular that marries a historic landmark to public transportation with the spirit of a fairground ride. Originally opened in 1901, "the world’s shortest railway" has given more than 100 million rides. If this fun, quaint attraction looks familiar, you may have spotted it in the Oscar-winning 2016 movie La La Land. Linking California Plaza to Hill Street some 100 feet below, it can be a family-friendly amusement, a cute move on a date, or a convenient shortcut for Downtown LA explorers (that’s half-price with a TAP card!).

The 107-year-old Grand Central Market can satiate any taste and appetite, comprising 40 diverse vendors serving everything from currywurst to bento boxes, doughnuts to oysters. But even if you’re not hungry, this colorful gathering of global cuisines and cultures offers delightful sights and aromas - it's one of the most literal manifestations of LA’s great melting pot of a community. And there’s more than just hard-to-resist meals and snacks, with vendors offering craft beer, jewelry, and even a vintage-style photo booth.

Commissioned by a gold-mining magnate in 1893, the architecturally amazing Bradbury Building is a living piece of history famed for appearances in countless film noirs, The Artist, (500) Days of Summer and most prominently, Blade Runner. A nondescript brick shell makes the ornate ironwork of the soaring skylit atrium all the more extraordinary. Just the ground floor and first landing are open to visitors - the rest is private office space - but an on-site guide and brochures will augment your neck-craning visit.

Besides housing a major hotel in the heart of LA, the reflective cylindrical towers of the Westin Bonaventure and its Brutalist interior are architectural wonders worthy of a detour. Opened in 1976, the 367-foot marvel has been the subject of several documentaries and academic analyses, as well as a filming location for everything from True Lies to In the Line of Fire and This Is Spinal Tap; to numerous music videos and even Grand Theft Auto (in animated form). And there are few better panoramic views of Downtown LA than from the Bonaventure’s 35th-floor LA Prime steakhouse and revolving BonaVista Lounge.

An eye-catching landmark symbolic of Downtown LA’s recent rejuvenation, The Broad contemporary art museum significantly enhanced LA's reputation as a cultural destination upon opening in 2015. You can lose yourself for hours in the works of Roy Lichtenstein, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol; and almost literally in the two Infinity Mirror Rooms by Yayoi Kusama. Visiting The Broad is free, but note that Kusama’s immersive The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away requires advance reservations.

Founded in 1979, this hub of the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) has been free for all to enjoy since early 2020. Housing thousands of pieces of work produced since 1940, MOCA has evolved, alongside sister facility The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA, into one of America’s most renowned permanent collections. Easily accessible by public transport and with expert, friendly staff on hand in every room, MOCA Grand Avenue can be a 30-minute dip for newbies, an all-afternoon indulgence for aficionados, or simply a calming escape from the bustling city outside.

The star of the multi-venue Music Center (see below), Walt Disney Concert Hall (WDCH) is home to the LA Phil and the Los Angeles Master Chorale. But even if they aren’t your thing, WDCH hosts performances by a wide range of artists, from electronic pioneers Kraftwerk (May 21-26, 28-30) to jazz legends like Dianne Reeves (March 3) and Herbie Hancock (April 20).

Besides concerts, there’s so much to see and do at this Frank Gehry-designed cultural gem! Explore the many nooks of the curvaceous, futuristic architecture, including a hidden rooftop garden; take a free self-guided audio tour, shop the LA Phil Store, and enjoy a quick bite at the Concert Hall Café or dine at Ray Garcia's on-site Asterid restaurant.

Featuring four world-class venues and a quartet of renowned resident companies, The Music Center is one of the largest performing arts centers in the country and the place to catch classical music, opera, dance, musicals, dramas and more.

Comprising the shimmering Walt Disney Concert Hall (see above), Ahmanson Theatre, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and Mark Taper Forum, The Music Center is home to the LA Phil, Los Angeles Master Chorale, LA Opera and Center Theatre Group, as well as the ongoing series Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at the Music Center – an astonishing amount of culture within just a few blocks!

Upcoming productions include the launch of Alvin Ailey Dance Theater's multi-year residency in March; and the Joffrey Ballet's Anna Karenina in June. The Music Center also hosts free events like the summertime Dance DTLA and Carols on the Plaza during the holidays.

A major leap in the long-running efforts to revitalize Downtown LA as a cultural center with a sense of community was the opening of the 12-acre Gloria Molina Grand Park in 2012. With its well-groomed pathways, fountain, lawns and benches, the park offers a place where couples, families and lunch-breakers alike can find peace and privacy, secluded from the hustle and bustle of the surrounding city.

Open daily from 5:30am to 10pm, Gloria Molina Grand Park also hosts regular cultural and community events, so pack a picnic and gather some of your fave folks to make the most of this DTLA oasis.

The flagship of the huge Los Angeles Public Library system, the Richard J. Riordan Central Library houses more than ten million items in its eight stories. Yet these aren’t the only wonders inside and outside its walls, as the 1926 building is incredible in itself. Influenced by ancient Egyptian and Mediterranean Revival architecture, its central tower, one of Downtown LA's great landmarks, is topped with an elaborate tiled mosaic pyramid. Inside, the second floor rotunda houses a four-part mural depicting California history, with statues and the famous Zodiac Chandelier lending further grandeur.

The Central Library hosts one-hour docent-led Art & Architecture Tours on Thursday-Sunday. Check the library website for dates and times.

Originally opened in 1866 as La Plaza Raja ("Lower Plaza"), Pershing Square is Downtown LA’s central public space. The five-acre park is a wonderful place to catch your breath amid fountains, monuments and statues while savoring the high-rise skyline and nearby historic buildings, such as the landmark Biltmore Los Angeles across the street. A monument to the Spanish-American War was erected in 1900 and is said to be the oldest public artwork in LA.

Officially dedicated as Pershing Square in 1918, the park has received numerous redesigns over the years, including John Parkinson, who later designed City Hall and Union Station (see below); a postmodern makeover in 1994; and Phase I of a multi-million dollar revitalization scheduled for completion in December 2024.

Pershing Square also hosts diverse cultural events year-round, from public celebrations and concerts to farmers’ markets and the annual Holiday Ice Rink. Visit the Pershing Square Events Calendar for details.

Whatever your architectural fancy, the Los Angeles Conservancy has you covered with a guided walking tour that will also look at a given neighborhood’s art and history. Whether it’s Art Deco gems, the gilded movie palaces on Broadway (see below), soaring skyscrapers or Victorian homes in nearby Angelino Heights, the nonprofit Conservancy has an expert at hand to help you get the most out of a stroll around your favorites, while pointing out details and backstories you might otherwise miss. Tours run $18 for Conservancy members and $25 for the general public.

The six-block Broadway Theatre District boasts 12 historic neon-adorned theatres. Spurred by the opening of the restored Theatre at Ace Hotel (now the United Theater on Broadway) in 2014, the district has seen a revitalization of late. Last November, the three-day LA3C festival took over four of the district's venues: Theatre at Ace Hotel, Los Angeles Theatre, Orpheum Theatre and Palace Theatre.

While the Tower Theatre and the Rialto have been repurposed as an Apple Store and an Urban Outfitters, respectively; and the Globe Theatre recently closed, the Orpheum Theatre continues to host concerts and events. The LA Conservancy presents its Last Remaining Seats film series in the district every summer; last year's movies were screened at the Million Dollar, Orpheum and Los Angeles Theatres.

Worthy of a book in itself, The Last Bookstore opened in the softly lit loft of a historic bank building in 2005. The largest new and used bookstore in California is a literary labyrinth replete with 22,000 square feet of not only tomes but also records, comics, art studios, a yarn shop and more. It makes a joy out of its stated mission to “keep the paper and ink book business alive in an era of e-readers and digital downloads” with IG-ready funkiness like its famed book tunnel, (alleged) mammoth head, vaults and by some accounts, ghosts.

Built in 1924, the Spring Arcade Building is two twelve-story office towers connected by an arcade comprising three skylit floors of high-end apartments and an array of ground floor restaurants, running from Spring Street to Broadway. Behind the striking Spanish Baroque terracotta arches of the entrances lies a diverse dining destination that’s home to a variety of local businesses offering everything from breakfast at Blu Jam Cafe to Naturewell juice bar, killer tacos at Guisados, White Elephant modern Thai, Dickey's Barbecue Pit, Uli's Gelato and Garçons de Café, a wine bar and shop with a Parisian flair.

While the Original Los Angeles Flower Market is a great place to grab a bouquet for a friend, most of the customers here are commercial wedding planners, florists and restaurateurs. Located of course in the Flower District, the market is home to 35+ vendors offering millions of cut flowers and floral accessories. It's a sensory overload of colorful sights, delicate scents and - especially on busy Wednesdays and Fridays - the industry that’s evolved around beautiful blooms.

The pros swarm the Flower Market in the trade-only early morning hours; casual shoppers and Valentine's Day hopefuls are welcome beginning at 8am Monday-Friday and 6am on Saturday. (Closed on Sunday.) Public admission is $2 Monday-Friday and $1 on Saturday.

If you've ever wondered about the stories behind your favorite songs, the GRAMMY Museum at L.A. LIVE is a must-visit for rare music industry memorabilia, interactive exhibits, and even intimate performances by hit makers themselves. Follow a song from inspiration to recording studio to the GRAMMY Awards, then walk the red carpet like a winner!

Permanent exhibits in the third floor gallery include Michael Jackson: A Musical Legacy and On the Red Carpet, a showcase of the glitz and glamor of "Music's Biggest Night." Current temporary exhibits include Shakira, Shakira (on view through Spring 2024), the 50th anniversary of the Sunset Strip's storied Roxy Theatre (through Winter 2024); and Hip-Hop America: The Mixtape Exhibit (through September 4) celebrating the 50th anniversary of hip-hop.

L.A. LIVE is a Downtown LA mecca for sports fans, music lovers and anyone seeking a fun night out. Opened in 2007 across from what is now Crypto.com Arena, this self-styled “most entertaining place on the planet” comprises music venues (Peacock Theater, The Novo, Conga Room), Lucky Strike bowling alley, GRAMMY Museum (see above) and more. For movie buffs, watching a movie in 4DX at the Regal L.A. LIVE is a must.

L.A. LIVE is always buzzing, but never more so than for Lakers, Clippers, Kings and Sparks games, when even those without tickets can cheer on their team on the big screen TVs that are ubiquitous throughout.

Speaking of big screens, fans can catch all the games at Tom's Watch Bar, which boasts more than 155 TVs and the massive Megatron, which measures 13 feet high by 23 feet wide!

Food and drink options at L.A. LIVE include the Yard House, which boasts 160 beers on tap; Fleming's Prime Steakhouse, Fixins Soul Kitchen, Katsuya, Smashburger and Sol Agave.

The 44-acre El Pueblo de Los Ángeles Historical Monument includes the oldest section of LA, dating back to 1781. It’s close to where forty-four settlers established the original farming community that spawned a metropolis and was the city center under Spanish and then Mexican rule, and as part of the U.S. through most of the 19th century. Today, the area comprises 26 historical structures, 11 of which are open to visitors, and the colorful Olvera Street marketplace, packed with vendors and restaurants, as well as hosting regular special events and celebrations.

Dubbed “the last of the great railway stations” in America, Union Station is where so many travelers first arrived in LA for generations. The opulent 1939 landmark continues to be a vital transportation hub, with some 110,000 commuters and leisure travelers crisscrossing its marble/tile hallways daily. Intermingled are tourists seeking the station’s Art Deco/Spanish Revival architecture, a drink or meal in the elegant Traxx restaurant, or a selfie at a location that’s appeared in the likes of Drag Me to Hell, The Italian Job and an eponymous 1950 crime drama.

Housed within a former flour mill, Hauser & Wirth is a multipurpose art center presenting exhibitions, events and learning activities that connect with the local community in a vibrant architectural space in the Arts District. Admission is free and there are guided tours for groups of 10 or more. Along with its indoor/outdoor galleries and exhibits, H&W – which also has locations in West Hollywood, New York, Europe and Hong Kong – is home to two bookstores and the excellent Manuela restaurant, offering seasonal Southern-style fare and alluring craft beers on draft.