3 Days of Downtown Los Angeles

Peacock Place at L.A. LIVE in Downtown LA
Peacock Place | Photo: L.A. LIVE
Overview

Mention historic Downtown Los Angeles and the words “renaissance” or “revitalized” are seldom far behind. Since the turn of the millennium, Downtown LA has become a diverse, vibrant six square miles studded with world-class hotels and myriad entertainment, cultural, dining and retail attractions beneath its distinctive glittering skyline. Furthermore, as the hub for the city’s urban rail system, DTLA makes a great base for adventures further afield. With its Arts District, Fashion District, Gallery Row, Jewelry District, and even Toy and Flower Districts, not to mention colorful Little Tokyo and Chinatown, Downtown Los Angeles rewards visitors with endless attractions in an amazingly compact space.


Day 1

TAP into Downtown LA. There’s no need to rent a car in DTLA, with so much of the area walkable and served by convenient Metro stations, some of which are tourist attractions in themselves. And Metro’s fare-capping structure means you’ll never need to pay more than $5 a day or $18 a week when using a TAP card (available online, from station vending machines and at many retail partners). Base fares remain at just $1.75 with transfers free for two hours, so get to know DTLA on Day 1 with a whirlwind Metro tour, earmarking places to revisit at your leisure later in your visit.


Union Station
Los Angeles Union Station
Start your day and Metro adventure at an architectural marvel.
My Next Trip
Moonlark's Dinette at The Hoxton in Downtown LA
Moonlark's Dinette
A West Coast take on the time-honored American diner.
My Next Trip
Poppy + Rose
Poppy + Rose
Brunch on CA-inspired comfort food in the fragrant Flower District.
My Next Trip
Primary image for ROW DTLA
ROW DTLA
A 30-acre city within a city with 100+ retail outlets and restaurants.
My Next Trip
Primary image for The Bloc
The Bloc
A vibrant, open-air urban center just a few steps from 7th Street / Metro Center Station.
My Next Trip
Santee Alley
Santee Alley - LA Fashion District
Santee Alley is a premier outdoor shoppers’ paradise in the LA Fashion District.
My Next Trip
Primary image for Little Tokyo Business Improvement District
Japanese Village Plaza
Distinctive apparel, beauty buys and 20+ Japanese restaurants and cafes.
My Next Trip
Grand Central Market
Grand Central Market
An energized 30,000-square-foot arcade teeming with eateries.
My Next Trip
Primary image for Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles
MOCA
Numbering more than 6,800 works, MOCA is one of the nation’s most revered permanent collections.
My Next Trip
Bruce Lee statue in Chinatown's Central Plaza
Chinatown Central Plaza
A magnet for foodies, tourists and fans snapping selfies in front of the Bruce Lee statue.
My Next Trip
Interior of Avila Adobe on Olvera Street
Avila Adobe
LA’s oldest standing residence, situated on the block-long Olvera Street pedestrian market.
My Next Trip
San Laurel at the Conrad Los Angeles
San Laurel & The Music Center
Savor José Andrés' San Laurel restaurant before or after a performance at the Music Center.
My Next Trip
Aerial view of Crypto.com Arena
Crypto.com Arena
Indoor arena hosting 250 sports and concert events each year, with the L.A. LIVE complex next door.
My Next Trip
Day 2

Dive deeper into DTLA. Now that you’ve got the lay of the land (and the Metro system), it’s time to delve deeper into Downtown LA’s culture, cuisine and retail delights. Soak up contemporary art and inspiration at The Broad; ride the memorable Angels Flight funicular, bask in the Bradbury Building atrium, or enjoy the calm of Grand Park. Along the way, refuel at eateries that are bucket list historic landmarks in themselves, including The Biltmore Los Angeles, Cole’s French Dip in the Historic Core, and the 1924-founded Original Pantry. And, now that you’re well rested from your journey to LA, there might still be gas in your tank for some DTLA barhopping or clubbing.


The Biltmore Los Angeles Galleria
The Biltmore Los Angeles
Savor 100+ years of Old Hollywood grandeur for breakfast or lunch.
My Next Trip
Pancakes, bacon and eggs at The Original Pantry
The Original Pantry Cafe
This classic diner has served Marilyn Monroe and Martin Luther King.
My Next Trip
Dipping and sipping at Cole's French Dip
Cole's
Join the great French Dip debate!
My Next Trip
French Dip with pickled eggs at Philippe the Original in Downtown LA
Philippe The Original
Established in 1908 and at its current location since 1951.
My Next Trip
Primary image for Los Angeles Conservancy
Los Angeles Conservancy
The LA Conservancy connects visitors and Angelenos with local history.
My Next Trip
Book Tunnel at The Last Bookstore
The Last Bookstore
This 22,000 square-foot wonderland is California's largest bookstore.
My Next Trip
Primary image for GRAMMY Museum at L.A. LIVE
GRAMMY Museum
The GRAMMY Museum at L.A. LIVE is a wonderfully interactive experience.
My Next Trip
“Infinity Mirrored Room – The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away” by Yayoi Kusama
The Broad
This world-renowned collection of contemporary art includes Yayoi Kusama's Infinity Mirror Rooms.
My Next Trip
Primary image for Bradbury Building
Bradbury Building
A must for cinema, history and architecture enthusiasts.
My Next Trip
Primary image for Gloria Molina Grand Park
Gloria Molina Grand Park
A 12-acre green oasis in the heart of DTLA.
My Next Trip
Primary image for Angels Flight® Railway
Angels Flight
"The world's shortest railway" connects Hill and Olive Streets and has featured in 100+ films.
My Next Trip
Primary image for Mayan Theatre
The Mayan
This stunning 1927 theatre straddles “then” and “now” with diverse dance nights and concerts.
My Next Trip
Primary image for Exchange LA
Exchange LA
25,000 square-foot nightclub housed in the former LA Stock Exchange.
My Next Trip
Primary image for Elevate Lounge
Elevate Lounge
Indoor/outdoor 21st-floor nightclub with astonishing city views.
My Next Trip
Primary image for The Belasco Theater - Live Nation
The Belasco
A $12-million restoration brings The Belasco’s dance nights and live shows into the here-and-now.
My Next Trip
Day 3

Take your time. On your third day in DTLA, linger over some of the area’s more involved charms. That might be an unhurried brunch, a visit to an art gallery, a world-class concert, or a sporting event at one of LA's iconic stadiums. Then say farewell to the City of Angels with a leisurely, splash-out dinner at one of Downtown LA’s many destination restaurants, as tasteful as they are tasty.


Patio at Redbird in Downtown LA
Redbird
Award-winning Modern American eatery located in the rectory building of Vibiana.
My Next Trip
The Rooftop at the Wayfarer DTLA
The Rooftop at the Wayfarer DTLA
Brunch destination with wide-open city views from its 12th-story perch.
My Next Trip
Pitchoun Bakery Croque Monsieur
Pitchoun!
Authentic French bakery and bistro with everything on its menu handmade daily.
My Next Trip
Primary image for Hauser & Wirth Los Angeles
Hauser & Wirth - Arts District
Presenting art exhibitions, events and learning activities in the heart of the Arts District.
My Next Trip
Liz Huston "Before It Fades"
Gallery Row
50+ art galleries, museums, theatres and public art installations within walking distance of each other.
My Next Trip
Primary image for Million Dollar Theatre
Million Dollar Theatre - Historic Broadway Theatre District
A century-old cinema on a six-block stretch that boasts twelve historic movie theatres.
My Next Trip
Primary image for The Music Center's Walt Disney Concert Hall
Walt Disney Concert Hall
Frank Gehry-designed architectural jewel that's home to the LA Phil and Los Angeles Master Chorale.
My Next Trip
Aerial view of Dodger Stadium
Dodger Stadium
The home of the Los Angeles Dodgers and host for big-name concerts.
My Next Trip
Primary image for Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
The storied “Greatest Stadium in the World” is the only stadium that has hosted two Olympiads.
My Next Trip
Primary image for Los Angeles Football Club/BMO Stadium
BMO Stadium
The home of LAFC and Angel City FC also hosts concerts, special events and festivals.
My Next Trip
Primary image for LEVEL 8
LEVEL 8
Eight cosmopolitan concepts on the 8th floor of the Moxy and AC Hotels.
My Next Trip
Primary image for Bavel
Bavel
Communal Middle Eastern feasts for the entire table.
My Next Trip
Group dining at Baar Baar in Downtown LA
Baar Baar
A singular, brilliant play on modern Indian cuisine and culture.
My Next Trip
Whole Smoked Bo Ssäm at Majordomo
Majordōmo
California cuisine that celebrates LA’s diverse food cultures and the bounty of SoCal produce.
My Next Trip