7 Things To Check Out In Downtown Los Angeles
Looking for the coolest things to check out in downtown Los Angeles (DTLA)? Having worked in DTLA for over 7 years (minus the pandemic of course), I have gotten to explore a lot of what downtown has to offer!
I will be honest; it is not my favorite place to be in Los Angeles. There are a lot of office buildings, so depending where you go after work hours, it can feel a little deserted. HOWEVER there are a lot of unique gems that can’t be found anywhere else. And for that reason, I keep coming back and highly recommend these spots to visitors!
Keep reading for 7 cool things I enjoy checking out whenever I’m downtown. And don’t forget to click the button below to save all these spots and more to your Google Maps!
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Grand Central Market is one of my faaavorite all time spots to eat lunch. They have literally EVERYTHING you could ever possibly want to eat here. It’s a big market with 30+ different vendors; they even have a bar! There’s a lot of open seating, though it can get pretty busy around lunchtime.
You really can’t go wrong here. My classic go-to’s are Broad Street Oyster (lobster roll), Eggslut, Lucky Bird (fried chicken), McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams, Sticky Rice and Wexler’s Deli. But let me be clear: these are also the only places I have tried…I have no doubt that all the options are amazing.
Additionally, there is a Bazaar downstairs every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. There are new local merchants each week, so this is definitely worth checking out if it’s open. For more information, check out GCM’s website here.
2. Bradbury Building
This iconic building is actually still used as an office building, and has doubled as a site for many movies, tv shows and books. Have you ever seen Blade Runner? If so, it might look familiar.
This spot is definitely worth checking out; it’s open from 10 AM – 2 PM on weekends, and from 9 AM – 5 PM on weekdays. And it is free to go in! You just will not be allowed to go up any stairs as a visitor.
3. Walt Disney Concert Hall
I mean, WOW this architecture is absolutely stunning. The Walt Disney Concert Hall is home to the LA Philharmonic Orchestra, along with many other performances. You can check out all their events here.
Fun fact: there is a little hidden park in back of the concert hall. There are a couple different ways to get to the park itself, all of which involve going up many stairs. The shortest route is to go straight up from the entrance closest to 2nd St. Here’s a sneak peek of what it looks like:
4. Central Library
The LA Central Library is so stunning. It’s the largest library in Los Angeles with eight levels! This is the perfect spot to come relax, read a book, get some work done, or just walk around.
They also opened a Maker Space/Studio where you can use fancy sewing machines, film on a green screen, print with a 3D printer and more. This is more for LA residents, as all you need is a library card to use the space.
5. The Broad Museum
The Broad is a unique, contemporary art museum with free general admission always. You will just need to reserve your tickets online, usually 3-4 weeks in advance. They do not have tickets on-site.
I highly recommend booking the “Infinity Mirrored Room + General Admission” tickets. In addition to the museum, you will get 1 minute inside Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room—The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away (2013). It’s absolutely stunning; I’ve now visited the room twice!
6. Angels Flight Railway
This little railway will take you up and down the hill from Grand Avenue to Hill Street. Fun fact: it’s the world’s shortest railway, with the rides running for under a minute! It’s only $1 to ride up or down, or $2 roundtrip. Pro-tip: if you buy the roundtrip ticket you will get a little souvenir ticket to take home with you!
This is right outside of Grand Central Market, so highly recommend tacking this onto your visit before or after lunch. For more information, including their operating hours, check out their website here.
7. The Last Bookstore
Last but certainly not least, the Last Bookstore! This is a unique bookstore that has these cute instagram-worthy installations located on the upstairs floor. There is also an art gallery on the second level, which is fun to check out. If you’re a book lover, I highly recommend coming here; there’s a ton of seating around the store as well to sit and enjoy the books!
Whether you live here or are planning your trip to LA, I recommend checking out downtown Los Angeles! For more ideas, you can check out the Go City Los Angeles pass which will give you discounted access to a ton of tourist attractions.
Please let me know if you have any questions, and be sure to follow along on my journey on Instagram!
mariss
