Downtown Los Angeles has transformed into one of Southern California’s most exciting destinations. Once known primarily as the city’s financial district, DTLA is now home to world-class museums, historic architecture, incredible restaurants, rooftop bars, professional sports, vibrant neighborhoods, and some of the best cultural attractions in California.
Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway, visiting before a Dodgers game, attending a concert, or simply looking for fun things to do in Downtown Los Angeles, this guide covers the city’s can’t-miss attractions, where to stay, where to eat, and helpful tips for first-time visitors.
Quick Guide to Downtown Los Angeles
Best For: Museums, architecture, sports, history, food, nightlife, and photography
How Much Time: 2 to 3 days
Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall for comfortable weather, although Downtown LA is a year-round destination.
Walkability: High within each neighborhood, but expect to walk several blocks between districts.
Parking: Available throughout Downtown in paid garages and lots.
Things to Do in Downtown Los Angeles
1. Admire Walt Disney Concert Hall
Frank Gehry’s stainless steel masterpiece has become one of Los Angeles’ most recognizable buildings. Attend a performance by the Los Angeles Philharmonic or simply admire the striking architecture from every angle.
2. Catch a Game or Concert at Crypto.com Arena Staples Center
Ok, ok, it’s formerly known as Staples Center, but I prefer to call it by the name given at birth. This entertainment venue hosts the Lakers, Kings, Sparks, and many of the world’s biggest concerts. And I’m not even going to address the graffiti buildings.
3. Spend an Evening at LA Live
Restaurants, bars, live music, sports, and entertainment make LA Live one of Downtown’s busiest gathering places. It’s also home to a theater venue which hosts music and theater shows, but honestly the name changes so much that I can never remember what it’s called! Currently, it’s The Peacock Theater.
4. Visit The Broad
This free contemporary art museum features works by artists including Yayoi Kusama, Jeff Koons, and Andy Warhol. A visit to the museum is free, but reservations are required. If it isn’t busy, you can usually just make reservations on your phone just outside. However, one of its most sought-after experiences is Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room, an immersive installation that is extremely popular and separate reservations are required for entry to the Infinity Mirrored Room. Those reservations are more limited and they often book well in advance, so if you want to visit that exhibit, be sure to reserve your timed entry well before your visit.
5. Explore MOCA
The Museum of Contemporary Art showcases groundbreaking modern and contemporary works in the heart of Downtown. Its Grand Avenue location sits directly across the street from The Broad, making it easy to visit both museums in the same afternoon.
6. Experience the Grammy Museum
Music lovers can explore interactive exhibits celebrating every genre of recorded music. The museum has also hosted fascinating temporary exhibits featuring legendary artists including Taylor Swift, Whitney Houston, Frank Sinatra, The Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, and many more, making every visit a little different.
7. Discover the Japanese American National Museum
Learn about Japanese American history through thoughtful exhibits that tell powerful personal stories. Permanent and rotating exhibitions explore immigration, “incarceration” during World War II, art, culture, and the many contributions Japanese Americans have made to the United States, making this one of the city’s most meaningful museums.
8. Wander Through Chinatown
Browse shops, admire colorful buildings and gates, enjoy authentic restaurants, and explore one of Los Angeles’ oldest cultural neighborhoods. Stop by Phoenix Bakery for its famous strawberry cream cake, a Los Angeles favorite since 1938, or grab one of the city’s best smash burgers at Amboy Quality Meats, which has developed a loyal following among burger lovers.
9. Explore Little Tokyo
Visit Japanese bakeries, gift shops, ramen restaurants, and peaceful courtyards while experiencing one of only three remaining historic Japantowns in the United States. Be sure to stop by the Japanese American National Museum, which tells the story of Japanese Americans through powerful exhibits on immigration, culture, art, and the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. Popular stops include the Japanese Village Plaza, Fugetsu-Do for traditional mochi, and one of the neighborhood’s many excellent ramen shops.
10. Walk Along Olvera Street
Colorful market stalls, Mexican restaurants, live music, and historic buildings celebrate Los Angeles’ earliest days. Just steps away is the Pico House, once the city’s finest luxury hotel and one of the oldest grand hotels in Southern California. Also nearby is the Old Plaza Firehouse, Los Angeles’ oldest surviving fire station, which now serves as a small museum. While exploring El Pueblo Historic Monument, you can also visit museums such as the Avila Adobe, the oldest standing home in Los Angeles, and the Chinese American Museum, which highlights the history and contributions of Chinese Americans in Southern California.
11. Take in the View From the Top of Los Angeles City Hall
The free observation deck on the 27th floor offers panoramic views across Downtown Los Angeles, the Hollywood Sign, Griffith Observatory, and even Catalina Island on exceptionally clear days. Completed in 1928, City Hall remained the tallest building in Los Angeles for decades due to height restrictions that shaped the city’s skyline. Fans of classic television and movies may also recognize the building from countless productions, including its famous appearance as the Daily Planet in the 1950s Superman television series.
12. Ride Angels Flight Railway
This short but historic funicular has been carrying passengers up Bunker Hill since 1901. Often called the shortest railway in the world, the two bright orange cars travel just 298 feet up the hillside, but the ride has become one of Downtown Los Angeles’ most iconic experiences.
13. Eat Your Way Through Grand Central Market
Grand Central Market lets you sample everything from tacos and barbecue to gourmet sandwiches and international cuisine under one historic roof. Opened in 1917, it has been feeding Angelenos for more than a century and remains one of Downtown’s most beloved culinary destinations. You can easily spend an hour or two wandering from vendor to vendor, trying a little bit of everything. Popular stops include Eggslut for gourmet breakfast sandwiches, Olio Wood Fired Pizzeria, The Donut Man for its famous strawberry donuts when in season, and McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams for a sweet treat before continuing your day of sightseeing.
14. Step Inside Clifton’s Republic
Few places capture old Los Angeles quite like this whimsical landmark with towering redwoods, waterfalls, and themed rooms. Originally opened in 1935 by Clifford Clinton during the Great Depression, Clifton’s Cafeteria became famous for its affordable meals and the founder’s belief that anyone who could not afford to pay would still be fed. Following an extensive restoration, the historic building now combines its beloved cafeteria (maybe – I included old photos below just to share what it once was) with elaborate themed bars and immersive spaces. If Clifton’s is open during your visit, it’s one of Downtown’s most unforgettable dining or bar experiences.
Note: Google might say “permanently closed,” but check their website or Instagram or honestly try calling to see if it’s open to the public. And if their tiki bar is still there and open, definitely check it out, but don’t expect a drink anytime soon.
15. Browse The Last Bookstore
California’s largest used and new bookstore is famous for its artistic book tunnels and creative displays. Even if you don’t plan to buy a book, it’s worth wandering through the maze-like shelves, exploring the upstairs collection of independent artists and small shops, and hunting for hidden literary-themed photo opportunities.
16. Visit the Apple Store Inside the Historic Tower Theatre
Even if you don’t need a new device, it’s worth visiting to admire the beautifully restored 1927 movie palace that now houses one of Apple’s most impressive retail locations.
17. Take an LA Conservancy Walking Tour and Admire the Eastern Columbia Building
The Los Angeles Conservancy offers outstanding walking tours highlighting Downtown’s architectural treasures, including magnificent movie palaces, Beaux Arts buildings, Art Deco landmarks, and filming locations. Depending on which tour you take, you might see the Palace Theatre, which appeared in Michael Jackson’s iconic “Thriller” music video, the spectacular Eastern Columbia Building, whose brilliant turquoise terra cotta exterior and gleaming gold clock tower make it one of the finest examples of Art Deco architecture in the United States, or the Central Library.
18. Visit the Los Angeles Central Library
The Los Angeles Central Library is one of Downtown Los Angeles’ architectural masterpieces. Completed in 1926, the building blends Egyptian Revival and Art Deco design with beautiful mosaics, murals, sculptures, and an iconic tiled pyramid topped by a lantern. Inside you’ll find soaring reading rooms, rotating art exhibits, historic architecture, and free docent-led tours that make it one of Downtown’s hidden gems.
And the most hidden gem – a working Mold-A-Rama! For $5 (credit card only), you can purchase a warm-wax mold souvenir of one of the library’s Art Deco Egyptian Revival Sphynx statues. The Mold-A-Rama (aptly named the Mold-A-Central) is located on Lower Level 4 at the bottom of all the escalators next to the History and Geneaology department. Allegedly the library will be switching out the mold to 3 different library-themed shapes. The first shape is the sphynx and I can’t wait to see what the other molds will be!
19. Take the Neon Cruise
One of Downtown’s most unique evening experiences, this guided open-air double decker bus tour explores spectacular vintage neon signs throughout Los Angeles while sharing stories about the city’s colorful past. The tour starts (and ends) in Downtown LA and makes a pitstop at Grand Central Market (which is full of neon!) before heading over to Hollywood and then back downtown.
20. Spend the Afternoon in the Arts District
Murals, coffee shops, breweries, boutiques, and converted warehouses have transformed this neighborhood into one of LA’s most creative communities. Browse contemporary art at Hauser & Wirth, then stop by local favorites like Salt & Straw for ice cream, Blue Bottle Coffee for a caffeine break, or Verve Coffee Roasters. The neighborhood is also home to excellent restaurants including Manuela, Girl & the Goat Los Angeles, Bavel, and Bestia, along with unique shops selling everything from locally made goods to vintage clothing.
21. Visit Hauser & Wirth
Housed in a former flour mill, this internationally acclaimed contemporary art gallery features rotating exhibitions, sculpture gardens, bookstore, and an excellent restaurant, Manuela.
22. Explore The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA
Located in Little Tokyo, this converted warehouse presents large-scale contemporary installations that couldn’t fit inside a traditional museum.
23. Ride a Swan Boat at Echo Park
Just outside Downtown Los Angeles, Echo Park offers swan paddle boats, walking paths, skyline views, and one of the city’s most photographed lakes. If you visit in the spring and summer, you’ll often find blooming lotus flowers floating across the lake. Every July, the park hosts the annual Lotus Festival, a free cultural celebration featuring live entertainment, food vendors, art, and family-friendly activities honoring the cultures of Asia and the Pacific Islands. Before or after your stroll, stop by Echo Park Café, a neighborhood favorite known for hearty breakfasts, sandwiches, fresh coffee, and outdoor patio seating that’s perfect for people-watching.
24. Stroll Through Grand Park
Stretching from City Hall to the Music Center, Grand Park hosts festivals, concerts, food truck gatherings, and community events throughout the year. The park’s bright pink benches and colorful chairs have become one of its signature features, providing cheerful places to relax while enjoying views of City Hall and the surrounding skyline. During the summer, Grand Park often comes alive with outdoor movie nights, live performances, and cultural celebrations that draw both locals and visitors.
25. Walk Down St. Vincent Court
This charming European-style pedestrian alley feels worlds away from the surrounding skyscrapers and is lined with cafés and outdoor seating.
26. Explore Historic Union Station
Often called the last great American train station, Union Station blends Mission Revival and Art Deco architecture with beautiful gardens, waiting rooms, and restaurants.
27. Tour the Historic Broadway Theater District
Broadway is home to one of the largest collections of historic movie palaces in the world. Even from the sidewalk, the restored marquees and ornate facades are impressive.
28. Admire Downtown’s Historic Architecture
Beyond the famous landmarks, look up to appreciate beautiful buildings like the Bradbury Building, Oviatt Building, and many elegant Art Deco skyscrapers that helped shape Los Angeles’ skyline.
29. Catch a Dodgers Game
Just north of Downtown, Dodger Stadium offers spectacular views, baseball history, and one of the best game-day experiences in Major League Baseball.
30. Stay Out After Dark for the City Lights
Whether you’re dining on a rooftop, attending a concert, or simply walking through Bunker Hill, Downtown Los Angeles takes on a completely different personality after sunset as its skyline begins to glow.
Know Before You Go
Downtown Los Angeles Is Bigger Than You Think
Downtown Los Angeles covers several distinct neighborhoods, each with its own personality. Bunker Hill is home to many museums and cultural attractions, the Historic Core is filled with beautiful early 20th-century architecture, Little Tokyo celebrates Japanese American culture, Chinatown offers excellent restaurants and markets, and the Arts District is known for murals, galleries, breweries, and creative businesses.
Trying to see everything in one day can leave you exhausted. Consider grouping attractions by neighborhood to spend less time walking and more time exploring.
Stay Aware of Your Surroundings
Downtown Los Angeles welcomes millions of visitors every year and many popular attractions are busy throughout the day. Like any large city, however, it’s important to stay aware of your surroundings.
Visitors should avoid wandering into Skid Row, which lies east of much of the Historic Core and has one of the nation’s largest unhoused populations. Stick to well-traveled streets, especially after dark, and consider using rideshare services if you’re moving between neighborhoods at night.
Wear Comfortable Shoes
You’ll likely walk several miles throughout the day, especially if you’re exploring museums, Broadway, Grand Central Market, and Little Tokyo. I was wearing these flats and still suffered blisters.
Check Museum Reservations
Several attractions require advance reservations or timed tickets.
- The Broad’s Infinity Mirrored Room requires a separate reservation.
- Concerts at Walt Disney Concert Hall often sell out.
- LA Conservancy walking tours frequently require advance booking.
Plan Around Events
Sports games, concerts, conventions, and festivals can dramatically increase traffic and parking prices. Check schedules for Crypto.com Arena, LA Live, Dodger Stadium, and the Los Angeles Convention Center before visiting.
Where to Stay in Downtown Los Angeles
Downtown offers accommodations ranging from historic luxury hotels to stylish boutique properties:
Hotel Figueroa
Hotel Figueroa combines Spanish Colonial architecture with modern amenities and is located just steps from LA Live and Staple Center. Its famous coffin-shaped swimming pool and beautiful lobby make it one of the city’s most distinctive hotels.
If you’re considering staying at Hotel Figueroa, be sure to read my complete review covering the hotel’s history, amenities, restaurants, and famous coffin-shaped pool.
Read More: Hotel Figueroa Hotel Review
The Biltmore
The Biltmore Los Angeles transports guests back to Hollywood’s Golden Age with grand ballrooms, ornate ceilings, and elegant public spaces that have appeared in countless movies and television shows.
The Westin Bonaventure Hotel is instantly recognizable thanks to its mirrored cylindrical towers. Ride the glass elevators for incredible city views and experience one of Los Angeles’ most iconic pieces of architecture.
Where to Eat in Downtown Los Angeles
Downtown Los Angeles has become one of Southern California’s best dining destinations.
For elegant Art Deco dining, reserve a table at Cicada Restaurant and Lounge, located inside the spectacular historic Oviatt Building.
The Wolves serves creative cocktails and elevated cuisine inside the beautifully restored Hotel Alexandria building.
Moonlark’s Dinette offers modern comfort food inside the Hoxton Hotel. I recommend the food, but the hotel lobby and restrooms needs better attention to detail and cleaning.
Manuela in the Arts District is known for seasonal California cuisine served in a warm, industrial-chic setting.
Perch combines French-inspired dishes with one of the city’s most popular rooftop patios.
Bottega Louie remains a Downtown institution for Italian favorites, pastries, and colorful macarons.
Grand Central Market lets you sample everything from tacos and barbecue to gourmet sandwiches and international cuisine under one historic roof.
Where to Drink
Downtown LA has no shortage of memorable bars.
Library Bar mixes excellent cocktails with vintage-inspired décor.
The Golden Gopher is one of Los Angeles’ oldest bars and has welcomed patrons since 1905.
If Clifton’s Republic is open during your visit, don’t miss the opportunity to experience its multi-level fantasy-themed bars and incredible historic interiors.
The BonaVista Lounge is a revolving cocktail bar at the Bonaventure Hotel which has floor-to-ceiling windows on the 34th floor for amazing views of DTLA.
The Wolves serves creative cocktails and elevated cuisine inside the beautifully restored Hotel Alexandria building.
Suggested Downtown Los Angeles Itineraries
One Day in Downtown Los Angeles
- Walt Disney Concert Hall
- The Broad
- MOCA
- Angels Flight
- Grand Central Market
- The Last Bookstore
- Perch rooftop for dinner
Two Days in Downtown Los Angeles
Day One:
- Walt Disney Concert Hall
- The Broad
- MOCA
- Angels Flight
- Grand Central Market
- The Last Bookstore
- Perch rooftop for dinner
Day Two:
- Little Tokyo
- Japanese American National Museum
- Arts District
- Hauser & Wirth
- Echo Park
- Dodgers Game
Weekend in Downtown Los Angeles
Spend your first day exploring museums and architecture before ending with rooftop drinks. On your second day, discover Little Tokyo, the Arts District, and Union Station before catching a Dodgers game or attending a concert.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Downtown Los Angeles worth visiting?
Absolutely. Downtown Los Angeles offers some of Southern California’s best museums, restaurants, architecture, live entertainment, historic landmarks, and cultural neighborhoods. It has become one of the region’s top destinations for both locals and visitors.
Is Downtown Los Angeles walkable?
Yes, but it is best explored one neighborhood at a time. Walking between attractions within Bunker Hill, the Historic Core, Little Tokyo, or the Arts District is easy, but traveling between districts may require longer walks or a short rideshare trip.
Is Downtown Los Angeles safe?
Many of Downtown’s most popular tourist areas are busy and well-visited during the day. As with any large city, visitors should stay aware of their surroundings, avoid isolated streets at night, and avoid Skid Row unless visiting with a specific purpose or organized tour.
What is the best free thing to do in Downtown Los Angeles?
Some of the best free attractions include The Broad (with advance reservations), Grand Park, the Los Angeles City Hall Observation Deck, Olvera Street, Little Tokyo, Chinatown, and browsing The Last Bookstore.
How many days do you need in Downtown Los Angeles?
Two to three days allows enough time to visit the major museums, explore several neighborhoods, enjoy the restaurant scene, and attend a sporting event or concert.
Where should I park in Downtown Los Angeles?
Numerous paid garages are located throughout Downtown. Parking apps can help you compare prices, and many attractions validate parking or have nearby garages.
More Los Angeles Travel Guides
If you’re planning to explore beyond Downtown, check out these guides:
- Hotel Figueroa Review
- Santa Monica City Guide
- 15 Fun Things to Do at the Santa Monica Pier
- Highland Park
Final Thoughts
Downtown Los Angeles has evolved into one of California’s most rewarding urban destinations. Whether you’re admiring world-famous architecture, exploring museums, cheering on your favorite team, or discovering hidden historic gems, there is no shortage of unforgettable things to do in Downtown Los Angeles.
The best part is that every visit reveals something new. From iconic landmarks like Walt Disney Concert Hall and Grand Central Market to lesser-known treasures like St. Vincent Court and the Los Angeles Central Library, DTLA continues to surprise even longtime Angelenos.
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Land Acknowledgement
Salty Canary wants to acknowledge that we live, operate, gather, and benefit every day on the traditional stolen lands of several Indigenous peoples and nations including the Tongva (Gabrieleno), Kizh (Gabrieleno), Chumash, Popeloutchom (Amah Mutsun), Ohlone, Awaswas, and Fernandeño Tataviam peoples who have stewarded the lands and waterways throughout their many generations in what is now the state of California. I wanted to personally acknowledge these Indigenous people and nations and both their commitment and current contributions to the land with a donation to the American Indian College Fund because acknowledgment without action does not begin to address the systemic issues facing Indigenous people. If you feel as though you benefit from the land you’re living on or traveling to and you have the means, I kindly ask that you donate to a Native-led organization such as the Native American Rights Fund or the American Indian College Fund.