A Perfect Day in DTLA

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Advisor - Jonathan Beer
Curated By

Jonathan Beer

  • Los Angeles

  • Adventure Travel

  • City Travel

  • Off-the-Beaten-Path Travel

  • Downtown

  • Local’s Guide

  • Architecture

  • Foodie

This image depicts a street view of downtown Los Angeles with skyscrapers, warehouse style buildings and trees in frame.
Curator’s statement

I've lived in downtown Los Angeles (DTLA) for a few years now, and discovered there's so much to explore in these couple of blocks. Some of the oldest parts of the modern LA area are around the corner from the absolute newest, with choices for architecture buffs, foodies, families and individual travelers. There's a lot going on all of the time in downtown Los Angeles!

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Where to stay in Downtown Los Angeles

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Things to do in Downtown Los Angeles

This image depicts an old theatre with incredible stonework, layers of seats, an organ player, decorative ceiling, and golden stage. The entire room is lit with warm toned lighting and grand looking.

Bunker Hill

Explore the higher side of DTLA which houses some of the most interesting modern architecture. The Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Music Center across the street have opposing styles that somehow work in harmony. Check out the view from the Jerry Moss Plaza down to Los Angeles City Hall! Be sure to check out Ticket Tuesdays at the Music Center - every Tuesday, a $20 offer to a show appears on their website.

The Broad is also here, a free museum option for those that want something to do without breaking the bank.

Downtown

Once you're done on Bunker Hill, take Angels Flight down to Grand Central Market - a great place to eat, drink or just people-watch. If your trip lines up with one of the LA Conservancy's tours, it's a great chance to find out more about the history of the area or possibly even peek into one of the historic theaters in the area. Another option for theater fans is the Los Angeles Historic Theater Foundation which offers last-minute tours of downtown's 100+ year-old theaters.

Finance District

Don't let the name fool you - there's a lot to do in Los Angeles' financial core. Visit the last rotating bar left on the West Coast inside the Bonaventure - the BonaVista Lounge. The hotel's lobby is another treat in its own right. LA's Central Library is also an absolutely gorgeous building, with tours available most weekdays. Finally, you're just a block away from Fig@7th and The Bloc, two of DTLA's underground malls - and with access to the Metro, you can get to places as far away as Universal City or even Long Beach in under an hour.

Day trip

Universal Studios Hollywood is easily accessible via the LA Metro B Line.

Advisor - Jonathan Beer

Travel Advisor

Jonathan Beer

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This guide is part of our ongoing series on travel to Los Angeles.

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