23 of the best things to do in Downtown Los Angeles

As the crown jewel of the Music Center, Disney Hall opened in 2003 to rave reviews. The novelty hasn’t yet worn off: Both inside and out, this is a terrific venue. Designed by Frank Gehry, the hall is the home of the LA Philharmonic and the LA Master Chorale, but the schedule is surprisingly varied throughout the year. It’s also become a bit of a dining destination, with Ray Garcia’s on-site restaurant, Asterid (though it closes for the summer season, when the LA Phil heads to the Hollywood Bowl), as well as a bunch of José Andrés concepts across the street at the Grand LA.

Even if you’re not there for the food, this century-old spot is worth a trip; people from all corners of L.A. mix and mingle among rows of spices, produce and vintage neon signage. Of course, if you’re hungry, it’s a great place to get cheap pupusas from Sarita’s Pupuseria, carnitas from Tacos Tumbras a Tomas and chow mein from China Cafe, as well as food from trendy eateries like Shiku, Sticky Rice, Broad Street Oyster Co., Eggslut and Go Get Em Tiger.

Three words: Infinity Mirror Rooms. Downtown’s persistently popular contemporary art museum has two of Yayoi Kusama’s mirror-laden rooms (and, thankfully, a reservation system to secure a spot in the more immersive one). Elsewhere in the free museum, Eli and Edythe Broad’s collection of 2,000 post-war works includes artists like Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Ed Ruscha, Cindy Sherman, Barbara Kruger and Jeff Koons. Find out more in our complete guide to the Broad—and look out for a building expansion due to open in 2028 that will increase gallery space by 70%.

Walk through the archway entrance of this otherwise nondescript brick building, and you’ll be greeted with a stunning, light-flooded alley of wood, iron and brick. You’ll have to do most of your gawking from the ground floor (and half a flight of stairs), as the rest of the building is private office space. But it wows even from the lobby. History buffs will appreciate its place as Downtown’s oldest commercial building (1893); movie buffs will recognize the zigzagging staircases from the climax of Blade Runner and the final scene of (500) Days of Summer.

Time Out tip: Remote workers in need of an office for the day can book a day pass for the Bradbury’s co-working space (and humble-brag with the most impressive background on the Zoom call).

The Center Theatre Group programs two of the halls that make up DTLA’s original cultural complex. At the north end, the Ahmanson Theatre largely presents touring Broadway fare, while the smaller Mark Taper Forum stages a wide range of buzzworthy new dramas, though its programming has been scaled back since the pandemic. Also part of the Music Center, the grand Dorothy Chandler Pavilion is the home base for LA Opera, as well as occasional concerts and dance events. Last, but certainly not least, the Center includes its neighbor across the street, the previously mentioned Disney Concert Hall.

Time Out tip: Located on the Music Center’s Jerry Moss Plaza, Abernethy’s is a great option for a pre-show meal. Its unique rotating-chef model highlights the diverse flavors of L.A.’s dining scene.

Train travel has gone in and out of fashion—right now it’s in again—but the last of the great American rail stations is just as handsome as the day it opened in 1939: Union Station’s Mission-style exterior opens up into a grand waiting area with marble tiles, faux-wood-beamed ceilings and Art Deco touches. Wander through its halls and courtyards, and you’ll find a building rich with history, locomotion and—with the eventual arrival of high-speed rail and a new concourse—progress.

Time Out tip: If you have some time to kill before your train, check out the site-specific public artwork throughout the station, bus plaza and adjacent Metro headquarters—from colorful mosaics to depictions of historical Los Angeles by local artists.

We could fill an entire list with nothing but Downtown’s stunning architecture (unsurprisingly, quite a few of our picks for L.A.’s most beautiful buildings are in DTLA). Instead, we’ll point you in the direction of the nonprofit L.A. Conservancy’s acclaimed walking tours. Choose between guided tours of modern skyscrapers or the Historic Core, Art Deco towers or Broadway’s colorful marquees for insider knowledge about architectural landmarks.

Time Out tip: A five-minute drive away, the Conservancy also offers a tour of Victorian homes in Angelino Heights (first Sat of the month, 9:45am), which takes you past some gorgeous houses you’ve probably seen onscreen. Afterward, walk down the hill and grab brunch in Echo Park.

The slow, lumbering mission to turn Downtown L.A. into a vibrant cultural hub got a lift when a portion of Grand Park’s 12 acres officially opened to the public in July 2012. Dotted with fountains, picnic lawns, bright pink benches and plenty of nooks from which to sit and people-watch, Grand Park (renamed Gloria Molina Grand Park in 2023) is a bright urban oasis that proves the city has a sense of romance. The park regularly plays host to performances, holiday gatherings and other free community events.

Time Out tip: In addition to a verdant playground, kids will love running through the alternating water jets of the splash pad, which is free and open year-round.

If the Last Bookstore Downtown were really our last bookstore, the city’s literary scene would still be in good shape. It’s one of the best independent bookstores in L.A.—not to mention the world’s most-Instagrammed bookstore. Now housed in what used to be an old bank building (complete with marble columns and giant doors), this store is as popular for its stellar book selection as it is for its labyrinth of literary photo ops. 

The main branch of L.A.’s Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), located right across the street from the Broad, houses thousands of artworks crafted from 1940 until now. Spend half an hour or an entire afternoon absorbing contemporary pieces from lesser-known artists, punctuated by sightings of Mark Rothko and Jackson Pollock works. And maybe best of all: Since early 2020, admission is totally free.

Time Out tip: Nearby, in Little Tokyo, you’ll find sister institution the Geffen Contemporary, located in a humongous bus barn with interiors designed by Frank Gehry. Though their spectacle installations often require a paid ticket, they’re often sublime crowd-pleasers. 

As the oldest section of Los Angeles, where the city was first established in 1781 as a farming community, El Pueblo has an authentic, Spanish-style feel. The area comprises 26 historical structures, 11 of which are open to the public, as well as the famous (and much more touristy) Olvera Street, a narrow, pedestrian-only Mexican-inspired marketplace lined with a handful of street vendors and restaurants—taquitos from Cielito Lindo and churros are a must.

Time Out tip: Keep an eye out for the entrance to Avila Adobe, the oldest surviving residence in the city. You can take a free tour of the 1818 house or explore its courtyard and rooms on your own.

The city’s main library is worth a look even if you have no interest in borrowing books. The exterior is an Egyptian and Mediterranean beauty, topped with a dramatic, tiled pyramid tower and decorated with bas-reliefs. The most stunning features, though, reside in the second-floor rotunda, with its deco-meets-arabesque dome, California history mural and globe chandelier. There’s also a fine program of lectures and discussions in the Mark Taper Auditorium.

Time Out tip: You might not expect to go shopping in a library, but the Library Store here is one of our favorite gift shops in the city, full of L.A.-centric and literary goodies. Proceeds from purchases go toward the Library Foundation.

Angels Flight—which you may recognize from La La Land—is literally the little funicular that could: The block-long railway has weathered mechanical problems, extended closures and relocation to keep pulling passengers up Bunker Hill over a century after its initial opening. The two, tiered cars that traverse its rails offer a view of the Historic Core below, as well as an amusingly bumpy ride.

Time Out tip: While you can board Angels Flight from either Hill Street or Olive Street, we suggest the former, lest you end up hoofing it back up Fourth Street. Use your TAP card for a half-price fare.

It’s not exactly cool by any means, but as far as sports and entertainment districts, L.A. Live gets the job done. Adjacent to the Crypto.com Arena, it’s the home of the Peacock Theater, the Novo, Regal Cinemas and various bars, hotels and restaurants—almost all of them plastered with big-screen TVs. The area is jam-packed before Lakers and Kings games with tourists and locals alike. In the winter, an ice rink materializes in the middle of it all.

Time Out tip: Not into sports? Step away from the hustle and bustle for some pampering at the Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles spa, one of our favorite spas in the city.

Though you won’t find anything particularly cool at L.A. Live, you will just across the street at Level 8, a Vegas-esque assembly of eight themed restaurants, bars and clubs (about half of which have hidden entrances) from the Houston Brothers. For dinner, choose between hot pot, teppanyaki or South American barbecue from acclaimed chef Ray Garcia, or grab a light bite at the raw bar or a taco truck. The choose-your-own-adventure experience continues at the jazzy Mr. Wanderlust and luchador–themed club Sinners y Santos, which is styled as a 19th-century cathedral.

Time Out tip: Head to the roof around golden hour for a drink at the fittingly named Golden Hour—the venue’s rooftop, poolside spot whose inviting carousel bar you’ve probably seen on Instagram.

The grand, white concrete tower has stood tall as a city icon since 1928, and today it’s one of the easiest ways to take in a free view of Downtown and beyond. If you’re ever passing through the Civic Center during public hours—roughly weekdays from 9am to 5pm (enter on Main Street)—then you owe yourself a visit to the 27th-floor observation deck.

Time Out tip: While you’re there, walk around the surrounding park and look for the 1984 Olympic torch near the Spring Street exit. 

Enter the terra-cotta archway of this 1924 arcade, and you’ll find a European-style glass-roofed alleyway dotted with restaurants and shops. The crowds are still lighter than at Grand Central Market, and the few food offerings here are pretty strong. Stop by Guisados for a chorizo taco and some agua fresca, Blu Jam Cafe for brunch, or have a scoop at Uli’s Gelato. If you’re in the mood for a glass of wine, step into Garçons de Cafe, a wine bar and boutique that instantly transports you to Paris—adjoining French restaurant L’Appart is pretty top-notch, too.

Time Out tip: A short stroll away, you’ll find a location of vegan doughnut shop Donut Friend and the historic, whimsy-filled Clifton’s Republic.

Wind your way through four floors of rock-star memorabilia, film clips, red-carpet fashions and interactive exhibits at this 30,000-square-foot museum. Look out for the musical-genre-spanning exhibitions at the L.A. Live institution, as well as intimate performances from remarkably popular musicians in the 200-seat Clive Davis Theater. Oh and admission is now free for kids and teens under 18.

Time Out tip: Plan a visit to check out the new ongoing exhibition “Sonic Playground,” where you can DJ, create beats, play instruments, sing your heart out in a recording studio, craft soundtracks for video games and more.

Visit the Original L.A. Flower Market in—where else?—the Flower District. Restaurateurs, wedding planners, florists and botany geeks (and some tourists) make up the early-morning hustle and bustle among rows of flowers, plants and floral accessories from around the world. The market opens at 5am every day (except Sunday, when it’s closed), and admission is $2. Come a bit later to grab a bouquet for a friend, take some great pictures or just indulge your senses. Just a heads up: The surrounding area, which borders Skid Row, isn’t particularly inviting, so make use of the market’s secured parking garage.

Time Out tip: Keep the floral vibes going at the flower-forward Poppy + Rose just across the street, which is renowned for its chicken and waffles.

While you certainly won’t confuse it with that Broadway, Downtown’s historic theater district harbors over a century of cultural history. A dozen movie palaces, many dating back to the early 1900s and almost all decked out with neon signs, currently reside on the street, some in better shape than others. The area as a whole has been the center of massive redevlopment efforts, kickstarted in the 2010s by the former Ace Hotel and its orbit of shops and restaurants on one end and Grand Central Market on the other. You’ll find a steady slate of screenings and concerts at the United Theater, plus semi-frequent ones at the Orphuem Theatre. Aside from those, look out for the occasional show at the Globe Theatre, Los Angeles Theatre and Million Dollar Theater—sites of the L.A. Conservancy’s popular summer series Last Remaining Seats.

Time Out tip: Make sure to step inside the revived Tower Theatre, which has been turned into an Apple Store but has nearly all of the original details intact.

Though this Spanish-inspired plaza has seen better days—blame it on a postmodern makeover and some pungent stretches of pavement—it remains Downtown’s central public space. The park hosts events throughout the year, including summer concerts and a winter ice skating rink, but it’s worth a quick visit just for the views of the surrounding 1920s- and ’30s-built edifices. It’s currently in the early stages of a years-long revitalization project.

Time Out tip: The original trendy spot to see and be seen at, Perch, is still one of the prettiest rooftop bars in town, and it offers aerial views of Pershing Square across the street.

Where do you even begin? No, really: Each entrance into this city-block–size edifice sits on a different level of the street. Its featureless foundation and glassy cylindrical towers appear nearly identical from all angles, save for pedestrian skywalks that jut out from each direction. Venture inside the glassy hotel, built in the 1970s and featured in ’90s flicks True Lies and the Johnny Depp starrer Nick of Time, and you’ll find yourself lost in a labyrinth of lounges and elevator banks.

Time Out tip: The hotel’s 34th-floor BonaVista Lounge offers a rotating view of the city, a la Seattle’s Space Needle. Sure, it’s a little cheesy—moderately priced specialty drinks are served in souvenir glasses—but it is a fun, classic L.A. thing to do.

Over in the Arts District, this former flour mill houses a rotating collection of contemporary art, plus on-site restaurant Manuela and an Artbook store. Though it’s technically a gallery, you’ll probably walk away thinking it’s a museum: The 116,000-square-foot complex—which is in itself destination-worthy—houses up to three exhibitions at a time, with a mix of post-war contemporary icons and of-the-moment working artists.

Time Out tip: Stop by early on a weekend for Southern-inspired brunch—chef Kris Tominaga’s flaky biscuits are arguably the best in the city—and be sure to stroll through the adjacent garden full of chickens.