Things to Do in Downtown LA: The Complete DTLA Guide

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Downtown Los Angeles has more to do per square mile than any other part of the city. World-class museums, historic theaters, rooftop bars, street art, markets, parks, and architecture — all within walking distance. Here is what is worth your time, organized by what kind of experience you want.

Museums and Galleries

  • The Broad — Free contemporary art museum with work by Koons, Basquiat, Warhol, and Kusama. The Infinity Mirror Room requires a separate timed ticket. Reserve online to skip the walk-up line.
  • MOCA Grand Avenue — The Museum of Contemporary Art’s flagship location. The permanent collection spans the 1940s to today. Free on Thursdays.
  • Japanese American National Museum (Little Tokyo) — The only museum in the US dedicated to the Japanese American experience. Powerful, well-curated, and essential. Free every Thursday.
  • GRAMMY Museum — Interactive exhibits on the history of recorded music. The instrument rooms and vocal booths are unexpectedly fun.
  • Chinese American Museum (El Pueblo) — Small museum in the oldest part of LA, covering 150 years of Chinese American history in Southern California. Free admission.
  • Hauser & Wirth (Arts District) — Global gallery in a converted flour mill. Free, with rotating exhibitions and a courtyard garden.

Landmarks and Architecture

  • Walt Disney Concert Hall — Frank Gehry’s stainless steel masterpiece. Free self-guided audio tours most days. The rooftop garden is open to the public and free.
  • Los Angeles City Hall — The observation deck on the 27th floor is free and open to the public on weekdays. Views in every direction.
  • Union Station — The last great railway station built in the US (1939). The main hall’s architecture alone is worth the visit. Free to walk through.
  • Angels Flight Railway — The world’s shortest railway, connecting Hill Street to Grand Avenue since 1901 (with interruptions). One dollar per ride.
  • Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels — Modern cathedral by Rafael Moneo. The tapestries and alabaster-filtered light are striking whether or not you are religious.
  • The Biltmore — The lobby is one of the most ornate rooms in Los Angeles. Walk in, look up. No reservation needed to explore the public spaces.

Parks and Outdoor

  • Grand Park — Twelve acres from City Hall to the Music Center. The pink garden section is worth finding. Works best as a midday break or pre-dinner walk.

Food and Markets

  • Grand Central Market — Over 30 food vendors in a 1917 building on Broadway. The most efficient way to eat well in DTLA. Tacos, Thai, ramen, pupusas, egg sandwiches.
  • Fugetsu-Do (Little Tokyo) — Handmade mochi since 1903. Three generations of the same family. This is living history you can eat.
  • Philippe The Original — French dip sandwiches since 1908. Sawdust floors, communal tables, and a lamb dip that has not changed.

For the full restaurant guide, see Best Restaurants in Downtown LA.

Shopping

  • The Last Bookstore — The most photographed bookstore in LA. The book tunnels on the second floor are the draw. Free to browse.
  • ROW DTLA — Restored industrial complex with retail, dining, and weekend markets.
  • FIGat7th — Open-air shopping center on Figueroa. Mainstream retail in a walkable format.
  • Kinokuniya (Little Tokyo) — Japanese bookstore with manga, stationery, and art supplies. Worth a browse even if you do not read Japanese.
  • Southern California Flower Market — Open to the public after 6 AM. Buy flowers at wholesale-adjacent prices in a building that has been here since 1923.

Nightlife

  • Perch — Rooftop bar with skyline views from 15 stories up. Go at sunset.
  • EightyTwo — Arcade bar with 50+ vintage games. No cover.
  • Golden Gopher — Dive bar with a patio. The opposite of pretentious.
  • Caña Rum Bar — Over 300 rums. The daiquiri is the test.

Historic Theaters

Broadway between 3rd and 9th was once the densest theater district in the world. Several venues are being restored and host events:

  • Orpheum Theatre — French Renaissance interior, built 1926. Now hosts concerts and film screenings.
  • Los Angeles Theatre — The most ornate movie palace on Broadway. Limited public access through occasional tours and events.
  • Palace Theatre — Restored and used for private events, film shoots, and occasional public programming.
  • The United Theater on Broadway — Ace Hotel’s theater, hosting music, comedy, and film.

By Neighborhood

DTLA is a collection of distinct neighborhoods, each walkable:

  • Arts District: Galleries, murals, restaurants, breweries. Read our Arts District guide.
  • Little Tokyo: Japanese American culture, food, and shopping. Read our Little Tokyo guide.
  • Broadway / Historic Core: Grand Central Market, historic theaters, The Last Bookstore.
  • Bunker Hill: The Broad, Disney Hall, MOCA, Grand Park. The cultural center.
  • Chinatown: Philippe’s, Yang Chow, Phoenix Bakery. Historic and affordable.

For the full directory, browse all DTLA businesses and attractions.

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