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Culture July 18, 2019
Who needs Rodeo Drive and Disneyland when you can explore the hidden gems of downtown LA?
Whether you are a local of Los Angeles, just visiting, or here for work or an internship, there is so much to do in LA. While Los Angeles is often known for the iconic sites like Rodeo Drive, Universal Studios, the Hollywood sign, and Disneyland, the many great sites and attractions of Downtown Los Angeles are often ignored and overlooked. According to the top travel websites, here are nineteen fun things to do in Downtown LA.
Olvera Street, known as “the birthplace of Los Angeles,” is a Mexican marketplace with mariachi music, restaurants, cafes, and street vendors selling a wide variety of souvenirs, crafts, and other goods. Open seven days a week with free admission, this marketplace is a great way to get a taste of Mexican culture. This is by far one of the most fun things to do in Downtown LA.
FIGat7th is one of downtown’s busiest shopping centers with many popular stores like Target, H&M, and Zara, as well as a food court with eateries including Five Guys, Sprinkles Cupcakes, The Melt, and Pazzo Gelato.
Pack a little picnic and soak in the sun at Downtown LA’s Grand Park. Whether you sit on one of their many bright pink benches or splash around in the fountain, checking out Grand Park is a perfect way to get some fresh air and escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a little while. They even host fun community events like performances, yoga classes, and food truck lunches.
Once a month, the Downtown Independent Theater Channel 101 hosts screenings to showcase submitted television pilots. Not only are these screenings free, but the audience also gets to vote on which pilots should get picked up for more episodes to be aired for the following month. How cool is that?
If you are interested in expanding your mind and experiencing new cultures, then pop by MOCA, also known as the Museum of Contemporary Art. For a small fee (unless you visit on Thursdays from five to eight), the Museum of Contemporary Art educates people about art through programs, exhibitions and thousands of art pieces from both famous artists and lesser-known artists alike.
The Last Bookstore is not your traditional bookstore. Not only do they have helves of books in a wide range of subjects from fiction to science to self-help, but they also have records, magazines, and literature artwork displays that are sure to make your Instagram stand out.
Head on over to the industrial area of Downtown LA to check out the vibrant and exciting Arts District. The Arts District consists of a few blocks of the city that are packed with murals, street art and galleries that are sure to inspire and excite you.
Open seven days a week, Grand Central Market is a great place to allow your inner foodie to come out and play. Not only do they sell fresh produce, but they also have a wide variety of diverse and delicious food including burritos, ramen, oysters, barbecue, and even peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
Get all dressed up and head on over to the beautiful Biltmore Hotel on either a Saturday or Sunday afternoon from 2-5pm for afternoon tea. Nibble on some sandwiches and pastries while admiring the hotel’s beautiful architecture.
There are many night clubs and bars in Downtown LA that are worth visiting. Whether you check out a rooftop bar like the Rooftop Bar at Standard Hotel or an arcade and food truck bar like EightyTwo, you most certainly will have a fun night out.
Interested in cheering on your favorite sports teams? Check out Staples Center, home to many popular sports teams including the LA Lakers, LA Clippers, LA Kings, and LA Sparks. If sports aren’t your thing, check out their concerts, performances, and other events.
The next fun thing to do in downtown LA is to visit the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Opened in 2003, the Walt Disney Concert Hall is a beautiful venue with twisted and unique architecture as well as a theatre, restaurant and rooftop garden. Once you are finished exploring, check out a show from the LA Philharmonic.
Although the wait can sometimes be long, it is completely worth it as The Broad is not only a free museum, but it has so many inspiring and unique art exhibits. Some of their most popular with art installations include a giant table and chairs, a balloon dog and infinity mirrors, all of which are sure to spice up your Instagram page.
Do some damage and eat some ice cream at Little Damage, a small family-owned ice cream shop in Downtown LA. From charcoal black cones with a wide variety of ice cream flavors to a cute photo booth, Little Damage is the perfect place to get a treat with friends or family.
If soft serve ice cream isn’t your thing, you can always grab a scoop of gelato at the Spring Arcade Building. The Spring Arcade Building was built in 1924, and has a great variety of eateries to try including chorizo tacos from Guisados, bao from Rice Box, as well as delicious gelato from Gelateria Uli. If you want to learn about more ice cream and gelato shops in LA, click here.
The Grammy Museum is a 30,000 square-foot museum filled with music tokens, keepsakes, film clips, and interactive exhibits. This four-floor museum with exhibits in almost all music genres is the perfect place for any music lover to visit.
If you cannot afford to actually go to Japan, Little Tokyo is a great place to start. Little Tokyo is in the heart of Downtown LA. The area is perfect for checking out the sights, shopping, and trying exciting new food. Whether you pick up some cute things at the Japanese Village Plaza Mall or rent a space to sing some karaoke, you are sure to have a good time.
Get a whole new view of the city by visiting OUE Skyscape LA, an incredible open-air observation deck where you can see popular landmarks like the Hollywood Sign. The best part? The Skyslide, an all-glass slide ride almost 1000 feet above downtown LA that allows you to see the city in a whole new way.
The Fashion District is a hot spot to shop for clothes, accessories, and fabrics at great prices. While you are there, make sure to check out The Fashion Institute for Design and Merchandising which has exhibits for costumes from movies and television shows as well as the Santee Alley Flea Market, with stores selling a wide range of goods including clothes, accessories, and souvenirs.
Downtown Los Angeles is often an underrated area. But we’re looking to change that. These fun things to do in Downtown LA show that there are activities places to explore. But more importantly, this area is crackling with culture, food, entertainment, art, and culture. So what are you waiting for? Explore Downtown LA now!
