12+ Fantastic Things to Do in Downtown Los Angeles

Downtown Los Angeles is so much more than business buildings and skyscrapers. There are many opportunities to see some amazing sites and eat some great food. The sites and activities here could keep visitors busy for several days. If you have limited time, I recommend choosing a couple of places that stand out most to you to visit since there are so many things to do in Downtown Los Angeles. Visitors can cram a lot into one day in Downtown Los Angeles. DTLA is also a fantastic place to base yourself to see other parts of LA as you can catch the metro to several other areas. 

US Ghost Adventures is an awesome company that offers a variety of guided tours and haunted experiences across different cities in the United States. Visitors can learn the compelling history and stories of the paranormal and the city’s darker side. Make sure to check out the variety of tours offered in Los Angeles here. They are very affordable too!

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Transportation in DTLA

Most of the sites in Downtown Los Angeles are within walking distance of one another. If you do not feel like walking between some of the sites, the metro can take you to many of them as well. There is no need for a car as long as you are only staying in the Downtown Los Angeles area. If you choose to bring a car, I recommend parking in the Pershing Square lot. If you choose to use the metro, each ride costs $1.75.

Where to Stay in DTLA

TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Search for the best Los Angeles hotels here!

Los Angeles can be a very expensive place to stay, so expect to pay a minimum of $150 per night. I recommend staying in the Downtown area as it does have a ton of amazing hotels right in the middle of everything.

Some of the best Los Angeles include the following. *means it is one of my favorites.

• Hilton Checkers Hotel
• The Westin Bonaventure Hotel*
• Hotel Figueroa
• Freehand Los Angeles
• Omni Los Angeles
• Intercontinental Los Angeles Downtown
• DoubleTree by Hilton Los Angeles Downtown
• Biltmore Los Angeles*
• The Hoxton, Downtown LA

GoCity Pass

GoCity offers a ton of different sightseeing passes for cities around the world. These passes allow you to visit the best of each city for one low price, rather than paying individually for each attraction. I have used it in several cities around the world and would recommend getting a GoCity pass! Check out the options for the Los Angeles GoCity pass here.

Things to Do in Downtown Los Angeles

Want a tour but want to go at your own pace? Check out this DTLA Self-Guided Audio Tour. You could also do this Best of LA Tour.

1. Angel’s Flight

Cost: $1

Hours: 6:45am-10pm

Angel’s Flight is a funicular that takes visitors to the top of Bunker Hill. It is over 100 years old and is considered the steepest funicular in the world. Best of all, it only costs $1 each way to ride it. It is a fun thing to do in Downtown Los Angeles.

2. The Broad

Cost: Free

Hours: Tues & Wed: 11am-5pm, Thur & Fri: 11am-8pm, Sat: 10am-8pm, Sun: 10am-6pm

This is a contemporary art museum that houses the popular Infinity Mirrored Room exhibit by Yayoi Kusama. It opened in 2015, so it is still a more recent addition to Downtown Los Angeles. Tickets are free, but sometimes they tickets sell out so make sure to reserve tickets several weeks in advance. There is also a stand-by line outside, but you are not guaranteed entrance. There is also a collection of Andy Warhol paintings.

3. Chinatown

Cost: Free

Hours: Generally 10am-6pm with restaurants open later, but varies by location

Chinatown is a great place to go for a stroll. It is full of Chinese style buildings, delicious restaurants, and temples. It is a fantastic place to grab some Dim Sum. Los Angeles’ Chinatown came about in June 1938 and is conveniently located near Union Station.

4. Dodger Stadium

Cost: Tickets start at $17

A visit to Downtown Los Angeles is not complete without a Dodger game. Dodger Stadium opened in 1962, is the oldest ballpark on the west coast, and the third oldest out of all the MLB stadiums. This stadium is perched at the top of a hill and offers views of Los Angeles in some spots. Make sure to check sites like StubHub and Vivid Seats for tickets because a lot of times they are cheaper on those sites than through the MLB site. During the off-season, visitors can take tours of the stadium.

5. Grammy Museum

Cost: $15 general admission

Hours: Sun-Thus: 10:30am-6:30pm, Fri-Sat: 10am-8pm, Closed Tuesdays

The Grammy Museum, established in 2008, it teaches about this history and recipients of the Grammy Awards. It is very interactive with touch-screen exhibits and recording booths. It is the perfect stop before an event at the Staples Center. 

6. The Last Bookstore

Cost: Free

Hours: Sun-Thurs: 10am-10pm, Fri-Sat: 10am-11pm

This independent bookstore is famous for its unique designs inside using the books. The Last Bookstore began in 2005 in a loft downtown. It then expanded to the 22,000-square-foot place they have today. They have tunnels built using books and some cute other displays that are perfect for the gram! It is California’s largest bookstore and they sell both new and used books. 

7. LA Live

Cost: Free

Hours: Varies by place

This area is right next to the Staples Center. It hosts different events throughout the year as well as offers visitors a plethora of restaurants to choose from. It is a convenient place to grab a bite to eat before an event at the Staples Center. 

8. Little Tokyo

Cost: Free

Little Tokyo transports visitors to Tokyo. This area was established in 1905 and contains many temples, gardens, shops, and restaurants to view while walking around this area. The Japanese American National Museum and a section of the Contemporary Museum of Art are also located in Little Tokyo. There are only three Japantowns in the United States, and all of them are located in California!

9. Olvera Street

Cost: Free

Hours: Varies by place

Olvera Street is part of the historic part of Los Angeles and one of the oldest historic monuments. It has been around in some form since Los Angeles’ establishment in 1781. It officially got its name in 1877. Present-day, this street contains a Mexican marketplace, some amazing Mexican restaurants, and several historical sites.

10. OUE Skyspace

Cost: $25 General Admission plus $8 for the slide

Hours: Daily 10am-10pm

The Skyspace offers two floors of amazing 360-degree views of Downtown Los Angeles and the surrounding areas. On a clear day, you can see the ocean. They even have a 45-foot glass-enclosed slide that is about 1,000 feet off the ground to slide down. Take your time and relax on the balconies with a drink from the bar. Visit in the evening to get both the daytime, sunset, and nighttime views. Teacher tip: Buy tickets ahead of time for a discount or make sure to check places like Goldstar and Groupon.  

11. Crypto Arena (Formerly the Staples Center)

Cost: Lakers tickets start at $64, Kings tickets start at $15

Hours: Varies by event

This arena first opened in 1999 and is the home venue to many sports teams. Whether you would like to see a Lakers game, a King’s game, or see a concert, the Staples Center offers a plethora of entertainment options all year-round. It is conveniently located next to LA Live where you can grab some food and drinks before the show.

12. Walt Disney Concert Hall

Cost: Tickets start at $50

The interestingly shaped Walt Disney Concert Hall is home to the LA Philharmonic. Their season is usually during the winter months. If you are into classical music, this theater is a must-see! They also have a free rooftop garden that anyone can access.

Where to Eat in Downtown Los Angeles

There are so many amazing restaurants to eat at in Downtown Los Angeles. Some are relatively inexpensive, others make for a nice treat.

Grand Central Market

Cost: $$

Grand Central Market in Downtown Los Angeles is full of mouth-watering places to eat. It is a perfect choice if you have a larger group or picky eaters. There are a plethora of stalls to choose from and communal tables throughout the complex. My personal favorites are the BBQ place and the grilled cheese stall. 

Mendocino Farms

Cost: $$

This place mostly sells sandwiches and everything is farm fresh. You can even order online ahead of time. There are several locations throughout California, but the original is located on Bunker Hill in Downtown Los Angeles. 

Nick & Stef’s

Cost: $$$

This high-end steakhouse if a fantastic place to go for a special meal. The steaks are exquisite. For the budget-friendly traveler, there is also a reasonable happy hour in the bar area. 

Nimbus Coffee

Cost: $

This magic coffee shop serves some Harry Potter-esque items. It is the perfect stop for a pick me up in the morning. The atmosphere is the best part and a delicious coffee helps. 

Otium

Cost: $$$

Otium is a contemporary restaurant located near the Walt Disney Concert Hall. The majority of the dishes are made to share. It can get busy on the weekends so make sure to make reservations. Make sure to try the black truffle gnocchi.

Pitchoun!

Cost: $-$$

This French bakery is my go-to place for breakfast in Downtown Los Angeles. They also have an assortment of French pastries and coffee beverages that are amazing. The owners were originally from France. 

Public School 213

Cost: $$

This restaurant is the perfect place for a teacher (or anyone) to grab a bite to eat. They have a fabulous happy hour and an extensive rotating tap list. Make sure to try the peanut butter and jelly burger. It may sound weird but it is actually really delicious!

Spitz

Cost: $$

Spitz is a Mediterranean Street Food restaurant with amazing fries. They offer bowls, doner wraps, salads, and a variety of fries. Vegetarians can opt to get falafel instead of meat on any of the choices. The Street Cart Donner is one of the most popular options.

Umami Burger

Cost: $$

Umami Burger can be found all around the Los Angeles area. They have a wide variety of burger choices and their sweet potato fries and truffle fries are a must-try. The service is usually pretty quick even when they are busy. 

For some other exciting places to eat, check out the Downtown Los Angeles Food Tour I went on. 

Best Bars in Downtown Los Angeles

Los Angeles is home to some unique bars that are great places to grab a drink before or after dinner. Since the weather in California is so nice year-round, there are a ton of rooftop bars with fantastic views of DTLA.

Angel City Brewery

Angel City Brewery is an excellent place to hang out with a group. The facility is massive and even when it is busy and crowded, it still feels like there is a lot of space. They brew a wide variety of beers and oftentimes have a live band or host special events. Most of the time a food truck is there in case you get hungry. 

Arts District Brewing Company

The Arts District Brewing Company is a newer brewery in the Arts District area. It is a decent-sized place with at least 10 skee ball alleys to keep you entertained. Their tap list is pretty extensive and they offer a wide variety of types of beer. I enjoyed several of their sour beers. They also offer light bites to eat.

Broken Shaker

Broken Shaker is one of the top cocktail bars in Downtown Los Angeles. It is at the top of the Freehand hotel. Guests can swim in the rooftop pool during daylight hours, but anyone can catch the views from the rooftop bar. Their signature drinks are LA themed and they also serve light bites to eat. 

Casey’s Irish Pub

Casey’s is a fun stop if you would like a more chill atmosphere. They have a fantastic happy hour and some great bar eats. It can get a bit loud and crowded later in the evening, so I recommend stopping earlier in the evening. 

Cliftons

This bar has 5 different levels of fun. The bottom floor is a cafeteria that is great for a bite to eat throughout the day. The second floor has a nature and redwood tree theme to it. The third floor is considered the elegant area which sometimes has a live band and a dance floor. The fourth level is a bit darker and mysterious with a gothic theme. The top-level is a tiki bar. If you would like to enjoy the tiki bar, make sure to get there early or make reservations, or you will not be able to get in. Also, there is a cover charge after 10pm and make a note of the dress code. 

The Edison

The Edison was once a power plant that is now a bar. They are popular for their absinthe and live music. Make sure to take note of their dress code before going. The Edison also serves some light bites to eat. 

Library Bar

This Library themed bar will make you feel like you are in a fancy study. With lots of cozy leather chairs and literature themed drinks, this is the perfect place to chill or start the night. Make sure to try the Adventures of Blackberry Finn. 

Perch

Perch is a well-known rooftop bar in Downtown Los Angeles. On the weekends, they have a fabulous brunch, but make sure to make reservations in order to get a spot! There is also often live music, and a bar area if you just want to grab drinks. 

Downtown Los Angeles can be a fun area to spend a long weekend or a couple of days on a California trip. There is a ton of things visitors can do in one day in Downtown Los Angeles. It actually has a lot of budget-friendly stops to offer and fantastic places to eat. What are some of your favorite things to do in Downtown Los Angeles?

Have more than one day in the Downtown Los Angeles area? Check out these other guides for more fun in the Los Angeles area!

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Warner Brothers Studio Tour

The Best California Road Trips

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