Downtown Los Angeles Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Downtown Los Angeles
Once associated with the sort of hustle and bustle common to most urban areas, today the emphasis is firmly placed on a vibrant culture and green spaces.

There is a vast number of attractions on offer for visitors in this particular part of Los Angeles. Whether you’re interested in historical artifacts and dinosaur bones in the Natural History Museum, you wish to cast your eye over the architecturally exquisite Chinatown, or prefer to experience the Mexican district of Olvera street, with its authentic music, cuisine and traditions, there is something for everyone in Downtown LA, an area crammed with cultural, ethnic and historical experiences for all the family.

Downtown LA is a vast area, made up of sixteen distinctive districts spread over 21 square kilometres. Among them is the Fashion District, where you can pick up up-to-the-minute fashions, and Bunker Hill, a wonderful cultural enclave. For the sights, sounds and tastes of the East, head to Chinatown and Little Tokyo, where you can authentic local delicacies like sliced eel, taquitos and sushi.

It’s not merely culture, shopping and food that can be consumed in Downtown Los Angeles, there’s also a rich architectural heritage to digest as well. As with the United States’ other iconic city, New York, there are rows of impressive, gleaming skyscrapers, but there are other less obvious jewels in the LA architectural crown as well. Union Square offers a mix of art deco and Spanish Colonial buildings, while the Walt Disney Concert Hall is notable for its unique stainless steel appearance.

Children absolutely love the Natural History Museum, which features a particularly rich collection of dinosaur skeletons. The California Science Centre is also a favourite with families with its collection of interactive exhibits, exciting shows and spectacles that give a real insight into how the universe operates.

While LA has the reputation of being a concrete jungle, it in fact has its fair share of green spaces and parks the perfect place to relax for a while and enjoy a more peaceful environment away from the fast-paced life of Los Angeles. Downtown really has so much to offer visitors and is an unmissable part of any trip to LA.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Downtown Los Angeles Hotel Deals

citizenM Los Angeles Downtown
citizenM Los Angeles Downtown
4 out of 5
361 South Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA
The price is AU$226 per night from 2 Apr to 3 Apr
AU$226
per night
2 Apr - 3 Apr
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Los Angeles. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,682 reviews)
"Will be back again"

Reviewed on 27 Mar. 2024

citizenM Los Angeles Downtown
E-Central Downtown Los Angeles Hotel
E-Central Downtown Los Angeles Hotel
4 out of 5
1020 S Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
The price is AU$298 per night from 2 Apr to 3 Apr
AU$298
per night
2 Apr - 3 Apr
Stay at this boutique hotel in Los Angeles. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and valet parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,040 reviews)
"Nice modern design. Fully equipped showers! (Rainhead and hand-held spray)"

Reviewed on 27 Mar. 2024

E-Central Downtown Los Angeles Hotel
The Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites, Los Angeles
The Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites, Los Angeles
4 out of 5
404 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA
The price is AU$305 per night from 3 Apr to 4 Apr
AU$305
per night
3 Apr - 4 Apr
Stay at this spa hotel in Los Angeles. Enjoy free WiFi, 3 restaurants, and 3 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (2,932 reviews)
"Everything was great, valet parking is pretty much forced on you at $49 per night and you gotta’ tip every time they get your car for you so have cash handy I wasn’t prepared for that. I thought it was just standard self park at the property. We got a room with a beautiful city view with two beds, ..."

Reviewed on 26 Mar. 2024

The Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites, Los Angeles
Freehand Los Angeles
Freehand Los Angeles
4 out of 5
416 W 8th St, Los Angeles, CA
The price is AU$274 per night from 3 Apr to 4 Apr
AU$274
per night
3 Apr - 4 Apr
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Los Angeles. Enjoy free WiFi, 3 restaurants, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,361 reviews)
Comfortable stay downtown
"When we arrived at the freehand, we were able to use valet parking, although expensive, extremely convenient. Our corner room was clean and comfortable… Personally, I found the bed to not have great support, and the pillows were too thick. The hotel lobby was great and had a cool vibe. Overall, we ..."

Reviewed on 28 Mar. 2024

Freehand Los Angeles
Omni Los Angeles Hotel at California Plaza
Omni Los Angeles Hotel at California Plaza
4.5 out of 5
251 S Olive St, Los Angeles, CA
The price is AU$320 per night from 14 Apr to 15 Apr
AU$320
per night
14 Apr - 15 Apr
Stay at this luxury hotel in Los Angeles. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,853 reviews)
5 star service at Omni Los Angeles
"Great experience since the arrival. Front desk are great , specially Alexandra! Hopefully management team can keep supporting her development."

Reviewed on 27 Mar. 2024

Omni Los Angeles Hotel at California Plaza
InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown, an IHG Hotel
InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown, an IHG Hotel
4.5 out of 5
900 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
Fully refundable
The price is AU$399 per night from 7 Apr to 8 Apr
AU$399
per night
7 Apr - 8 Apr
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Los Angeles. Enjoy free WiFi, 5 restaurants, and breakfast. Our guests praise the pool and the bar in our reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,478 reviews)
"Excellent customer service, thank you Marcelo."

Reviewed on 27 Mar. 2024

InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown, an IHG Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Downtown Los Angeles

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Silver Lake

Lake views, live music and theatres are just a few things travellers enjoy about Silver Lake. Check out Melrose Avenue or Naya's Garden while you're exploring the area.

Silver Lake
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Koreatown

Travellers choose Koreatown for its abundant dining options. Hop aboard the metro at Wilshire - Western Station or Wilshire - Normandie Station and check out top sights like Wiltern Theatre.

Koreatown
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Los Feliz

You'll enjoy the coffee shops and architecture in Los Feliz. You might want to make time for a stop at Hollywood Boulevard or Griffith Park.

Los Feliz
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Commerce

Commerce is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Citadel Outlets or Commerce Casino.

Commerce
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Hollywood

4/5(294 area reviews)

Travellers love Hollywood for its popular shops, and you can see more of Los Angeles by jumping on the metro at Hollywood - Vine Station or Hollywood - Highland Station. You might spend time checking out top sights like Hollywood Walk of Fame and Hollywood Boulevard.

Hollywood
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Mid City

4/5(1 area review)

While you're in Mid City, take in top sights like Koreatown Plaza and jump on the metro at Wilshire - Vermont Station to see more of the city.

Mid City


Downtown Los Angeles Travel Guide

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