Los Angeles is so different from every other big city. Beaches? Check. Mountains? Check. Desert? Yup. Amazing architecture? Also, check. Cool neighborhoods? Of course. It has something in common, though, with every other big city and that’s a thriving downtown area.

Up until a few years ago, Downtown LA was known as a neighborhood where Angelenos worked but never spent time in, creating a neighborhood that was bustling during the day but pretty dead at night. That has changed. Downtown now has some of the best breweries in town, delicious restaurants, incredible museums, and rooftop bars with amazing views of the whole city. Big-city people coming from Chicago and New York City will feel right at home in Downtown LA and tourists from all over admire the neighborhood’s attractions and breathtaking views of the city. Plus, all trains lead to Downtown, so it’s accessible to everyone. Here are some of my favorite spots in Downtown LA: 

Explore Your Fashionista Side In The Fashion District

Photo by Santee Alley / CC BY-SA

Looking for a new outfit and a hot dog from one of the most well-known food trucks in the city? Look no further than the Fashion District. This area is covered in posh boutiques, photo studios, fabric vendors, and shoe stores. I personally love to grab some fresh fruit from a vendor and just explore because you never know what you’ll find. The bright colors and sparkles from all the fabrics makes for a nice little stroll. If you stumble into one of the stores throughout the district, you can find cheap and cute fashion finds (like all the gold hoops you’ve ever dreamt of). For beginners in the Fashion District, I would recommend just strolling down Santee Alley. I guarantee you’ll find at least a great new pair of sunglasses.

Cool Down With Salt & Straw

Photo by Maddie Silverstein

Where to begin with Salt & Straw? If you want funky flavors and delicious chunks, then you’ll want to head to this venerated shop. This ice cream shop, which has multiple locations across LA and Portland, serves flavors like honey lavender and almond brittle with salted ganache, but they also serve seasonal flavors. These aren’t your average pumpkin spice flavors. Whether its spiced goat cheese and pumpkin pie or buttered mashed potatoes and gravy, this is a place that’s not scared of experimenting. Don’t pass on Salt & Straw for a delicious and eclectic experience. 

Chill With Businessmen, Drifters, and Dogs in Downtown Parks

Photo by Maddie Silverstein

Pershing Square and other neighborhood parks may not be as nice as some of our other parks, but what they lack in nature they make up for in character (also in free WiFi). I love to bumble around the different Downtown LA parks and check out the different art and installations in each. Pershing Square also has free concerts throughout the year, which are really fun to attend and take place in the heart of Downtown.

Chow Down With Some Gourmet Tacos

Photo by Maddie Silverstein

Don’t get me wrong, there are some amazing taco trucks and stands in Downtown LA that have been around forever, but there are also some really great spots that have a modern flair on traditional dishes. For some handmade blue corn tortillas, I always head to BS Taqueria right in the heart of Downtown. BS Taqueria has a great selection of tacos from fish to garlic to mushroom (for the record, I’m a chorizo and carnitas kind of girl). The tacos are served on thick and fresh tortillas that won’t disappoint. You can also get yummy and spicy durito wheels for $2 to accompany their impressively strong margaritas.

See The Sun Set Across Los Angeles

Photo by Maddie Silverstein

Big buildings mean big views. There are a lot of great rooftop bars in Downtown either attached to hotels or high-rise office buildings. Perch has some of the best views accompanied with great seating and greenery on its rooftop, which explains the long lines on weeknights and weekends. If you really want to soak in everything that LA has to offer, though, then you have to hit up one of the rooftop bars with a pool.

Upstairs at the Ace Hotel is like a little oasis in the sky of Downtown LA due to its vibe. It also has a great pool that you can hang out in day or night. For a more intimate bar with a more tropical vibes and fun drink names (including B*tch, Don’t Kill My Vibe), head to Broken Shaker at the Freehand Hotel. Broken Shaker has incredible views of the city and a little pool that you can dip your feet in. Watching the sunset from Broken Shaker as the buildings go from their cool tones to an orange-pink hue is the perfect way to unwind from a busy LA life.

 

Maddie Silverstein is a fashion blogger, model, and comedian based in Los Angeles. Follow her blog and Instagram for jokes, great outfits, and other SoCal adventures.