WORDS & PICTURES: Imogen Green
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Downtown Los Angeles is a place where old and new collide, where history and modernity meet. With its towering skyscrapers and streets awash with activity, downtown Los Angeles could easily be mistaken for the Lower East Side of New York. Over the past few years, thanks to significant funding and regeneration projects, DTLA is on the rise and has fast become the place to visit for hotels, art galleries, artisan breweries, and independent shops.
As a result of this transformation, DTLA is a place where people come to work, play, and stay. But in spite of this, the district has proudly retained its historic landmarks, like the Last Bookstore, MOCA, and the Angels Railway, which all act as reminders of both the city’s past and its vibrant present. With more development on the horizon, downtown Los Angeles is on the rise; 24 hours is the perfect amount of time to catch a glimpse of all this hotspot has to offer.
To find out more about LA, visit discoverlosangeles.com.
A PLACE TO STAY
AC Hotel and Moxy Hotel
If you’re looking for an upscale, trendy lifestyle hotel, the AC and the Moxy are the ones to check in to. Established in 2023, they offer two different experiences in a single spot; one is a hive of activity, the other a sanctuary of peace. Two hotels under one roof means double the benefits. The Moxy is the place to be if you want to be in the thick of the action. With its modern bar and coworking space, you’ll have everything you need within easy reach.
The AC, on the other hand, is a more tranquil option. Located on the 34th floor, it’s an architectural haven filled with olive trees, muted tones, and the scent of sandalwood. Adjacent to the AC Hotel’s sky restaurant is La Lo La: a social tapas restaurant with live music most days. The views from this rooftop are simply breathtaking; on a clear day, you can watch the sun set behind the Hollywood Hills and even glimpse as far as Catalina Island. It’s an unforgettable sight that will stay with you long after you leave.
Rooms at Moxy DTLA start from $189 per night, with rooms at AC DTLA from $209 per night.
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CULTURE + CUISINE
Grand Central Market
Foodies and culinary experts alike should make sure to check out Grand Central Market: the perfect street food stop worthy of all the attention it’s garnered since opening. The market is located in a beautiful building constructed in 1917, whose original purpose was to act as a hub where people could buy their groceries from local producers. Now a sprawling food hall, it’s home to over 100 vendors serving everything from tacos and dumplings to ice cream and sweet treats. It’s the perfect place to sample the best of LA’s diverse cuisine, fresh from the hands, hob, or grill of its chefs.
Olvera Street
Next, take a walk down Olvera Street: a living reminder of the city’s heritage. Mexican culture is a key part of Los Angeles’ history and Olvera, as well as being the oldest street in LA, is an original part of the Pueblo de Los Angeles – the city’s original settlement. From the moment you near the pedestrianised area, the air is alive with the chatter of locals, the clatter of dishes in restaurants, and the smell of freshly-made tortillas steaming from hot plates. Each part of the street is lined with shops selling traditional Mexican items, such as ponchos, sombreros, and alebrijes. Olvera Street also boasts a number of historical landmarks, such as the Avila Adobe, which is the oldest recorded house in Los Angeles.
CONTEMPORARY ART
The Broad
As afternoon approaches, your next stop should be the Broad. The Broad is a contemporary art museum founded by Eli and Edythe Broad, and houses a collection of over 2,000 works of art from the 1950s to the present day. The museum is known for its innovative architecture and each year it hosts new and boundary-breaking exhibitions.
The building was designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro, and features a series of sloping walkways that allow visitors to see the art from different perspectives. Inside, the Broad’s collection includes works by some of the most famous artists of the 20th and 21st centuries, including Jeff Koons, Andy Warhol, and Roy Lichtenstein. The museum also features a number of rotating exhibitions, so there is always something new to see.
Jean Michel Basquiat Exhibition
Continuing the exploration of the city’s art, next stop is the Jean-Michel Basquiat exhibition: a showcase of the late artist’s work currently being held at the Grand LA. The exhibition features over 200 never-before-seen and rarely shown paintings, drawings, multimedia presentations, ephemera, and artefacts that tell the story of Basquiat from an intimate perspective, intertwining his artistic endeavours with his personal life, influences, and the times in which he lived.
The exhibition was organised, curated, and produced by his sisters Lisane Basquiat and Jeanine Heriveaux. It’s the first major exhibition of Basquiat’s work to be organised by his estate, and offers a rare opportunity to see many of his works in one place. It’s a true testament to his genius and his unique vision; he was a visionary before his time, and this exhibition is an incredibly moving deep dive into his life.
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A STOLL ACROSS CONTINENTS
Walking Tour of Little Tokyo and the Arts District
To cap off a short but sweet day in downtown Los Angeles, take a walking tour to fully immerse yourself in the history and culture of this vibrant city. I recommend the WeVenture Little Tokyo and Arts District food tour. Our guide took us from the depths of Little Tokyo,sampling everything from Mochi (a soft yet sweet traditional Japanese snack) to fresh, steaming dumplings. For the last leg of the tour, we wandered through the Arts district – another pocket of DTLA experiencing a revival. Abstract wall art, small-scale breweries, and upscale restaurants are brimming every street. You can tell that this district’s story is just getting started.
THE LOWDOWN…
Norse Atlantic Airways operates daily flights from London Gatwick to Los Angeles from £460 return in Economy and £935 return in Premium, including all taxes and fees. To book, visit www.flynorse.com.
