Neighborhood Guides

Neighborhood Series: Planning a Full Day in the Los Angeles Arts District

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From industrial hotspot to mostly abandoned to artist-in-residence hub, LA’s Arts District has seen a lot of change through the years. Home to some of LA’s best art and restaurants these days, there’s a lot to explore in this mural-studded neighborhood!

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Getting To the Arts District

  • Metro: The metro A (blue) and E (yellow) lines go to the top of the Arts District, but it’s about a 30 minute walk from where this itinerary begins, so we recommend taking a bus: the 53, 60, and 62 are most convenient.
  • Driving: Park at the ROW DTLA garage for a $12 maximum.

Starting your Morning in the Arts District

  • 10:00am: If you’re lucky enough to be doing this on a Sunday, start your day at Smorgasburg, a weekly food and craft market at ROW DTLA.
  • 10:30am: Walk 13 minutes East to Artist & Craftsman Supply to browse art supplies galore.
  • 11:15am: Walk 8 minutes North to Still Life Ceramics Studio for a one-hour pottery workshop ($60). Workshops are held every Sunday at 11:30am sharp - don’t be late!

An Afternoon in the Arts District

  • 12:30pm: Head North 9 minutes to Hennessey + Ingalls, a large bookstore focusing on art, architecture, and design content.
  • 1:00pm: Scoot around the corner to the E 3rd and Traction Ave where you can browse small galleries and shops like Alchemy Works.
  • 2:00pm: Grab lunch and a beer on the same block at Worstküche, a popular German restaurant and beer hall.
  • 3:00pm: Soak up some more culture just around the corner at Hauser & Wirth, a global contemporary and modern art gallery. The Arts District location is one of 18 Hauser & Wirth galleries around the world.
  • 4:30pm: All this art can be exhausting! Perk up with an ice cream at the always-delicious Salt & Straw scoop shop at the corner of E 3rd and S Gary St.
  • 5:00pm: The Arts District is home to the very first of the famous Global Angel Wings Project murals by Colette Miller. In fact, there are 3 of these in the Arts District! Can you find them all? We’ll give you a hint - start at Traction & Rose St and work your way South.

Planning a Night in the Arts District

  • 6:15pm: Time to treat yourself to a rather upscale dinner at Girl & the Goat, just a 7 minute walk from the final wings mural (another hint!). Very fitting of the name, the goat curry is a fan favorite.
  • 7:20pm: If you haven’t gotten an ad for it yet on social media, we’re about to knock your socks off. Head just one block East to The Obscure for a truly unique evening experience. Tickets ($54/p) are required for this two-hour immersive magical journey complete with six cocktails.
  • 9:30pm: For a completely opposite vibe, walk 11 minutes South to the laid-back Tony’s Saloon for a drink and game of pool on your way back to the ROW DTLA parking garage before it closes at 12am. Get home safe!

Tips to planning your day in the Arts District

  • Total walk time: 1h 36m
  • This itinerary can be done Thursday-Sunday, except for Smorgasburg and the ceramics workshop which are only on Sundays.
  • We recommend advance reservations for the ceramics workshop, dinner, and cocktail experience.

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