Unearth The Voyage
Los Angeles’s Arts District has transformed from an industrial stretch into one of the city’s coolest neighborhoods. Street art explodes off warehouse walls, craft breweries buzz with locals, and world-class galleries sit next to hole-in-the-wall taco stands. Whether you’re hunting for Instagram-worthy murals, chasing the perfect espresso, or booking that impossible dinner reservation, this creative corner of downtown delivers experiences you won’t find anywhere else in the city.
1. Explore the Hauser & Wirth arts campus
Inside a renovated flour mill sits 100,000 square feet of contemporary art magic. Hauser & Wirth anchors the entire neighborhood with world-renowned rotating exhibitions that draw collectors and curious visitors alike.
The complex offers way more than gallery walls. A lush garden courtyard invites you to pause between exhibits, while the bookstore stocks titles you won’t find at chain retailers.
Manuela, the on-site restaurant, turns your gallery visit into a full afternoon experience. Free admission makes this accessible to everyone, and the industrial architecture alone deserves your camera roll. Plan at least two hours to really soak in the space and maybe grab a coffee in the courtyard between rooms.
2. See free contemporary art at ICA LA
Not every museum charges admission, and the Institute of Contemporary Art proves it. Located at 1717 E 7th Street, ICA LA opens its doors to everyone without asking for a single dollar. Cutting-edge exhibitions rotate regularly, showcasing emerging and established artists pushing boundaries.
The programming calendar fills up with artist talks, community events, and opening receptions where you might meet the creators themselves. This grassroots approach makes contemporary art feel approachable rather than exclusive.
Check their website before heading over to catch special programs or plan around a new exhibition opening. The intimate scale means you can tour the entire space in under an hour, making it perfect for a spontaneous culture fix between lunch and your next stop.
3. Tour and taste at Angel City Brewery
A century-old building near Traction Avenue houses one of the neighborhood’s original craft beer pioneers. Angel City Brewery pours seasonal brews that change with the calendar, keeping regulars coming back to try the latest experiments from their brewing team.
The space itself tells stories, with exposed brick and industrial touches that honor the building’s history. Beyond just drinking, you can book brewery tours to learn how grain becomes the glass in your hand.
Events fill the calendar throughout the year, from trivia nights to live music sessions. The laid-back vibe welcomes beer nerds and casual sippers equally. Grab a flight to sample multiple styles, and don’t skip chatting with the bartenders who genuinely love talking hops and fermentation science.
4. Play Skee-Ball at Arts District Brewing Co.
Since opening in 2015, this lively brewpub has become the go-to spot when your group can’t agree on just drinks or just games. Around 30 rotating beers keep the taps fresh, plus cocktails for anyone not feeling hoppy.
Classic bar games fill the space, with Skee-Ball taking center stage as the crowd favorite. Rolling balls up wooden lanes while sipping an IPA brings out everyone’s competitive side in the best way.
The energy runs high on weekends when groups pack in for birthdays and reunions. Weekday afternoons offer a mellower vibe if you prefer conversation over chaos. The rotating beer selection means you’ll discover something new every visit, and the staff knows their offerings well enough to guide you toward your perfect pint based on your taste preferences.
5. Book the hard-to-get table at Bestia
Ori Menashe’s industrial-chic Italian restaurant at 2121 E 7th Place remains the toughest reservation in the neighborhood years after opening. Housemade pastas arrive perfectly al dente, while wood-fired dishes emerge with that irreplaceable char and smoke.
The dining room buzzes with energy as plates circulate from kitchen to table in a beautiful choreographed dance. Exposed ductwork and Edison bulbs create an atmosphere that feels special without being stuffy.
Set your alarm for when reservations drop, because tables disappear within minutes. Walk-ins sometimes score bar seats if you’re flexible and patient. The charcuterie program deserves its reputation, and sharing multiple dishes family-style lets you taste more of the menu’s range and creativity in one sitting.
6. Feast at Bavel
Bestia’s sister restaurant takes you on a completely different culinary journey. Middle Eastern flavors dominate the menu, with hummus so silky it redefines what you thought chickpeas could become. Lamb neck shawarma arrives tender and complex, layered with spices that build rather than overwhelm.
The soaring dining room on Mateo Street fills with greenery that softens the industrial bones of the space. Natural light pours through during lunch, while evening service glows with intimate lighting.
Reservations run tight here too, so plan ahead or try for a weeknight when availability opens up. The pita bread baked in-house deserves its own spotlight, arriving warm and perfect for scooping every last bit from your plates. Vegetable dishes shine as brightly as meat options.
7. Try Stephanie Izard’s Girl & the Goat
At 555 Mateo Street, celebrity chef Stephanie Izard’s L.A. outpost serves bold flavors designed for sharing and discovering together. Plates arrive vibrant and unexpected, combining ingredients you wouldn’t think to pair but that somehow work brilliantly on your palate.
Reservations get recommended, though the restaurant welcomes walk-ins willing to wait or grab bar seats. The menu changes seasonally, keeping regulars excited to return and try new combinations.
Goat features prominently, as the name suggests, but plenty of other proteins and vegetarian options round out the choices. The energy stays upbeat without being overwhelming, making it work for date nights and friend gatherings alike. Order more than you think you need because sharing bites across the table is half the fun of the experience here.
8. Spend your Sunday at Smorgasburg LA (ROW DTLA)
Every Sunday from 10am to 4pm, the historic Alameda Produce Market site transforms into a food lover’s playground. Dozens of vendors spread across five acres, creating a festival atmosphere just next to the Arts District proper.
ROW DTLA hosts this weekly gathering where you can graze through global cuisines in a single afternoon. From ramen burgers to artisan ice cream, the rotating vendor lineup keeps things fresh week after week.
Beyond food, shopping stalls offer handmade goods and vintage finds. Arrive hungry and pace yourself because you’ll want to try multiple vendors. The outdoor setting makes it perfect for sunny Los Angeles weather, and the crowd-watching alone entertains. Bring cash for faster transactions, though many vendors now accept cards too.
9. Coffee stop: Blue Bottle – Arts District
At 582 Mateo Street, this sleek coffee shop opens early and serves the neighborhood’s caffeine needs with precision. The minimalist aesthetic lets the coffee quality speak for itself without distraction.
Their NOLA cold brew has achieved cult status among locals who swear by its smooth, chicory-laced flavor. Espresso drinks arrive expertly pulled, whether you prefer a simple macchiato or a creamy latte.
The space stays busy but moves efficiently, making it reliable for a quick pre-gallery pick-me-up. Baristas know their craft and can guide you toward something new if you’re feeling adventurous beyond your usual order. Seating is limited, so this works better as a grab-and-go spot unless you arrive during off-peak hours when tables open up for laptop work or lingering conversations.
10. Pie break at The Pie Hole (original shop)
The neighborhood classic sits at 714 Traction Avenue, where slices of sweet and savory pies have fueled Arts District wanderers for years. This original location started the mini empire that now includes multiple shops across the city.
Rotating flavors keep the case interesting, from classic apple to inventive combinations like Mexican chocolate chess. Savory options work for lunch if you’re craving something beyond dessert.
Coffee pairs perfectly with whatever slice calls to you. The casual counter-service setup means you can pop in quickly or settle at one of the small tables. Check their current hours before making a special trip, as they’ve adjusted schedules post-pandemic. The crust achieves that perfect balance between flaky and sturdy, holding fillings without falling apart on your fork or in your hand.
11. Pop into SCI-Arc’s public galleries
The Southern California Institute of Architecture runs free exhibitions at its campus on 960 E 3rd Street. Even if you’re not an architecture student, the experimental installations and design shows offer fresh perspectives on how we build and inhabit spaces.
Public events fill the calendar, from lectures by renowned architects to student showcases that glimpse the future of design. The building itself demonstrates architectural innovation, making the visit educational before you even enter the galleries.
Check their website for current exhibitions and event schedules to time your visit around something particularly interesting. The intimate scale means you can tour everything in under an hour. Students and faculty sometimes hang around the galleries, offering impromptu insights if you’re curious about the work on display and want deeper context than wall labels provide.
12. Get lost in Hennessey + Ingalls
The West Coast’s definitive art and architecture bookstore operates inside One Santa Fe at 300 S Santa Fe Avenue, Suite M. Shelves stretch floor to ceiling with titles covering everything from Renaissance painting to cutting-edge graphic design.
Browsing here feels like treasure hunting, as you’ll stumble across books you never knew existed but suddenly need. The staff knows their inventory deeply and can point you toward exactly what you’re seeking or something even better.
Photography monographs, design theory, architecture history, and contemporary art catalogs fill every category you can imagine. The selection goes far beyond what chain bookstores stock, making it worth the trip for anyone serious about visual culture. Plan extra time because you’ll get absorbed flipping through oversized volumes and discovering new artists or movements worth exploring further at home.
13. Stock up at Artist & Craftsman Supply
Located at 1917 to 1921 E 7th Street, this huge art supply store offers everything creators need at prices that won’t drain your budget. Paints line entire aisles in every medium imaginable, from oils to acrylics to specialty finishes.
Paper selection runs deep, whether you need sketch pads, watercolor blocks, or printmaking sheets. Tools and brushes cover beginner to professional quality, letting you choose based on your skill level and wallet.
The staff actually uses the products they sell, so advice comes from experience rather than just reading labels. Students and professional artists alike shop here because the combination of selection, price, and knowledge beats ordering online. Just minutes from the main Arts District drag, it’s perfectly positioned for picking up supplies before a creative session or replacing something you ran out of mid-project.
14. Walk the new 6th Street Viaduct & watch PARC take shape
The $588 million Ribbon of Light bridge opened in July 2022, connecting the Arts District to Boyle Heights with stunning architectural curves. Ten arches sweep overhead in a design that’s become instantly iconic on the L.A. skyline.
Below the bridge, the city is building a 12-acre park called Sixth Street PARC that will add green space and recreation to the area. Construction progress changes the landscape constantly, making each visit show something new taking form.
Golden hour turns the bridge into a photographer’s dream, with downtown skyline views framing perfectly between the arches. The pedestrian walkway lets you stroll across safely while cars flow below. This engineering marvel represents L.A.’s future while honoring the neighborhood’s industrial past, and watching it at sunset captures the city’s transformation in a single moment.
15. Do a self-guided mural crawl on Traction & 3rd
This area ranks among L.A.’s densest street art zones, with massive murals covering warehouse walls in every direction. Artists from around the world have left their marks, creating an outdoor gallery that never closes or charges admission.
Local mural maps help you plan a walking route that hits the major pieces while discovering hidden gems tucked down side streets. The art changes over time as new works cover old ones, keeping the landscape dynamic.
Loop past breweries, cafes, and galleries to turn your mural hunt into a full afternoon adventure. Bring your camera because these pieces photograph beautifully in natural light. Some murals stretch several stories high, demanding you step back to capture the full scale and appreciate the artists’ vision and technical skill in such large formats.
