Historic Downtown - Fashion Museum - Center Theatre Group

TRAVEL BY NIC…….The Perpetual Tourist!

Historic Downtown LA Walking Tour

Once again I would like to brag about the Los Angeles Conservancy that I am a member of.  Besides restoring and protecting BEAUTIFUL LA buildings they offer awesome walking tours.  I have written about their tours before.  So we went on a 2 hour walking tour for only $10!  $5 if you’re a member!  Parking in LA can be high, but because we parked in the lot they advised us too, we were able to get that validated.  So wanna hear about our fun packed day?!

 

Their tours always start at Pershing Square that has quite a history in itself.  I’d like to show you some of the beautiful buildings we got to enjoy on our Spring morning walk.  Los Angeles Central Library with LA’s tallest building looming behind it, the US Bank Tower.  The Los Angeles Library is located at 630 W 5^th St.  it was built in 1872 and it’s beautiful mosaic pyramid towers high on top of the building.  Inside you will find beautiful murals that illustrate the history of California.  The US Bank Tower looms over the library, but it doesn’t take away from it beauty, it adds to it.  The US Bank Tower, formerly the Library Tower is the tallest building west of the Mississippi.  Right now it is a business building but with new ownership  there is talk of making a portion of it a hotel and adding a lookout tower at the top.

Another one of my favorite buildings would have to be the Bradbury building.  It is located at 304 Broadway and was built in 1893.  I love the mix of the black ironwork, brick and sandstone and terra cotta detailing.  You will notice right away the arched windows that brighten the lobby of the building.  This building has been used in several movies you may recognize:  “The Artist”, “500 Days of Summer”, “Lethal Weapon 4”, “Pay it Forward” and “Blade Runner” just to name a few.

Three others historic buildings that deserve honorable mention…Pacmutual Center that was built by Pacific Mutual Life Insurance in 1908 located at 523 w 6^th street is beautiful with it’s marble lobby an ceilings that are especially lighted to highlight their beauty.  Subway Terminal Building that has been made into downtown luxury apartments was built in 1925.  It is located at 417 S Hill St.   I found the elevator doors beautiful in the Subway building!  Don’t you wonder what they do with all of those underground subway tunnels that are no longer used? Finely, I’ve featured One Bunker Hill before.  It was originally the Southern California Edison Building.  The interior of this building is beautiful!  They mentioned that people that were struggling back in the day, had a hard time coming in and paying their bills….kinda wondering if it went towards their beautiful building!!

Our tour came to an end as we walked through Grand Central Market Place which has been around since 1917.  It is located at 317 S Broadway and everyone should experience it!  Our guide mention that for a long time it was a market that Latino’s have always frequented but with all of the young people moving in to the luxury downtown apartments, you are seeing a very cool mixture of people bringing together the cuisine & cultures of Los Angeles.  It reminds me a lot of Farmers Market near the Grove in LA.  It’s a gathering place of food vendors, and markets.  I can’t believe we didn’t eat there!  But the guide just had us do a walk through.

Just outside the Grand Central Market Place you find the Angel Flight Railway!  The shortest railroad in the world!  It all began back in 1901 when Bunker Hill was one of the most fashionable neighborhoods in Los Angeles.  The Angel’s Flight ferried it’s prominent citizens up and down the steep slope between Hill and Olive Street. It was dismantled in 1969 for Urban renewal and moved ½ block South.  It connects 351 S Hill Street with 350 S Grand Avenue.

Nickel Diner – 524 S Main St, Los Angeles

So I told you we didn’t eat at Grand Central Market….but we did eat at the Nickel Diner!  It was delish!  However, it was loud....yes, I’m getting old!  Seriously, the atmosphere was fun and the burgers were great!  However, I did have a hard time seeing wine be serviced at a diner!  Again, think classy young LA vibe mixed with 50’s cool!  I say if Guy Fieri. endorses a restaurant, it's gotta be good!

 

 

 

 

 

FIDM Museum – 919 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA

 

 

The fun was not over!  We walked to FIDM Museum, (Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising).  There we enjoyed the 22^nd Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design and Bliss: 19^th Century Wedding Gowns.  Guess how much we paid for the exhibits?!  $0!  However, I will tell you it will only take you about 1 hour to go through the exhibits, but don’t get me wrong, it was very cool.  We were able to see several of the costumes used in movies that were Oscar contenders.  This particular display has a lot of variety.  We saw costumes from “The Great Gatsby”, “The Butler” and “American Hustle” to name a few.  The wedding gowns were displayed in an even smaller room, but again they were so beautiful.  We enjoyed shopping in one of the stores owned by the Museum.  They had great deals on jewelry, everyday clothes, gowns and wedding dresses!  The gallery displays will change so double check the exhibits.  Just FYI, they will not let you take photos inside.

Center Theatre Group – Ahmanson Theatre / Kirk Douglas Theatre / Disney Concert Hall / Dorothy Chandler – all located at Grand & 1^st

What a way to end an evening!  My husband took me to see “Harmony” at the Ahmanson Theatre!  I loved it!  It was a true story about a group of men that sang during WWII.  They were as big as the Beatles but their story has twists in it since 3 of them were Jews.  Great music (music by Barry Manilow) and great story! 
 

All of these theatres are right near each other.  We walked around looking for a place to eat and all we should have done was walkup to the plaza area because that is where we found 2 different places to pick up dinner.  (We ended up at some fast food place – boo!)  Los Angeles is a beautiful city.  Enjoy the photos we took from Grand Park of the famous Los Angeles Court House.  Big Day – Big City!