Pedestrians enjoying L.A.'s Downtown Art Walk

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Millennium Biltmore Los Angeles

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Los Angeles Downtown

Hilton Checkers Los Angeles

Downtown L.A. used to be the place to avoid when visiting Los Angeles (“nothing to see,” was the saying), but that has changed in the last ten years. Downtown is now the place to go for dinner or drinks, but most notably for its art scene. Chinatown is where you’ll want to go on Saturday night for all the gallery openings, but Downtown L.A.’s Art Walk is where it’s happening the second Thursday of each month. Easy to reach by Metro, it’s a very affordable night out.

Close to 3,000 people participate each month, and when I say participate, I mean it. It’s a fashion show unlike any you’ve seen, as well as a parade of every type of person — nearby bankers and lawyers; those who just got off work in the fashion district; students from Otis Parsons; young families living in one of the nearby renovated lofts. The first time you go, you’ll be buzzed for hours from all the energy.

Much of the activity is concentrated between Fifth and Seventh on Spring Street, but the map is much larger than that (you can obtain a free map of the entire route from any of the participating galleries and shops). If you’re looking for art that’s affordable, this is a great place to find it. Bands, DJs, Kogi Trucks, Taco Trucks — this is the city in all it’s diversity, and a great place to fall in love with L.A. The bars along Fifth Street are a must stop come nightfall.

The Art Walk is on the second Thursday of every month, 12 to 9 p.m., and admission is always free. You can stay at any of the downtown L.A. hotels — the Millenium Biltmore Hotel Los Angeles, Kyoto Grand Hotel and Gardens, and the Hilton Checkers Los Angeles are all within walking distance — or you can take the Metro from Hollywood.

– Lesley Bracker

[Flickr/famoussd]