A self-guided itinerary for locals and visitors to explore LA’s museums, history, and street art—all walkable or just one train transfer from Union Station.
Whether you're a local looking to rediscover your city or a visitor hoping to experience the real Los Angeles beyond the beach and theme parks, this DTLA itinerary for the Culturally Curious is for you. Designed for art lovers, history buffs, and anyone curious about the varied cultural layers that make up Los Angeles, this route takes you from Union Station through some of the city’s most iconic and under-the-radar gems—all easily accessible via Metrolink service and transfers onto local transit. Every stop has been chosen for its minimal cost, and its artistic or cultural significance. From immersive museums to open-air mural walks, this itinerary proves that LA’s cultural core is just a train ride away.
Getting to Downtown LA with Metrolink
Skip the traffic and pricey parking. Take any Metrolink line (except the Inland Empire-Orange County Line) to Los Angeles Union Station, then explore the rest of the city on foot or via LA Metro bus or rail.
Get Metrolink’s SoCal Day Pass
Only $15 on weekdays or $10 on weekends, this pass includes unlimited Metrolink travel and free transfers on LA Metro rail and buses all day. Available via the Metrolink Mobile App or at station ticket machines on the day of travel.
El Pueblo de Los Ángeles Historical Monument & Olvera Street
Union Station walk (5 min)
Open: Daily, daytime
Admission: Free Explore
LA’s founding plaza, Avila Adobe (1818), Pico House, and vibrant artisan stalls on Olvera Street. A living tapestry of Spanish–Mexican–California heritage.
LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes
501 N Main St (adjacent to Olvera)
Open: Wed–Mon 12 PM–5 PM (closed Tue)
Admission: Free
Museum focused on Mexican American histories and arts, with rotating exhibits and a courtyard garden.
LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes
Chinese American Museum
425 N Los Angeles St (Garnier Building, Metro B/D Civic Center stop)
Open: Wed–Sun 10 AM–3 PM
Admission: Free (donations welcome)
The Chinese American Museum (CAM) in Los Angeles focuses on the history, culture, and contributions of Chinese Americans, particularly in Southern California. Its art and exhibitions blend historical artifacts, contemporary art, and multimedia storytelling. Media includes painting, sculpture, photography, video, and installation art and themes often explore immigration, identity, family, resilience, and cross-cultural experience.
The Broad Museum
221 S Grand Ave (Metro A Line stop Grand Avenue Arts/Bunker Hill)
Open: Wed–Fri 11 AM–5 PM; Sat 10 AM–6 PM; Sun 10 AM–5 PM
Admission: Free (though recommended to reserve ahead)
The Broad Museum features a world-class collection of postwar and contemporary art, primarily from the 1950s to the present. It houses over 2,000 works from the personal collection of Eli and Edythe Broad, making it one of the most prominent contemporary art collections in the world. Artists featured include Basquiat, Koons, and Kusama.
MOCA – Museum of Contemporary Art
On Grand Ave, across from The Broad
Open: Thu–Fri 11 AM–5 PM; Sat–Sun 11 AM–6 PM
Admission: Free general admission; ticketed for special shows
MOCA in Los Angeles focuses exclusively on contemporary art, primarily works created from 1940 to the present. Its collection includes work by: Mark Rothko, Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Jenny Holzer, and Barbara Kruger. MOCA showcases photography, video art, mixed media, and large-scale installations, and frequently rotates exhibitions that highlight current and emerging artists from around the world.
Santee Alley Street Murals
11th & Santee St (Metro B/D → 7th/Metro + DASH or bus)
Open: Daylight hours
Admission: Free
Discover vibrant outdoor murals and a lively fashion backbone of DTLA.
The Grammy Museum at L.A. Live
800 W Olympic Blvd (Metro A and E lines, Pico stop)
Open: 11 AM–5 PM daily
Admission: $18 adults / $12 seniors & students / free under 5
Grammy Museum in Los Angeles is dedicated to celebrating the history and cultural impact of music, with a special focus on Grammy Award-winning artists and music history across genres. It's an interactive and educational space that blends memorabilia, immersive exhibits, and multimedia experiences.
Grammy Museum Los Angeles
Velaslavasay Panorama
1122 W 24th St (12 min walk or Metro E line to LATTC stop)
Open: Fri–Sun 12 PM–6 PM
Admission: $10 general / $6 senior/student
Home to a 360° painted panorama (“Moving Mirror of California”) in a historic theater.
Suggested Itinerary Flow
- Start at Union Station
→ Explore El Pueblo Historical Monument & Olvera Street (5-min walk) - Walk to LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes (2-min walk)
→ Immerse yourself in LA’s Mexican-American history and rotating exhibits - Walk to Chinese American Museum (2-min walk across Main St)
→ Located in the historic Garnier Building near El Pueblo - Take Metro A Line from Union Station to Grand Ave Arts/Bunker Hill Station
→ Visit The Broad Museum and MOCA (they’re across the street from each other)
(~5-minute ride + short elevator up to Grand Ave) - Walk or take DASH F to the Fashion District
→ Explore Santee Alley murals and street art (get off around 11th & Santee) - Walk or DASH to Pico Station
→ Visit the Grammy Museum at L.A. Live - Board Metro E Line at Pico Station → Exit at LATTC/Ortho Institute Station
→ Walk ~12 minutes to Velaslavasay Panorama - Return to Union Station
→ From LATTC/Ortho Institute Station, take the E Line (East LA) to 7th/Metro Center, then transfer to A Line (Azusa) back to Union Station
Travel Tips
- Most sites are free or under $20; only Panorama and Grammy Museum have admission fees.
- Reserve ahead for The Broad’s free timed entry.
- Check the Grammy Museum website for current exhibits and occasional free community nights.
- For artists, photographers, and cultural seekers, this compact tour offers a deep and inspiring look into DTLA’s diverse cultural landscape, accessible by walking or with minimal transit transfers per leg.
More to Explore!
8 Low-Cost Cultural Gems in Downtown LA You Can Reach by Metrolink
A self-guided itinerary for locals and visitors to explore LA’s museums, history, and street art—all walkable or just one train transfer from Union Station.
Explore Downtown LA's Architectural Icons, Car-Free with Metrolink
Downtown Los Angeles is a living museum of architectural styles—from Beaux-Arts elegance to Art Deco grandeur to modern marvels like Frank Gehry’s Walt Disney Concert Hall.
How to Take a Car-Free Weekend Day Trip from Los Angeles to Salt Creek Beach
You can reach one of Orange County’s most beautiful beaches, Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point, entirely car-free using the Metrolink train and the Laguna Niguel Summer Trolley.
