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. And the best part? You don’t need a car to explore it all.
With Metrolink and minimal LA Metro transfers, you can spend a full day walking among LA’s most iconic buildings and landmarks, each steeped in history and cultural identity. Whether you're a local rediscovering your city or hosting out-of-town visitors, this car-free DTLA architecture itinerary is affordable, enriching, and picture-perfect.
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.
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.
Union Station (1939)
Metro Stop: Union Station (Metrolink + A, B, D Lines)
Admission: Free
Open: Daily
Known as the “Last of the Great Railway Stations,” Union Station is an architectural blend of Mission Revival, Art Deco, and Streamline Moderne. It features Spanish tile floors, vaulted ceilings, and one of the most cinematic waiting rooms in America.
Films: Catch Me If You Can, The Dark Knight Rises, La La Land
Photo Tip: The Grand Waiting Room and tile-lined patios are Instagram gold.
Los Angeles City Hall (1928)
Metro Stop: Civic Center/Grand Park (B, D Lines)
Admission: Free
Open: Mon–Fri during business hours
This Art Deco tower once defined the LA skyline and is still the symbolic heart of the city. Its exterior is made from materials sourced across California, while inside you'll find historic tile work and ornate hallways.
Photo Tip: Snap a shot from Grand Park for a postcard-perfect frame.
Walt Disney Concert Hall (2003)
Metro Stop: Civic Center/Grand Park (B, D Lines)
Admission: Free outdoor access; guided tours available
Open: Garden access daily; check LA Phil site for self-guided tour times
Frank Gehry’s sweeping stainless-steel curves are instantly recognizable and make this building one of LA’s modern architectural landmarks. Inside, the acoustics and interior design are just as breathtaking.
Photo Tip: Go early or late for reflective lighting on the steel panels. Visit the Blue Ribbon Garden upstairs for serenity and views.
Bradbury Building (1893)
Metro Stop: Pershing Square (B, D Lines)
Admission: Free (lobby access)
Open: Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM, Sat 10 AM–5 PM; Closed Sundays
One of the most famous buildings in LA, the Bradbury Building is a Victorian-era marvel with iron railings, open-cage elevators, and a soaring glass atrium. Featured in Blade Runner, 500 Days of Summer, The Artist, and many more.
Photo Tip: Capture the interior from the front entrance or first stair landing.
Angels Flight Railway (1901)
Metro Stop: Pershing Square (B, D Lines)
Admission: 50¢ with Metro TAP card / $1 cash
Open: Daily (check angelsflight.org for hours)
This tiny orange funicular has a huge personality. Known as the “shortest railway in the world,” Angels Flight once served the wealthy residents of Bunker Hill—and still offers a nostalgic ride today.
Photo Tip: Photograph from the bottom of Hill St. or film a POV riding up to California Plaza.
Watch
Los Angeles Central Library (1926)
Metro Stop: Pershing Square (B, D Lines)
Admission: Free
Open: Mon–Thu: 10 AM–8 PM
Fri–Sat: 9:30 AM–5:30 PM
Sun: 1–5 PM
A rare combination of Egyptian Revival and Mediterranean Revival, the Downtown LA Central Library is filled with murals, sculptures, and even a multi-story atrium. The 1993 Tom Bradley Wing brings the old and new together beautifully.
Photo Tip: Don’t miss the rotunda ceiling and tiled pyramid dome from the front entrance.
Suggested Stop Order (via Metro Lines)
| Order | Location | Metro Line |
| 1 | Union Station | Metrolink / A, B, D |
| 2 | Los Angeles City Hall | B, D – Civic Center/Grand Park |
| 3 | Walt Disney Concert Hall | B, D – Civic Center/Grand Park |
| 4 | Bradbury Building | B, D – Pershing Square |
| 5 | Angels Flight Railway | B, D – Pershing Square |
| 6 | LA Central Library | B, D – Pershing Square |
| 7 | Return to Union Station | B, D or walk |
Travel Tips
- Check hours: Bradbury Building is closed Sundays; other sites vary by holiday.
- Wear comfortable shoes: This is a walking itinerary.
- Bring water: Especially in summer months.
- Use the Transit app for LA Metro real-time updates.
- Charge your phone: You’ll want lots of photos.
There’s no better way to understand Los Angeles than by walking its architectural history. From Union Station to Gehry’s bold curves, every building in this itinerary reveals a piece of LA’s identity—and they’re all accessible with a single SoCal Day Pass on Metrolink.
No traffic. No parking. Just LA, designed to be discovered.
More to Explore!
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