Downtown Los Angeles doesn't always get the best press, but write it off completely and you could miss some of the most interesting things the city has to offer.
Beyond the headlines, DTLA has major sporting events, fantastic entertainment venues, beautiful historic buildings, independent stores and pockets of the city that feel surprisingly relaxed.
Read more: The best places to spot supercars in Los Angeles, from Rodeo Drive to Malibu
Here are nine reasons why Downtown LA deserves a place on your Los Angeles itinerary.
1. L.A. LIVE makes a brilliant day or night out
If you want somewhere with plenty happening in one place, L.A. LIVE is an excellent starting point.
The South Park entertainment district has restaurants, bars, a movie theater, bowling, the GRAMMY Museum and multiple live entertainment venues, making it easy to turn a quick visit into a full evening out.
2. Crypto.com Arena brings some of the biggest events to LA
Home to the Los Angeles Lakers, LA Kings and LA Sparks, Crypto.com Arena is one of Downtown's biggest attractions.
From basketball and hockey to major concerts and touring shows, the arena gives people a reason to visit DTLA throughout the year, with plenty of places nearby to eat and drink before or after an event.
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3. South Park has some genuinely lovely spots
South Park is one of the areas worth exploring if your impression of Downtown LA comes entirely from negative headlines.
Around L.A. LIVE, the Convention Center and the surrounding residential blocks, you'll find modern buildings, restaurants, landscaped spaces and busy event-day streets that offer a very different experience from other parts of Downtown.
4. The Last Bookstore is unlike your average bookshop
Book lovers should make time for The Last Bookstore, an independent store in Downtown's Historic Core that's as much an experience as it is a place to shop.
Its maze-like shelves, creative book installations, records and famous book tunnel make it a brilliant stop for browsing, photography or simply escaping the city streets for a while.
5. The historic architecture is seriously impressive
Downtown LA has a fascinating collection of historic buildings that can be easy to overlook when you're rushing between attractions.
The Bradbury Building is famous for its spectacular skylit interior and ornate ironwork, while landmarks along Broadway showcase the grandeur of the city's historic movie-palace era.
6. Grand Hope Park offers a quieter side of the city
Not every Downtown outing needs to involve crowds, traffic or a packed event schedule.
Grand Hope Park, in South Park, provides a small green space surrounded by city buildings, offering somewhere to take a break, sit outside or enjoy a little breathing room between stops.
7. The historic theaters are worth discovering
Broadway's historic theater district is one of Downtown's most distinctive features, with ornate venues that recall an earlier era of moviegoing and live entertainment.
Some theaters host concerts, screenings and special events, so check what's on before visiting and you might discover a memorable show inside a building that's an attraction in its own right.
8. There's more food and culture than you might expect
DTLA isn't just office buildings and arena crowds. Its different neighborhoods offer everything from food markets and independent coffee shops to Little Tokyo, Chinatown, galleries and restaurants serving cuisines from around the world.
Grand Central Market is another popular stop for visitors wanting to sample different food options under one roof, while the Arts District offers a different atmosphere with galleries, converted warehouses and creative businesses.
9. Big events give Downtown LA a real buzz
From conventions and award shows to sporting fixtures, concerts, festivals and cultural events, Downtown has a calendar that can make every visit feel different.
Planning your trip around something happening at L.A. LIVE, Crypto.com Arena or another local venue can give you an extra reason to explore the neighborhood, grab dinner and stay for the evening.
Is Downtown LA worth visiting?
Downtown Los Angeles isn't one uniform neighborhood, and your experience can change considerably depending on where you go, what time you visit and whether a major event is taking place.
But between its entertainment venues, historic landmarks, independent businesses, green spaces and cultural attractions, there's plenty here to make a visit worthwhile.
The trick is to plan your stops, explore the areas that interest you and avoid assuming that the whole of Downtown can be summed up by one reputation.
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