Things to Do in Chinatown
Old Chinatown Central Plaza
The pedestrian heart of Chinatown on N Broadway, designed in a traditional Chinese style and lined with shops and restaurants. It draws a lot of foot traffic and works well as an anchor for exploring the neighborhood.
Los Angeles State Historic Park
A 32-acre open green space just north of Downtown, this park is one of the better spots in the area for concerts and large outdoor events, with long walkways and clear sightlines to the skyline. The grounds are flat and well-suited to spreading out, and the Downtown views alone make a walk here worthwhile.
El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument
The oldest part of the city, centered at 125 Paseo de La Plaza, with a cluster of historic buildings, Olvera Street, and regular cultural programming. A worthwhile hour or two if you want some grounding in where LA actually started.
Olvera Street
One of the oldest streets in Los Angeles, this brick-lined pedestrian lane runs through the heart of El Pueblo and is lined with open-air stalls selling Mexican crafts, food, and goods alongside preserved 19th-century buildings. It is as much a history walk as a marketplace, and widely loved by the people who spend time here.
Amboy Quality Meats & Delicious Burgers
Despite the burger-shop name, this is a casual Filipino spot on North Broadway focused on grilled meats, vegetables, and bean dishes. Affordable, with takeout and delivery available if you want to eat at home.
Chinese American Museum
Housed in the historic Garnier Building on N Los Angeles St, this museum covers the history and culture of Chinese Americans in LA through exhibits and rotating events. It's a thoughtful, well-maintained stop that tends to surprise people who wander in.
Lax-c
A large Thai grocery store on N Main Street stocked with hot sauces, noodles, and pantry staples, many sold in bulk, plus a small deli counter on site. If you cook Thai food at home, this is the most practical stop in the area for ingredients that are hard to find elsewhere. A utilitarian spot that earns its following.
Center Theatre Group
One of LA's major theater organizations, based at 601 W Temple St, and consistently well regarded by the audiences who come through. Worth checking their calendar if you want live theater that takes itself seriously.
LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes
LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes on N Main Street is a museum dedicated to Mexican-American history and culture in Southern California, with exhibits, education programs, and music events. Visitors consistently rate it among the better cultural stops in the area. Worth an afternoon if that history interests you.
Los Angeles Plaza Park
This is the site of the original pueblo of Los Angeles, anchored by a main plaza and surrounded by a church, statues, and historic homes. It is a genuine piece of the city's founding geography rather than a reconstructed attraction. Well worth a slow walk if you are already in the neighborhood.
Alpine Recreation Center
A neighborhood rec center on Yale Street that locals clearly use and appreciate. One of the better-rated parks in the area, worth knowing about if you're nearby and looking for outdoor space.
Now Serving
A cookbook and food-writing bookstore on N Broadway that has built a real reputation in a short time. If you care about food literature, it is worth going out of your way for.
Fire House #1
A museum tucked into Chinatown near Olvera Street, with a small but devoted following that rates it quite highly. Worth a look if you're already exploring the Paseo de La Plaza area.
Chinatown Gateway
The ornamental gateway at 600 N Broadway marks the formal entrance to Chinatown and makes a good reference point when you're getting your bearings in the neighborhood. A small park surrounds it, fine for a short stop.