Downtown
Los Angeles
(213)

• Angels Flight - The 'Shortest Railway In The World' was first built in 1901 to transport residents of Bunker Hill down to the shopping district below. Though popularized in film, art and lore, it was dismantled in 1969 until 1996, when a redevelopment effort brought it back to the streets of Los Angeles. (Fourth & Hill streets)

• Arts District - What appears to be run-down warehouses is actually a thriving - and growing - artists' loft community. (Along North Main St. and along Santa Fe St., east of Alameda, near the Los Angeles River)

• Broadway - Who says nobody walks in L.A.? Broadway is a uniquely Latino-flavored Angeleno experience. Record stores blare norteno, mariachi, salsa and cumbia music, while people buy religious candles at boticas and families bring their 14-year-old daughters to gown shops to try on outfits for their upcoming quincenera. Broadway is also home to the city's historical movie houses, as well as Grand Central Market, where you can get everything from fresh produce, meat and seafood and L.A.'s best tacos. (Broadway, between 1st and Olympic)

• Central Library - Originally built in 1924, burned down in 1986 and renovated in 1993, this is the home base of the city's public library system, and a beautiful structure, both historical and high-tech. (5th and Flower streets)

• Chinatown - The historical center of the city's Chinese community is popular for its restaurants, such as Golden Dragon and Won Kok Center. Also home to great stores such as Phoenix Bakery. (Along North Broadway and North Main streets, north of the 101 Freeway)

• Civic Center - The largest government center outside of Washington D.C. features the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, the Roybal Federal Building, Criminal Courts Building and the landmark pyramid-topped City Hall. Also the future home of The Cathedral of Our Lady of The Angels. (Between the 101 Freeway and First St)

• Convention Center - Newly expanded in 1993, this is the site of many large-scale conventions, as well as the future site of the Staples Center, which will be the new home of the Lakers and Kings in 1999. (Surrounded by the 110 Fwy, Olympic, Figueroa and Venice)

• Exposition Park/Coliseum - In the southwest corner of Downtown is the Exposition Park, which contains The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (home of the 1932 and 1984 Olympics, Super Bowl I and possible future home of an NFL expansion team), The Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena (home of the Clippers), the new Califonia ScienCenter, The IMAX Theatre, The Rose Garden, The California Afro-American Museum and the Museum of Natural History. Along Figueroa, between Exposition and Martin Luther King Jr. boulevards)

• Fashion District - One of the city's best-kept secrets. 56 blocks of women's men's and children's apparel stores and outlets, where great bargains can be found. Stroll down the popular Santee Alley for some of your best buys. (South of Olympic Blvd and east of Main Street; Santee Alley is located 1/2 block east of Santee Ave.)

• Little Tokyo - Home of the city's Japanese-American business community featuring hotels, restaurants, import stores and the Japanese-American National Museum. (On 1st St. between Los Angeles and Alameda streets)

• Music Center - Located directly west of the Civic Center, the Music Center features Broadway musicals, L.A. Philharmonic concerts, Awards Ceremonies and cultural events in the Mark Taper Forum, Ahmanson Theatre and the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion. Future home of the Walt Disney Concert Hall. (On Temple Ave, west of Grand)

• Olvera Street - The place where Spanish settlers established a little pueblo that would become a major city. Featuring Mexican restaurants, arts and crafts, museums, gift shops and cultural events. (Between Alameda and Main streets, north of the 101 Freeway)

• Pershing Square - The oldest park in the city, originally named "Central Park" in 1866. It was re-named in 1918 after World War I hero Gen. John J. Pershing and renovated in 1994. (Hill and 6th streets)

• Union Station - Built in 1939 and regarded as "The Last of the Great Railroad Stations" in America. It once served the Southern Pacific, Union Pacific and Santa Fe railroads during the heyday of rail travel. Amtrak has been using Union Station since 1971 and in the 1990s, rail travel took on a renaissance when the Metrolink commuter rail service and the Metro Rail subway opened. Alameda Street at Cesar E. Chavez Ave.

• University of Southern California - Institute of higher learning founded in 1881 in what was then known as "West Los Angeles." Its Trojan tradition has established a worldwide reputation in academics and athletics, boasting renowned alumni (such as the creator of this web page :)). Surrounded by Jefferson Blvd, Figueroa St, Exposition Blvd and Vermont Avenue.