Art, architecture, history, and movie lore; you don’t need a big budget to spend a day in DTLA, there are plenty of free things to do in Los Angeles. The list of free things to do in downtown Los Angeles can be done in the order listed, and comprises about a mile and a half walk around downtown, centered around Handlebar Bike Tour’s home at Grand Central Market.
Bradbury Building: this Victorian Era building is gorgeous and free to enter the lobby and see why directors love to film in its light-filled, ornate, tiered floors. The Artist, 500 Days of Summer, and Blade Runner were all filmed here.
City Hall, Tom Bradley Room: Monday through Friday you can travel to the top of LA’s City Hall, also famous for filming. Mosaics and art fill the corridors, but at the top is the Tom Bradley room with expansive views of Grand Park.
The Broad and MOCA Museums: Speaking of Grand Avenue, it boasts two free art museums. Currently, online reservations are required so book ahead for this free DTLA feature.
Disney Hall Skywalk: Don’t miss the scenic skywalk around Disney Hall. When there isn’t a show going on, you’ll find the stairs at the corner of 2nd Street and Grand Avenue to take you up to the second story park, with Lillian Disney’s fountain, and the skywalk that leads around the building.
The Colburn School: Take in a free concert or ballet at The Colburn School. LA’s fine arts performance college puts on free concerts.
Central Library: Built in 1925 this building is gorgeous, and full of murals, mosaics and Art Deco architecture. A must see in DTLA.
The Biltmore: If you’re a fan of Mission revival, Art Deco and the glamour of old Hollywood, pop into the Biltmore hotel. Take in the gorgeous halls, lobby and the breathtaking Rendezvous Court. Seek out the restroom, and you’ll find a hallway filled with photos of the very first studio soiree that was the precursor to the Oscars.
The Last Book Store: Insta-famous for it’s book sculptures, I could spend hours perusing the books, records, and artist studios packed in this “book store” that is so much more.
This list of free things to do in downtown Los Angeles will fill up a day, but you could also fit in a low priced Los Angeles bike tour with Handlebar Bike Tours. Our tours are only 2.5 hours and $55.