Local Family Adventure: Downtown L.A.

I often dream about traveling to far off distant places but traveling hasn’t been a reality for us lately. Traveling is expensive and takes tons of planning now that we have a daughter. Fortunately, our own “backyard” offers tiny adventures waiting to be explored. There’s more to the Los Angeles area than amusement parks (don’t get me wrong! I love them) but So. California is rich in history and culture.

My family recently spent the day as tourists in Downtown L.A. We jumped on the Metro (subway system) and had fun exploring our “home.” The Metro is $1.50 per ride or $5 for a day pass. Kids under 5 ride free with a paying adult. We rode the Red Line to Pershing Square arriving at our first stop, Grand Central Market.

Grand Central Market (www.grandcentralsquare.com) opened in 1917. This open-air market has food stands that offer fruits, vegetables, poultry, spices and more that are offered at reasonable prices. My daughter loved looking at the colorful display cases of spices at Valeria’s. Plenty of food options here for families or maybe just a place to observe and take an ice cream break. Grand Central Market is open seven days a week.

We then crossed Hill Street to ride Angels Flight (www.angelsflight.com). At 298 feet “The Shortest Railway in the World” takes you from South Hill Street to the California Plaza Watercourt at the top of Bunker Hill. Angels Flight has been recently restored and uses a funicular design; the two cars (named, Olivet and Sinai) are at opposite ends of the same cable. The two cars pass each other at the halfway point, which is exciting to my daughter. Train fare is only 25 cents (per ride) and this attraction is plain ‘ole cool. Make sure you check out the nice views once you arrive at the top of the station.

Our last stop was the Central Public Library (www.lapl.org/central) This was a short walk from California Plaza. We walked to S. Grand Avenue (California Plaza) and then took a right on Fifth Street. At the library, we headed to the Children’s Literature Department wing and fell in love with the ceiling of the Lodwrick M. Cook Rotunda (directly outside of the children’s dept). The chandelier and murals are stunning. This five-story library is the perfect hangout for my book lover, Teagan. We spent a good two hours reading to each other, relaxing and spending family quality time in the Children’s Literature department. I was in heaven photographing my husband and daughter near the large window in the reading area! Beautiful! This library has story times and events for families and it’s free. This building has a ton of character. We’ve already made plans to go back to view more of the artwork. Just a reminder that you can rent DVDs at your local library! Check it out. I know that families are always looking for ways to save money! Los Angeles Public libraries are open Monday-Saturday.

We returned home via the steps of Bunker Hill, Angels Flight and back to the Metro. I highly suggest taking advantage of what your city has to offer you! You will be pleasantly surprised!

– Tee

* We did not receive monetary compensation or product for this review.