The Broad Museum opened in Downtown Los Angeles just a year before I moved to Oregon. I love modern art, and as with any new museum, I was very excited to experience it. Due to first-year crowds, I was not able to visit until our 2018 trip to Downtown Los Angeles.

As it was a top priority during my trip, I made advance reservations for The Broad. Advance reservations are highly recommend and free.

I started my morning with a leisurely walk from The Westin Bonaventure to The Broad, enjoying sculptures and murals. Downtown Los Angeles is best experienced by foot.

One of my favorite places in the entire world is The Music Center. I had enough time to take a quick walk around the center, which is near The Broad. The Music Center has three theaters: The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion ( where my high school graduation was held), The Mark Taper Forum, and the Ahamanson. The Music Center is truly my happy place, even more so than Disneyland. On this morning, a Health Summit with Fran Drescher, from The Nanny, was taking place. Only in LA…

I discovered a cute cafe called Etchea, that was filled with locals and had a European vibe. It is located just around the corner from The Broad. I enjoyed a latte and croissant for breakfast.

At another nearby coffee shop, I found this sandwich board sign. I agree whole-heartedly. I’ve never been accused of being a “morning person,” but with the help of coffee, I can fake it!

When I reached The Broad, I found two queues. The shorter queue was for reservations. The longer queue, stretching around the exterior of the building, was for standby. I found this baffling, as reservations were a breeze to make, and I was visiting on a weekday in fall. Maybe people don’t like to lock down their schedule? I love vacation planning. Lack of concrete plans make me nervous.

Within ten minutes, I was inside the museum, and I walked straight to a second reservation queue. One of the most popular exhibits at The Broad is Japanese artist, Yayoi Kusama’s Mirror Infinity Rooms. The installation has a limited capacity, and reservations are only available by first come/first serve on the same day. I was placed into a virtual queue, and notified via text when it was my time to view the exhibit, which was approximately two hours after the museum opened. If you want to see the Mirror Infinity Rooms, you must arrive early to the museum and secure your spot.

The Broad has exhibits on the second and third floors of the museum. My visit lasted about four hours. I took my time and experienced everything. One of my favorite exhibits was Robert Therrien’s Under the Table, an enormous, larger-than-life dining set that museum goers can walk under and feel like they are in Alice in Wonderland.

The Broad has many pieces from some of my favorites like Warhol, Basquiat, and Lichtenstein. The shiny balloon animals and tulips by Koons were marvelous.

Prior to the Mirror Infinity Room, I was able to see another Kusama installation. This one was viewed by looking into a box, rather than entering the mirrored room. In the box, disco lights changed color. It was beautiful. Where the Mirror Infinity Room was celestial, this was more party.

When it came time to experience the Mirror Infinity Room, I joined a small queue outside of the installation. I was prepped on what to expect: the door would close behind me and I would have thirty second to experience the room. It was dazzling and magical. I felt like I was floating among stars.

Within an hour of opening, the museum was fairly crowded. I only took pictures in the Kusama exhibits for a few reasons:

The primary reason is I wanted to be present in the moment and fully experience The Broad, without the pressure of taking pictures.

The second reason is it was too crowded. The Kusama exhibits were the only places where I felt a moment of being alone. A moment of just me and the art.

The third reason is I get sad when I see everyone rushing to take pictures, rather than staying present. I feel like this is a modern problem, especially when visiting places like museums and concerts. It’s almost as if they want to prove they were there and share their pictures on Instagram, rather than have a real connection with the event. I could be wrong, as it is hard to judge the intentions of others, but this is a feeling that I get.

The Broad is a treasure in Los Angeles. Along with The Getty, it is a must-do museum when visiting Southern California.

Our guide, Neel, the owner of Downtown LA Walking Tours, moved us away from the Central Library, and to one of the most stunning buildings I have ever seen: The Fine Arts Building.

Built in 1927, The Fine Arts Building is an example of Romanesque Revival architecture. Its many adornments are dazzling. The interior features a courtyard that is filled with sculptures and decorations. I’m certain that Disney imagineers visited The Fine Arts Building to get inspiration for The Hollywood Tower of Terror attraction. There are so many similarities. I’m not taking an elevator ride!

We walked through the jewelry district.

Route 66 sign!

In my mid-twenties, I had a special day with my mom in downtown Los Angeles. When my mom was a toddler, her family moved from Minnesota to downtown Los Angeles, living in a two-bedroom apartment. I usually spent Tuesdays, with my mom, and one Tuesday, we just decided to skip our usually movie and lunch, and go driving. She showed me her old apartment, which she lived in during the 1940’s, and is still standing. We had lunch at Clifton’s Cafeteria, and we strolled through the theatre district. I heard stories that my mom had never shared with me and saw the locations of her childhood. This is where my maternal side put down roots in California.

Here’s a 1940’s picture of my mom and aunt at Clifton’s Cafeteria for their birthday. The older woman is my grandmother.

My Aunt Trudy is the first kid on the left and my mom is next to her.

Our architecture tour went through the theatre district. Some of the old palace style theatre are still standing, and many are being rented for special events or concerts. These were the theaters where my mom developed her love for the cinema; double-features and weekend matinees. The area is being gentrified, with stores like Apple and Urban Outfitters coming to the neighborhood. I’m not sure how I feel about the changes, but I hope with the influx of money, they will care to preserve Los Angeles history.

Anyone who follows Hollywood gossip will remember the 2015 allegations of abuse and the subsequent divorce between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard. We were able to see the outside of infamous apartment building where their fight took place. The Eastern Columbia Building, where Depp and Heard had the penthouse apartment, was built in 1930, and is an example of Art Deco design. The brilliant green building looks like something from The Wizard of Oz!

So unassuming that you’d walk right past it, this dive bar, called The Golden Gopher, has a very unique history. It was purchased by President Teddy Roosevelt in 1905! Back then it was called the Golden Sun Saloon.

Our tour ended in Pershing Square, but on the walk to the end, I spotted this beautiful mural. Los Angeles has some wonderful street art. I was supposed to talk an art tour later in the week, but it was canceled. I’ve put it to the top of my list for my next trip to Downtown Los Angeles.

And this one in Pershing Square. No matter where I move, my heart definitely belongs to the city of angels.

After the tour, I set off to explore. I found this great covered street of eateries.

But my main objective was to get lost in The Last Bookstore. I had heard of The Last Bookstore for years, but this was my first time visiting it. I can’t believe that I never went there when I lived so close to it. I missed out! It’s a gem.

The store spans two floors, and more than simply a bookstore ( not that a bookstore isn’t enough) it also contains several artisan stalls. The Last Bookstore is whimsical with art displays, and an amazing tunnel made of books. It’s a bit like falling down Alice’s rabbit hole. You never know what wonders you might find around the next corner.

Coming soon, more downtown goodness, including Angel’s Flight!