A short stroll northwest of Union Station, this compact, colorful district is where LA’s first colonists settled in 1781. Wander through narrow Olvera St’s vibrant and family-owned Mexican-themed stalls and check out the district's museums, the best of which is LA Plaza, offering snapshots of the Mexican American experience in Los Angeles. The Avila Adobe, built in 1818, is one of LA's oldest buildings. The eye-opening Museum of Social Justice looks at local history through the filters of poverty, women’s suffrage and civil rights.
The district's other worthy stops include the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles and the neighboring América Tropical Interpretive Center. From the latter you can view Mexican artist David Alfaro Siquerios' celebrated (and once-controversial) rooftop mural. Tip: to make the most of the area, avoid visiting on Monday, when many of the museums are closed.
