Downtown Los Angeles makes NatGeo Traveler’s List of 28 Friendliest Neighborhoods in US

National Geographic Traveler is constantly in search of qualities that make for an unforgettable travel experience and this year, Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA) was named to Traveler’s data-backed index of the 28 friendliest neighborhoods in the United States in its June/July 2019 issue.

New data from the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board shows that nearly 30 per cent of all visitors to Los Angeles – and more than 3/4 of all international visitors – include DTLA on their itinerary, cementing the neighborhood as a “not-to-miss” L.A. experience. They also give it five stars: 93% of visitors surveyed said they were satisfied or very satisfied with their DTLA venture, and virtually all would recommend visiting the neighborhood to family and friends.

Nearly 22 per cent of all visitor spending in L.A. from 2018 occurred in Downtown Los Angeles, illustrating the depth of culinary, shopping, hotel, entertainment and cultural experiences the neighborhood offers. In fact, visitors to DTLA follow a “See, Shop & Sip” itinerary with 31 per cent visiting a museum or art gallery; 57 per cent shopping; and 32 per cent checking out the neighborhood’s bars or clubs. Dining is the primary reason people visit DTLA (55.8 per cent of respondents) and the area is home to four newly minted MICHELIN Guide Stars and 12 new Bib Gourmand selections. Los Angeles has more museums and performing arts venues than any other US city, and Downtown L.A. alone has nearly 100.

“Our rallying cry for the better part of three years has been ‘Everyone is Welcome’ in Los Angeles, and this accolade shows the power of that inclusive message. Our residents hailing from more than 140 countries who speak more than 224 languages are proud to show visitors what the L.A. lifestyle means,” stated Ernest Wooden Jr., chief executive officer for the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board. “Downtown Los Angeles is bustling with new development, brimming with under-the-radar experiences and bursting with culture.”