Downtown LA’s top 10 activities

Looking for a special idea for your favorite valentine? Here are a top 10 list of activities in downtown Los Angeles.


1.  Art Lovers:
Art lovers who are members of the Museum
of Contemporary Art
are
invited to attend an advance viewing of “Dan Graham: Beyond,” the
first North American survey of one of the foremost figures in contemporary art. 
Members are also invited to an opening party, with cash bar and music, starting
at 7 pm.  Not a member of MOCA? 

Visit the Fashion Institute of Merchandise and Design (FIDM) museum, and take
advantage of this exclusive Valentines deal: free admission to The 17th Annual
Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition: Celebrating Costumes for the
Outstanding Films of 2008.  Museum goers will also receive a surprise gift
from the FIDM Museum Store.  If you feel inspired, take a stroll down Gallery
Row and build your art collection.

 

2.  Traditional
Romantics
: For only $2, take a stroll and smell the roses at the
L.A. Flower Market, and buy a bouquet of the freshest flowers in the
area.  Afraid to come across as stingy?  Head to the Jewelry
District, one of the greatest concentrations of jewelry retailers and
manufacturers in the nation (with some of the best deals), to peruse and
purchase a something sparkly for your lover. 

 

Noe Restaurant and Bar at the Omni Los Angeles Hotel is
offering a six-course menu for couples in the mood for amour, “La Vie De
Bohem,” at $120 a person (includes tax and tip); wine pairing is
available for an additional $60 per person (includes tax and tip.)  Or go
to The Restaurant at The Standard for a three course prix fix menu for dinner,
specially created by chef Yuji Iwasa, including a Champagne Toast, for $60.00
per person. 

 

3.  Musically
Inclined
  Options abound in Downtown L.A. for music
lovers.  Start at the new Grammy
Museum
, where you can
take advantage of this exclusive V-Day 2-for-1 deal for couples
($15).   If you want to stay nearby, head to Club Nokia to see
Babyface or to the Nokia Theatre to see Mijares Y Manoella Torres’ La
Gira Del Amor.  If you favor more classical music, plan on seeing pianist
Jean-Yves Thibaudet play Gershwin, or, with tickets only $10 – $20, the
Penderecki String Quartet at the REDCAT Gallery.   

 

4.  Aspiring Hipsters
If you’re too cool for school, there are plenty of hipster hangouts in
Downtown.  Let the bright lights at the Museum of Neon Art
illuminate your heart – student tickets are $5 and adult tickets are
$7.  Skip the traditional, and head to Provecho for tequila tasting (80+
different tequilas) – or for the Chef’s Valentine’s Day
Aphrodisiac Tasting Menu. 

Older souls and traditionalists can go to the Irish-infused Seven Grand to
sample some of the 125 whiskeys at the hand-carved, black walnut bar. 
Continue your conversations about little-known bands at The Edison, an
intriguing lounge that celebrates the era of invention and imagination with
beautiful architecture and a fantastic drink menu, or revisit oldie-but-goodie
Golden Gopher.  And if you’re not ready to end your night (or
morning), go with a classic: The Pantry never closes.

 

5. Dancing Queens:  If you’re goal for V-day
is to further woo your significant other with your moves, fear not.  Put
on your dancing shoes and feel the beat at any of these venues: Get steamy at
The Mayan on Tropical Saturday.  Dine and dance at The Congo Room –
Start with dinner at Boca restaurant and slide into an easy salsa beat while
the orchestra and DJ play to move both your heart and feet into
excitement.  The Rooftop at The Standard will be hosting “2009
Sweethearts Party” featuring DJ Rockwell from the ’87 Sick Up Kids’ &
‘Swimming with Sharks’ fame.  Celebrate with heart shaped Jello, champagne
specials for one, two, or three, and the best DJs to serenade the cupid in you.
(21+. 1-7pm).

 

If you’re not in love, but love to dance, Elevate, a
stylish lounge that feels like a high-rise penthouse, will be hosting an
exclusive singles party from 7:30 – 9.  The club opens to the public
with Champagne specials for bottle service
tables starting at 9.

 

6.  Fun Lovers: The Center Theatre Group is offering three
musicals: “Pippin,” “Minsky'” and “Taking
Over,” with tickets starting at $20.  Feeling lucky?  Head to
L.A. Live and Lucky Strike Lanes, an upscale bowling lounge with billiards,
DJ’s and private party space. 

After eating dinner and bowling a perfect score, see if you’re equally as
talented in the vocal arena by going to Little Tokyo for late night karaoke and
sake.  Be prepared for a romantic duet with your significant other. 
Or head to Takami Sushi and Robata Restaurant, located 21 floors above the
Financial District, for unparalleled views of Los Angeles’ own
jewels.  In honor of the day of lovers, Takami will be offering their
regular a la carte menu, as well as complimentary red roses for all of the
ladies.      

 

7.  Sports Lovers
Do couples that sweat together, stay together?  Find out at Sexy
Couple’s Boot Camp at the New
Vista Hermosa
Park
, for $20 per
couple.  A picnic lunch, tailored to what the couple wants and served
after boot camp, can be added for extra.  The L.A. Kings are playing at
the STAPLES Center; continue the excitement
afterwards at the ESPN Zone. 

For $225, guests at the Los Angeles Athletic Club can enjoy a deluxe room for
one night, dinner for two at The Plunge to enjoy the Synchronized Swimming
Valentine Dinner, breakfast for two in the Grill Room, complimentary parking
and Valentines amenities.  

 

8.  Spa Goers
The Hilton Checkers is offering a discount for two on 60-minute couples Be Well
Massages, regularly $320 for two, discounted to $255 (gratuity not
included).  The package includes complimentary aromatherapy and Herbal
Foot Care Cream, as well as a 15-minute Fresh Face Massage for Her and
15-minute Thermal Fusion Hair and Scalp Revitalizer for Him.  At Neihule
Salon, couples can enjoy a “Bed of Roses” manicure and pedicure
with champagne for $45 each, a “Say I Love You” brazilian waxing
with design for $65, and a Valentine’s Day Blow-dry Style and Make-up
Touch-up for $65.     

 

9. History and Culture
Enthusiasts
:  Check out L.A.
from a tour bus. Luckily, StarLine Tours is offering an exclusive deal of
2-for-1 tickets ($30).  Likewise, the Los Angeles Conservancy is offering
2-for-1 admission ($10) for any regularly scheduled walking tour on Feb.
14.  (Reserve in advance, using discount code DCBID09). 

Discover Japanese history at the Japanese
American National
Museum, or explore “the birth
place of Los Angeles,”
Olvera Street
/ El Pueblo Historic Monument. If you just want to try something new, the
Millennium Biltmore is offering a Moroccan-themed dinner packages and live
belly dancers, starting at $120 per person for a regular table or $400 per
couple for a cabana table, bottle of Veuve Cliquot champagne and open bar
during dinner.      

 

10. Pet Lovers
So you’ve found someone that loves you and
dogs?  Celebrate by planning an outing that includes your
pets.  Enjoy a long stroll at The Cornfield (http://www.notacornfield.com/) or at Vista Hermosa
Park
.  Or spend the
day pampering your pets at Bark
Avenue
: spa treatment for dogs and cats includes
grooming, mani/pedi and massage, and the first 15 appointments booked for Feb.
14 receive a 20% discount.  For a purr-fect Valentines Day gift,
commemorate your relationship with that special cat or dog with a commissioned
portrait session by Sonia Paulino for $150. 

Is it just you and your pet fur-ever?  Treat your pet to a V-day spa day
and lunch at the Pawbar at Pussy and Pooch.  All baths include a blueberry
facial, freshly prepared meal for your pet from the in-store pet caf,
champagne and cupcakes for people and pupcakes for dogs. 

 

Want to make an entire weekend out of it?  Check out
these hotels for great deals and Valentine’s Day Packages:  Hilton
Checkers, Kyoto Grand, Los Angeles Athletic Club, Los Angles Marriott Downtown,
Sheraton Los Angeles Downtown and the Standard Hotel.  For more
information, go to www.downtownla.com.

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