LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, Mexican American museum in downtown Los Angeles, United States
LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes occupies two beautifully restored buildings from the 1880s in downtown Los Angeles, creating a hub for learning about Mexican American history. The complex includes spaces for exhibitions, a teaching kitchen, outdoor areas for performances, and gardens.
The museum opened in 2011 near the original settlement site where the city of Los Angeles was established in 1781 by people from Spanish colonies. The restored buildings date from the 1880s, a period when this area was a thriving center for the Mexican American community.
The displays focus on how Mexican Americans built and shaped this city over generations through their work, creativity, and communities. You see their influence everywhere, from street names to local traditions that are still alive today.
The location is easy to navigate on foot, with outdoor spaces open during the day that invite you to explore at your own pace. Plan to spend time in the gardens and check what events or classes might be happening during your visit.
One striking feature is a recreation of a 1920s street with period storefronts that shows what daily life looked like in this neighborhood during that era. Walking through this recreated space gives you a direct sense of how people lived and worked in that time.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
