48 Hours in LA

48 Hours in LA

How to spend a short weekend in the City of Angels

By Patricia Harrison

While you can spend months exploring the neighborhoods of Los Angeles without running out of new things to see and do, the city is also the perfect destination for a quick weekend escape. Because there are so many tried-and-true attractions—from the Grand Central Market to Santa Monica Pier— you can’t go wrong however you decide to fill your itinerary. Whether you’re planning a trip around an event or hankering for a couple days of California sun, check out our 48-hour itinerary for inspiration.

LA Strong

While some parts of Los Angeles are still recovering following the wildfires that erupted in January, the city is welcoming visitors and most main attractions are open. If you’re unsure whether to visit certain businesses, contact them directly. But more than 98 percent of LA is undamaged and visiting the city can support the local community.

2025 Events to Plan a Trip Around

Los Angeles Times Festival of Books (April 26–27)
This free two-day literary and cultural celebration—the largest of its kind in the nation—features a schedule of panels, readings, opportunities to mingle with authors and storytellers and tons of exhibitors at the University of Southern California campus.

FIFA Club World Cup 2025 (June 15, 17, 19, 21, 23 and 25)
This summer, LA’s Rose Bowl Stadium will host six FIFA Club World Cup matches. Teams playing include Paris Saint-Germain, Atlético de Madrid, Botafogo, CF Monterrey, CA River Plate, FC Internazionale Milano and Urawa Red Diamonds.

Taste of Soul (October 18)
This one-day street fair brings more than 350,000 attendees to historic Crenshaw Boulevard every 3rd Saturday in October to honor the community and culture of south Los Angeles. Groove to live gospel, R&B, jazz and dance tunes and pick up eats from dozens of local food vendors.

Day 1

Fuel up with breakfast at Grand Central Market, a food hall that has been in continuous operation in Downtown LA since 1917. Today, the market’s 40 stalls are occupied by a mix of longtime legacy vendors and rising stars in the culinary scene selling empanadas, pastries, egg sandwiches, lattes, fresh pasta and lots more.


The Broad Contemporary Art Museum | Leonid Andronov - stock.adobe.com

Mosey to the Broad to admire the art museum’s striking architecture and view masterpieces by Jeff Koons, Takashi Murakami, Andy Warhol and other contemporary artists (admission is free, but we recommend booking tickets in advance). Then pop into Bestia, a hot spot in the Arts District for wood-fired Italian cuisine, to devour Margherita pizza and house-made ricotta gnocchi. Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the Museum of Contemporary Art, the only artist-founded museum in the city, or checking out the street art and galleries of the Arts District. Look for the many famous murals in the neighborhood such as highlights from the Global Angel Wings Project.

For dinner, feast on ceviche, tacos and churros in a Mexico City–inspired ambience at LA Cha Cha Chá or enjoy inventive family-style dishes injected with flavors and techniques from around the globe in an airy, industrial-chic space at Girl and the Goat LA. After you’ve satisfied your appetite, see a show at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, home to the LA Philharmonic, or the Ahmanson Theater, which hosts musicals, concerts and dance performances. End your evening with a glass of wine or Champagne at Perch, a rooftop bar featuring nightly live music and DJs, tons of leafy plants and breathtaking views of the sparkling skyline.

Day 2

Start your day in Hollywood with coffee and a stack of hotcakes at The Griddle Cafe (it has more than a dozen kinds to choose from, including ones made with Frosted Flakes and strawberries). If pancakes aren’t your forte, the no-frill cafe is also known for its huevos rancheros, scrambles and breakfast tacos. For the rest of the morning, stroll the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Check out the iconic star-studded sidewalk, the TCL Chinese Theatre and the famous handprints of Hollywood legends such as Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley. Then head to the Griffith Observatory for spectacular photo opps of the city and the iconic Hollywood sign. You can explore the exhibits inside, too, or just take in the iconic sights from the observation deck.


Hollywood Walk of Fame | Rawf8 - stock.adobe.com

Lunch calls for martinis and chicken Parmigiana or prime rib at Musso & Frank Grill, a Hollywood landmark that’s been serving classic steakhouse and Italian-American fare since 1919. Afterward, head to Santa Monica for a stroll by the beach and on the famed pier. You can also visit the aquarium, or take a ride on the Ferris wheel to take in some coastal views.

Before dinner, walk around the Third Street Promenade in Downtown Santa Monica, an area lined with upscale retailers and boutiques, to shop for clothing, accessories and other souvenirs. Once hunger strikes, grab a table at The Lobster to splurge on grilled California spiny lobster, clam chowder and shrimp cocktail. Order a round of margaritas to raise a glass to your LA adventures.

Where to Stay

Conrad Los Angeles
Conrad is situated in The Grand LA, a sprawling shopping, dining and entertainment complex in Downtown Los Angeles. The nearly three-year-old hotel has a sleek rooftop pool and bar, a public art gallery featuring local artists, and two dining options from renowned chef and humanitarian José Andrés.

Omni Los Angeles Hotel
Guests love the cozy amenities (think: plush robes,  triple-sheeted beds and in-room spa treatments) at this Omni property near Dodger Stadium. Enjoy weekend brunch serenaded by live jazz on Sundays; or hang out at the heated outdoor pool, which is open year-round.

Loews Hollywood Hotel
Loews Hollywood Hotel, located within walking distance of the Hollywood Bowl, is an ideal home base for taking in the sights and sounds of Los Angeles' star-studded area. The property has lots of perks for those traveling with two- or four-legged family members, including baby bath kits, complimentary cribs and room service menus for cats and dogs.

Book these hotels, and more, using the TSA rate code in the GDS. Non-GDS users can book these hotels using tripXpress.

Banner photo: Griffith Observatory and Los Angeles Skyline

Miami’s Glitz and Glam Gets a Cultural Renaissance

Miami’s Glitz and Glam Gets a Cultural Renaissance

By Jessica Montevago

From glamorous South Beach and the colorful Wynwood, to vibrant Little Havana and the upscale Design District – Miami contains multitudes. The city has grown into a cultural hub, shedding its reputation as the quintessential spring break destination known for its unrivaled nightlife and beaches (though you can still count on a thriving club scene).


Wynwood Walls | Justin Blount - stock.adobe.com

The Wynwood District is the heart of the city’s contemporary art scene. It’s home to more than 50 blocks of murals, galleries, and boutiques. Travelers can snap pictures for Instagram at the Wynwood Walls, an open-air street art museum, before checking out the Museum of Graffiti, a first of its kind.

Thanks in part to Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Colombian diasporas, Miami is home to the largest Hispanic communities in the United States. That’s evident in the restaurants and popular ventanitas (takeout windows) that flank the area, serving Latin inspired cuisine. No trip to Miami is complete without Cuban food, so a stop in Little Havana is non-negotiable. Visit the lauded La Trova on Calle Ocho for a retro atmosphere and the croquetas. For more casual fare, share plates of yucca fries, pork tamales, and empanadas at Old’s Havana Cuban Bar & Cocina down the street.


Little Havana | 4kclips - stock.adobe.com

Miami has also become home to professional sports teams. The thunderous roars of Formula 1 race cars will make its way back to the Miami Grand Prix in May. Soccer fans from around the world will head to Hard Rock Stadium for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in June, a prelude to the 2026 World Cup hosted in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The month-long tournament will match up Europe’s Real Madrid, Manchester City and Bayern Munich; along with South American Fluminense, Boca Juniors and River Plate.

Where to stay

SLS South Beach Miami
SLS South Beach opened June 2012 inside a 1939 Art Deco masterpiece designed by famed architect L. Murray Dixon. Inside, a color palette of white, black, and soft pink juxtaposes “just the right touch of opulence” – a nod to French aristocracy with ornate décor and tapestry-lined walls. Spacious villas are perched above the hotel pool and offer an eagle eye view of the famed parties at Hyde Beach. At the recently opened Cartagena South Beach, Michelin-starred chef Juan Manuel Barrientos celebrates the flavors of his native Colombia.

Hotel Arya, BW Premier Collection
Whether you need a property a short ride from Miami International Airport or looking for a getaway nestled in a quiet part of the city, Hotel Arya, BW Premier Collection offers sweeping views of Biscayne Bay at the heart of Coconut Grove. Start the day at the breakfast buffet before getting a game in at the professional squash courts. Guests can then stroll the upscale neighborhood, exploring the sidewalk cafes and shops in and around the CocoWalk mall. Back at the hotel, unwind at the 8th floor poolside overlooking the skyline.

Kimpton EPIC Hotel
The slick 54-story Kimpton EPIC Hotel in downtown Miami is in walking distance to the nightlife and dining offerings of nearby Brickell. A marble lobby greets guests, before they head up to one of 411 rooms and suites, outfitted with wood furniture and floor-to-ceiling windows.

For discerning clients, the 29th and 30th floors have club rooms with a private members lounge and complimentary food service. Head to the 16th-floor pool deck, where two angular infinity pools and the acclaimed Exhale Spa await. For an upscale meal, the Japanese fine dining Zuma is a hotspot for the celebrity crowd. Or try Area 31 for Mediterranean and seafood in a laidback dining room.

W Miami Hotel
Staying in the Brickell District has the added benefit of getting away from the crowds of South Beach. Located right within the ten-acre Icon Brickell enclave in the heart of the financial district, W Miami is a stylish 118-room hotel. At every turn, the property offers magnificent views of the cityscape or Miami River. Whether it’s from the floor-to-ceiling windows that line the guestrooms, the rooftop pool, or the 15th floor bar. The new restaurant, TULUM, serves up South American fare in a beautifully designed interior. Inspired by nature, the space is designed with earthy hues, natural wood, and greenery. Menu highlights include seafood paella and tacos de birria.

Nautilus Sonesta Miami Beach
Boasting direct access to a pristine stretch of South Beach, Nautilus Sonesta Miami Beach is an ideal stay for an upscale beach getaway. After a day at the beach, guests can take a dip in the 1,900-square-foot saltwater pool complete with an underwater sound system and poolside cabanas. There’s also a splash pool for little ones. The 250-key boutique property’s accommodations range from the Two-Queen Rooms to the 1500-square-foot Penthouse with its private outdoor terrace.


Miami has evolved into a diverse and dynamic cultural hub. Whether it’s exploring the murals of Wynwood, indulging in Cuban cuisine in Little Havana, or attending the excitement of Formula 1 and FIFA events, there's something for every type of traveler. From luxurious stays at art-deco hotels to quiet retreats with stunning city views, Miami offers a range of accommodations suited for all preferences, making it a top destination for both relaxation and adventure.

Book these hotels, and more, using the TSA rate code in the GDS. Non-GDS users can book these hotels using tripXpress.

Banner photo: Biscayne Bay and Miami Skyline

 

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