LAUS layover ideas

[lthanlon]

Next month, I'll have several hours' layover at Los Angeles Union Station before catching the Southwest Chief for Chicago at 6:45 p.m. Aside from Olvera Street, is there anything of interest within walking distance?

 

[zephyr17]

Next month, I'll have several hours' layover at Los Angeles Union Station before catching the Southwest Chief for Chicago at 6:45 p.m. Aside from Olvera Street, is there anything of interest within walking distance?

Eat at Phillipes, the original French Dip sandwich place! A couple of blocks north on Alameda on the west side of the street. Great french dip, great breakfasts, and a "train musuem" in the back room with a bunch of cool photos (including a Santa Fe engine that ran off the end of the track at LAUPT and is suspended over Aliso Street.)

I never go through LA Union Station without going up to Phillipes.

 

[lthanlon]

Next month, I'll have several hours' layover at Los Angeles Union Station before catching the Southwest Chief for Chicago at 6:45 p.m. Aside from Olvera Street, is there anything of interest within walking distance?

Eat at Phillipes, the original French Dip sandwich place! A couple of blocks north on Alameda on the west side of the street. Great french dip, great breakfasts, and a "train musuem" in the back room with a bunch of cool photos (including a Santa Fe engine that ran off the end of the track at LAUPT and is suspended over Aliso Street.)

I never go through LA Union Station without going up to Phillipes.

Thanks, zephyr17! I'm a huge french dip fan, so I'll check it out. Now, this is the kind of french dip with thinly sliced beef, right? Nothing is worse than a french dip with slabs.

 

[Rumpled]

Phillipe's

 

[lthanlon]

Phillipe's

Their website looks great. Thanks for the recommendations!

 

[the_traveler]

Thanks, zephyr17! I'm a huge french dip fan, so I'll check it out. Now, this is the kind of french dip with thinly sliced beef, right? Nothing is worse than a french dip with slabs.

Yes, thinly sliced - and no dip, single dipped, and double dipped!

From LAUS, go out the main door to the street and turn right. Go 1 1/2 blocks - and it's on your left!

 

[zephyr17]

Thanks, zephyr17! I'm a huge french dip fan, so I'll check it out. Now, this is the kind of french dip with thinly sliced beef, right? Nothing is worse than a french dip with slabs.

Yes, thinly sliced - and no dip, single dipped, and double dipped!

From LAUS, go out the main door to the street and turn right. Go 1 1/2 blocks - and it's on your left!

Get the double dipped -- you don't get a cup of the au jus. Yum.

 

[lthanlon]

I'm hungry already. Thanks!

 

[guest]

There are also a lot of interesting museums within walking distance of Alameda St (Union Station). Kitty-corner from Olvera Street Plaza in a restored brick building is the Chinese History Museum of Los Angeles. LA's extensive Chinatown (as in the film) was largely destroyed in 1935 to make way for the construction of Union Station.

A short walk up Alameda to First Street brings you to Little Tokyo, with the National Japanese American Museum, again with lots of photos and exhibits about LA's history, especially in the first half of the 20th century when fishing and agriculture were dominated by first-generation Japanese immigrants, before WW II and Relocation Camps.

The Temporary Contemporary museum annex of the LA Museum of Modern Art is right in Little Tokyo as well. The main museum is a walk up First Street to Bunker Hill, a 20-minute jaunt where the futuristic Disney Concert Hall is located as well. But you can also catch one of many DASH shuttle lines that run throughout downtown LA and connect to Union Station.

I'd try to see one of these sites in addition to just eating at Philippe's. After all, you're going to be doing a lot of eating once you board the Southwest Chief.

The information desk in Union Station (at the north end of the cavernous waiting room right before the Alameda Street exit) can ply you with plenty of details.

 

[sportbiker]

The Metro Gold Line, which stops at Union Station, can take you to The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art), accessible from the Little Tokyo station, or Old Town Pasadena, accessible from the Del Mar station.

The Metro Purple Line (terminating at Union Station) can take you to The Music Center (incl. Disney Hall) via the Civic Center station (use the 1st Street portal), while the Metro Red Line (terminating at Union Station and track-sharing with the Purple Line for some of its length) can take you to the Music Center or to the heart of Hollywood at the Hollywood and Vine station or the Hollywood and Highland station.

 

[greatcats]

I have been to several fabulous concerts this week at Walt Disney Hall. You might want to go up there if you are there by early afternoon and take a tour of Disney Hall and the other music Center Buildings like i did yesterday. I ended up having a good time in downtown LA. Last night I heard the pianist Emmanuel Ax and cellist Yo Yo Ma. Just take the Red or Purple line from Union Station one stop to Civic Center. Also, have a look in Our Lady of Angels RC Cathedral, which is nearby the Music Center.

 

[GG-1]

Last night I heard the pianist Emmanuel Ax and cellist Yo Yo Ma.

Aloha

You were so lucky to hear Yo Yo Ma play, he is so gifted a musician, and a fine gentelman to work for. He soloed with the Honolulu Symphony about 2 years ago. Because he liked a piece the Orchestra was playing and to warm up for his Solo he slipped on stage sat 2nd chair to the newest Symphony Cellist. She was so thrilled, she could have walked on the ceiling.