The Music Center
The Music Center
4.5
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Neighborhood: Downtown
Downtown Los Angeles is a busy metropolis of towering buildings, bustling streets, and industrial warehouses. There is a distinct multiplicity of cultures here with a growing influx of business professionals and hipsters. Many call the evolution of Downtown over recent years gentrification. New lofts, bars, hotels and restaurants are popping up regularly. Downtown is home to some of the very best restaurants in the city leading the LA foodie scene, plus it is the location of cultural and sports venues including the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Staples Center, and the Coliseum at the University of Southern California.
How to get there
- East LA Civic Center • 4 min walk
- Civic Center/Grand Park • 4 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
21 reviews
Excellent
11
Very good
6
Average
4
Poor
0
Terrible
0
permia
Ireland40,976 contributions
Oct 2019
A unique assembly of performance auditoria is one of the largest performing arts centres in the US. The most recent stunning addition is the Walt Disney Hall which was unveiled in 2003.
Fortunate to attend a LA Phil performance we marvelled at the Gehry design and the magnificent performance space with superb acoustics.
We were delighted to see Renee Fleming in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, performing in the most enjoyable Light in the Piazza.
A lovely concourse around the performance venues has open air cafes and water features.
Fortunate to attend a LA Phil performance we marvelled at the Gehry design and the magnificent performance space with superb acoustics.
We were delighted to see Renee Fleming in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, performing in the most enjoyable Light in the Piazza.
A lovely concourse around the performance venues has open air cafes and water features.
Written January 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
amyincali2016
Garden Grove, CA35 contributions
Mar 2018
The Music Center consists of 3 theaters, The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, the Ahmanson, and the Mark Taper Forum, I haven't been the the Dorothy Chandler in years, but I have visited the Ahmanson and Taper many times, The Ahmanson is the theater that has the "bigger" shows musicals, comedies, and dramas. The Taper is a much smaller, intimate theater, almost in the round.
Both places are excellent if you are a theater fan. They have prices in every budget.
In addition to the theaters, there are several good eating venues, all owned and operated by Patina Restaurants,
Both places are excellent if you are a theater fan. They have prices in every budget.
In addition to the theaters, there are several good eating venues, all owned and operated by Patina Restaurants,
Written April 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Oscarsee
Singapore, Singapore271 contributions
Apr 2019 • Family
Ok, our family happened to just go in and wanted to have a look around. We found out that there were 2 options of walking tour. One was on your own with a hearing device that would guide you through the place and the other was a guided tour.
If you have the time to spare, minimum 2 hours; take the guide tour. We had a fantastic guide Kathy Hubbard who was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. She made the dry topic of architecture, buildings and history so interesting. Thumbs up to Kathy and The Music Centre Symphonians 👍🏻
If you have the time to spare, minimum 2 hours; take the guide tour. We had a fantastic guide Kathy Hubbard who was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. She made the dry topic of architecture, buildings and history so interesting. Thumbs up to Kathy and The Music Centre Symphonians 👍🏻
Written April 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
markj4golf
Ontario, CA491 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
SO, just the average rating as there is a ton of construction going on in the courtyard of the center.... it will be beautiful when completed but as of right now... not really anything to talk about.... the theaters are great (went to the Ahmanson this trip), and look forward to having it completed as to enjoy the pre show comforts of the outdoor seating.
Written July 18, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cape-SoCal
La Quinta, CA525 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
#Humans We have been seasons ticket holders for decades and if you are open to having a show truly move you this is a must see. This poor family is so dysfunctional it makes you feel happy about your own life. Everyone can identify with some aspect of this drama. The writing and ensemble cast is some of the best that I have ever seen. The acting nuisances and subtleties definitely did not go unnoticed. A must see for theater fanatics or just people that want to eavesdrop on an afternoon in a family’s challenging life.
Written July 2, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DavidG897
London, UK3,079 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
Enjoyed a free tour that focused on the exterior of the Walt Disney concert hall and the interiors of the Taper, Chandler and the Ahmanson theaters. We saw the stunning stage settings within and the no-expense spared auditorium of each one.
Written April 17, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sachin_Zarekar
Thane, India480 contributions
Sep 2017 • Family
Dorothy Chandler theater (opera and dance), Mark Taper theater (play) and Ahmanson theater (musical) are the 3 theatres in the centre. A must visit for all theatre lovers.
Written September 7, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steven A
Santa Clarita, CA214 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
The music center has multiple live performance theaters and is the place to go for seeing live theater in Los Angeles. Since you have The Dorothy Chandler for music, The Mark Taper for new style of theater and the Ahmanson for more traditional plays you have it all . This is completed by great grounds on site parking and restaurants both on site and with in walking distance. Some come just to see the fountains and grounds, most for the full theater experience. Check for last minute discounts. Tickets at their website or at discount for some performances on Goldstar. Enjoy dinner , or lunch and a play.
Written August 28, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David M
Los Angeles, CA35 contributions
Jan 2017 • Family
My wife and daughter and I went to see Amelie at the Ahmanson Theater, which is part of the overall Music Center. I've been there before to see plays and it generally a very nice crowd. This evening was exceptional because it was clear, there were no hawkers bothering you or obnoxious buskers. It was just a nice night out with the newly developed park between the courthouse and County building all aglow with light. It was very nice. Nearby are a host of good restaurants, like the Blue Cow, and Museums - the Broad and the LAMOCA. Want to see those.
Written January 17, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Arncliffegirl
Sydney978 contributions
Aug 2016 • Friends
My sister and I went on the 90min free tour, led by the wonderful Carol Smith, on 2 August 2016. It includes all four auditoria, and because there were no performances scheduled we were able to enter the Disney Concert Hall, as well as all of the others.
The tour takes you into some special places, such as the Founders' Room in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion (no photos allowed), and the smaller Ahmanson and Taper theatres.
Carol was engaging and enthusiastic - exactly what you want in a tour - the passion of someone who loves the centre, and conveys that so spectacularly well.
I had done an equally as wonderful tour 18 months previously, and as a consequence had attended a performance of the LA Philharmonic (excellent) . I now had the opportunity to share the experience with someone else.
Great venue, great tour! Keep it up LA Music Centre!
The tour takes you into some special places, such as the Founders' Room in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion (no photos allowed), and the smaller Ahmanson and Taper theatres.
Carol was engaging and enthusiastic - exactly what you want in a tour - the passion of someone who loves the centre, and conveys that so spectacularly well.
I had done an equally as wonderful tour 18 months previously, and as a consequence had attended a performance of the LA Philharmonic (excellent) . I now had the opportunity to share the experience with someone else.
Great venue, great tour! Keep it up LA Music Centre!
Written August 16, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Frequently Asked Questions about The Music Center
- Hotels near The Music Center:
- (0.15 mi) Conrad Los Angeles
- (0.36 mi) Omni Los Angeles Hotel at California Plaza
- (0.14 mi) WD Concert Hall Dowtown LA 30 Day Rentals
- (0.57 mi) citizenM Los Angeles Downtown
- (0.46 mi) The L.A. Grand Hotel Downtown
- Restaurants near The Music Center:
- (0.01 mi) Abernethy
- (0.01 mi) The Mullin Wine Bar
- (0.04 mi) Abernethy's
- (0.10 mi) Starbucks
- (0.07 mi) Kendall’s Brasserie