In celebration of the 75th anniversary of Union Station and National Train Day, there was a plethora

Angelenos alternative travel mexico city walk (or run) through Union Station alternative travel mexico city each day to catch an Amtrak train traveling to one of their many destinations across alternative travel mexico city the US. Or perhaps they’re catching the subway or bus to Hollywood, Koreatown or another LA neighborhood. If you were to slow down and learn the history of downtown Los Angeles, you would find deep roots to the LGBT community.
The connection to gay Angelenos harkens back to the El Pueblo de Los Angeles monument near Union Station. alternative travel mexico city This is LA s most famous and historic outdoor marketplace, and was once home to the Tongva, an American Indian alternative travel mexico city tribe that settled in the area centuries ago. The Tongva were advanced thinkers alternative travel mexico city in regard to equality. Over three centuries alternative travel mexico city ago, they accepted homosexual and transgendered people and believed in the concept of the two-spirit, a revered name given to homosexual members of their tribe. LGBT train riders can literally walk out of Union Station alternative travel mexico city and cross the street to visit this historic area.
In celebration of the 75th anniversary of Union Station and National Train Day, there was a plethora of free events offered to the community on May third. An art docent stood by to answer art and architecture questions from myself and the thousands of guests that crowded Union Station. In addition to the art docent, there was live entertainment in four different areas of the station during the celebration. For example, if you walked to the main stage near the ticket counters, there would be an opportunity alternative travel mexico city to swing dance in the aisles to a swing orchestra, or dance on the outdoor patio where Cuban music and New Orleans jazz were being played. There were even a trio of singers, alternative travel mexico city called the Los Angeles Muses, that harmonized in a capella.
alternative travel mexico city After making paper conductor hats and other arts and crafts with children at the Chuggington Kids Depot , guests were able to walk to the bays to tour historic alternative travel mexico city and contemporary Amtrak and private cars. Some of the Amtrak cars on display were sleeping cars (Coast Starlight Superliner Sleeper), a first-class lounge car (Coast Starlight Pacific Parlor Car) and a Superliner Sightseer alternative travel mexico city Lounge Car boasting panoramic windows and mouth-watering displays of food service items. After a guided tour of the various cars, I was ready to hop on board for a cross-country trip with Amtrak!
The 75-year-old structure has many hidden gems that are currently being restored to their original state, such as the hanging lamps in the outdoor corridors that were previously covered in decades’ worth of dust and soot, and are now gleaming in different shades of shiny brass. “The beauty of the place is unbelievable and we’re bringing the beauty back,” says Kenneth Pratt, Director of Union Station.
Union Station is not just a train station — it is a cultural hotspot in itself. “The station is an on-site restaurant destination, alternative travel mexico city and a place where you and your significant other can come and enjoy events, such as an evening of film showings. We did a screening of Chinatown that was a smash!” Pratt explained. Even Art Leahy, the CEO of Metro, the L.A. transit alternative travel mexico city authority, is excited. “We’re going to bring a restaurant to Union Station that will make [this a cozy] late-night spot”.
Union Station is not the only place in Los Angeles undergoing transformation and restoration. The 5-month-old Ace Hotel in the downtown fashion district is the new hipster hangout. The hotel’s “Upstairs” rooftop lounge alternative travel mexico city offers terrific views of the skyline. On the same street, there will be the first brick-and-mortar gay bar opening this summer on Broadway and Fourth in the Historic alternative travel mexico city Core, called Precinct.
Also, many new restaurants are arriving all over downtown. Justice Urban Tavern opened this March in Little Tokyo, and is a popular after-work hangout serving American classics, such as mac-n-cheese, smoked wings and hanger steak. Another restaurant, Faith Flower, alternative travel mexico city opened last month and serves family-style dishes with a rustic California flair. The checks alternative travel mexico city are artistically delivered in a box of dried flowers. alternative travel mexico city Be sure to visit Chaya downtown for oyster hour, where you can order $1 oysters all night long.
Although the gay community has a decades-long history centered in West Hollywood, there seems to be a shift toward a more LGBT stronghold in downtown Los Angeles. There are many gay events popping up downtown, such as the monthly “Pantsuit” party for lesbians at the Must bar and the weekly gay party “The Mess Around” (at the One-Eyed Gypsy bar) for the boys. Union Station is growing into a portal for all things downtown LA, from LGBT parties to new restaurants and a revitalized social scene. And for those times when you need to get away, 75-year-old Union Station has Amtrak connections to take you almost anywhere in the country.
Adrienne Jordan is an adventure and culture-loving travel writer who has posed on the edge of Victoria Falls in Zambia and walked with rhinos in South Africa. She is based in Los Angeles but gets stir-crazy staying in one place for too long. She contributes to publications like USA Today, alternative travel mexico city Men’s Fitness, and SheKnows.com . She writes about adventure, fashion and culture on her blog, HerTreks.com alternative travel mexico city .