THREE Cool Historic Things to do in Historic Downtown Los Angeles this 4th of July Weekend

First, of course, is The Last Bookstore's 11 AM to 1:30 PM walking tour of the secret histories of Historic Downtown Los Angeles Sunday, July 3rd.  Two and one-half hours of stories - and rare historic photographs - about the past, present and future of Historic Downtown for only $15!  All tours start at The Last Bookstore in the Spring Arts Tower 453 S. Spring at its 5th St. door. Call 213-804-8396 or just show up.

You can also call for a special 4th of July tour day/or  night - hours of your choosing and the bookstore will be open until 11 PM Saturday, 5 PM on Sunday and on the 4th, it will close early at 6 PM.

(photo courtsey of brighamyen.com)

And among the hidden in plain view secrets on these tours - is not just the oldest flagpole in LA - but the very first flagpole ever put in front of any commercial  building  in Los Angeles - clear back in the 1860's.

For more details of the tours go to:

http://historicdowntownlosangeles.blogspot.com/2011/06/this-weekends-tours-of-secret-lives-of.html

Above is a photo of the Bradbury Building which we will be visiting. You can see other photos of this building on this great a great LA-centric photo  blog:

http://laplaces.blogspot.com/2009/05/bradbury-building.html

SECOND, if you have not yet been to... LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes (aka - LA PLAZA)...  a just opened museum about the stories of Mexican American in Los Angeles - shame on you!

But your oversight is, unfortunately, totally understandable as this superb museum has so far gotten shamefully little press.  However, the good news on this 4th of July weekend is that your procrastination will pay off for since admission tickets are $2 off.  The museum is located at 501 N. Main Street - across from the Plaza and Olvera Street) in two historic old buildings, the 1883 Plaza House and the 1888 Vickry-Brunswig Building.

(photos courtesy of blogdowntown,  walknride LA and DiscoverLA)

The museum will be open from noon to 7 PM both Sunday and Monday, but you must enter by 6 PM to be admitted and it is better to allow two full hours to fully see everything

THIRD, and speaking of saving money, METROPOLIS BOOKS, also on Main Street between 4th and 5th, has a July sale with 20% off all new books - and a full 50% off of all used books!  They are located at 440 S. Main Street.  Their phone number is 213-612-0174 and their web address is http://www.metropolisbooksla.com/

Metropolis Books is Downtown's only general interest new book store and it always has a superb collection of new books on Los Angeles and Downtown in particular.

So come this Saturday July 2nd and visit all three places - or on Sunday July 3rd plus onMonday the 4th, you can call and ask for a special tour of Historic Downtown on Monday after which (or even before) you can also see the... LA PLAZA.