Amazing Architecture continues with the Walt Disney Concert Hall

Across the road from the Broad Museum is the Frank Gehry designed Walt Disney Concert Hall. Built in his characteristic style of curved and twisted stainless steel forms, Gehry's concert hall was altered from its original stone to steel cladding to meet design specifications for earthquakes. Whilst the building has the name of Walt Disney from its financial benefactor, it is owned by the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Every twist and turn in the building was an amazing photo opportunity.

Day 8: Heading Downtown to the Broad, Walt Disney Concert Hall and Olvera Street Mexican Village

Today we use our 'tap' subway tickets (much like an Opal card but it can only be used a day at a time for under a weeks stay) to go 'downtown' into the city of Los Angeles.  First, we visited the iconic 'Last Bookshop', a huge store full of second hand and new books in an old heritage building. The displays were set up like an art installation and provided loads of atmosphere.

The Last Bookshop in downtown LA

Our mid morning booking at The Broad, a new contemporary art museum, was an exciting experience with so many famous works by artists such as Jeff Koons, Barbara Kruger, Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol. The building was an amazing design as well.

Crossing the road outside the Broad Art Museum

Callum and Emma with two of Jeff Koon's famous sculptures - Rabbit and Balloon Dog

Looking at Warhol

Oly and a Jean Michel Basquiat

Outside the famous Broad museum

Day 7: Heading southwest for some warmth - California, here we come!

After a very early start, we flew out of a chilly New York at 9.30am, to arrive well before the estimated arrival tIme to a warm and balmy Los Angeles. It took an hour to get through traffic to arrive at our hotel - the Holiday Inn Express.

A view from our bus - you can't complain about Sydney traffic until you see Los Angeles freeway bottlenecks....and this was at 1.30 in the afternoon! 

This afternoon in Los Angeles, we visited the Hollywood and Highland shopping complex with views of the Hollywood sign through the arch.

We walked down along Hollywood Boulevard to see the Chinese Mann Theatre and footprint and hand prints of famous actors and personalities.

Starstruck travellers who also had a bit of a spending spree in Victoria's Secret.

Dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe

On our last night in New York, we had dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square. It was busy and noisy, but had some great music playing to add to its rock n' roll atmosphere.

Radio City Musical Hall

This afternoon we had an organised tour through Radio City Concert Hall. Built in an Art Deco design, the concert hall has become a heritage listed building after earlier threats of its demolition. Now it is home to many events such as the Tony Awards, America's Got Talent, and performers such as Adele.

The immense size of the concert hall.

On the stage of Radio City

Rockette costumes

Elia, Rose, Sandy, Aly and Jordi with a Rockette

Tiffany's and a glass cube with an apple near Central Park

After our exciting morning at MoMA, we wandered up 5th Avenue to find some more New York gems - Tiffany's and the Apple Store.

Not quite breakfast at Tiffany's; more like looking for lunch outside of Tiffany's.

Just like the glass pyramid at the Louvre in Paris, New York has its own interpretation.

Drawing atop a rock in Central Park

Starbucks and a little bit of 'Love'

During our breaks visiting museums and attractions we took in some America culture getting a 'coffee' or hot chocolate from Starbucks. We enjoyed our hot cuppa surrounded by Love - that is, Robert Indiana's Famous Love sculpture!

Robert Indiana's 'Love' sculpture at 55th and 6th Avenue NY.

Starbucks coffee - an American institution!