Whether you’re a Tourist or a Townie, there’s always something different and fun to do in the Los Angeles area.  But the cost of fun in the City of Angels can add up fast.  Below is number 20 in a series of 25 things to do in Los Angeles that will cost $25 or less.

I spent the first 42 years of my life in the eastern part of the United States and never had an appreciation for the “Old West” until I moved to Los Angeles.  Sure, I enjoyed watching western TV shows when I was a kid.  But those were Hollywood fantasy, not the real thing.

Now that I’ve lived in Los Angeles for over 16 years, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of and appreciation for the Western ethos, its harsh realities, its poetry and its magic.  A couple years ago, I spent a few days horseback riding in the Nevada Mountains tracking Mustangs (SEE Mustangs in the Wild).  This trip gave me a small taste of what it must have been like to be a cowboy.  The lifestyle gets into your blood in a good way and never leaves you.

If you live in the Los Angeles area or are spending a few days here on vacation, discover one of the city’s hidden treasures.  The Autry National Center of the American West (aka the Gene Autry Museum) pays tribute to the history, art and culture of America’s old west.  Through its wide range of exhibits and public programs, you’ll gain some insight into the life of cowboys, gunslingers, gamblers, ranchers and pioneer families during this formative period of our nation’s history.

The museum is located in Griffith Park (near the Los Angeles Zoo) at 4700 Western Heritage Way.  Admission for adults is $10, students w/ID and seniors (60+) $6, and children (3–12) $4.  Autry members, active military personnel and veterans, peace officers, and children under 3 are admitted for free.  The museum and its restrooms are wheelchair accessible.

Museum and Store Hours:

Tuesday–Friday: 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Saturday–Sunday: 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Closed Mondays except Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Presidents’ Day, when admission is free.

Check their website at www.theautry.org for additional information.

25 Things to Do in Los Angeles for $25 or Less – Number 1

25 Things to Do in Los Angeles for $25 or Less – Number 2

25 Things to Do in Los Angeles for $25 or Less – Number 3

25 Things to Do in Los Angeles for $25 or Less – Number 4

25 Things to Do in Los Angeles for $25 or Less – Number 5

25 Things to Do in Los Angeles for $25 or Less – Number 6

25 Things to Do in Los Angeles for $25 or Less – Number 7

25 Things to Do in Los Angeles for $25 or Less – Number 8

25 Things to Do in Los Angeles for $25 or Less – Number 9

25 Things to Do in Los Angeles for $25 or Less – Number 10

25 Things to Do in Los Angeles for $25 or Less – Number 11

25 Things to Do in Los Angeles for $25 or Less – Number 12

25 Things to Do in Los Angeles for $25 or Less – Number 13

25 Things to Do in Los Angeles for $25 or Less – Number 14

25 Things to Do in Los Angeles for $25 or Less – Number 15

25 Things to Do in Los Angeles for $25 or Less – Number 16

25 Things to Do in Los Angeles for $25 or Less – Number 17

25 Things to Do in Los Angeles for $25 or Less – Number 18

25 Things to Do in Los Angeles for $25 or Less – Number 19

25 Things to Do in Los Angeles for $25 or Less – Number 20

25 Things to Do in Los Angeles for $25 or Less – Number 21

25 Things to Do in Los Angeles for $25 or Less – Number 22

25 Things to Do in Los Angeles for $25 or Less – Number 23

25 Things to Do in Los Angeles for $25 or Less – Number 24

25 Things to Do in Los Angeles for $25 or Less – Number 25