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California: Los Angeles, Going to The Autry. Where the West begins, it offers visitors, pure fun mixed with nostalgia,  we found ourselves thinking, "This place is a real vacation secret worth sharing". There were no crowds. Instead, an ample and comfortable number of weekend museum goers meandered through the exhibits; no pressure to move on; no obstructed views. It provides a vacation field trip without stress.

The museum, opened in 1988, was built with a gift from the Autry Foundation. We expected displays only about cowboys, western movies and the legendary singing cowboy Gene Autry himself. While all those things are appropriately included, the Autry is much, much more. The exhibits are grouped into areas they call galleries that depict a surprising amount of information about the explorations, culture, history, art and legends of the American West. The art is engaging and the exhibits are visually appealing, making it enjoyable even if you can't read all the interpretation signs because the kids are ready to move on.

We diverted from seeing the galleries in any particular order as suggested on the map we received at the entrance, and headed first for the "Los Angeles Times Children's Discovery" Gallery where our sons immediately took advantage of the photo opportunity presented by the life-size climb-on horse. The area is set up for kids to experience something of what it was like to be a Mexican American ranching family before the days of modern conviences. Up a small set of stairs is an attic with all kinds of "treasures" and an old trunk with toys. Kids can look through old family photo albums or have a pretend tea party. Our nine-year-old enjoyed playing with a wooden top and the set of maracas.

In the old-fashioned kitchen many kids played house, "cooking" food in the oven, washing up, and talking on the hand cranked wall phone.

"How does this work? How do you dial the number?" my cell-phone-era son asked. Although phones have changed, the kids felt right at home sitting at the kitchen table playing familiar games. The boys and I spent quite a while on the "porch" playing checkers with worn wooden pieces and I even found myself imagining what it might have been like to pass the evening after chores were done before TV's were around.

Another of our boys' favorite activities at the museum was in the "Spirit of Imagination Gallery" where you'll find the Gene Autry Collection and movie, radio and TV memorabilia. In one area, kids can star in a movie segment. They mount a saddle in front of a blue screen and watch themselves on a video monitor as they are superimposed in an old western chase scene with horse-riding pursuers following closely behind. Kid's Note: This is very cool. The chase music and sound effects inspired a variety of acting skills and a lot of giggling in our sons during the movie short, and they did this over and over, trying it different ways and sometimes entering each other's scenes. They loved it, and one of them was even moved to write his positive feelings about the experience in a comment book, several of which are located throughout the museum.

This gallery also has a display of what a boy's bedroom might have looked like in the early 1960s, decorated with TV and movie memorabilia which baby boomers might recognize and remember with nostalgia.

In addition to the permanent galleries, the museum also features changing exhibitions. We saw the result of a collaboration between the Autry and two local fifth grade classes as they learned about the cultural diversity of the West and how their own family histories fit in. We picked up several multicultural recipes the students had included in the display and read about some of their family stories and how they are now are part of the American West.

We also walked through the Woodie Guthrie exhibit and a photographic display depicting California deserts today and in the past. If this sounds like a lot, it is. But it was worth the time and effort. It was one of those unexpected bonuses often found on or near your back door but in this case it was grandma's back door. The Autry Museum was cooler than we expected and there was something there for all of us to enjoy.

Family Notes: To get the most out of your visit call ahead or check the museum's very informative web site for current special exhibitions and also to find out about lectures, children's workshops, musical presentations and films that occur frequently.

When hunger strikes, walk across the central courtyard to the Golden Spur Cafe for breakfast if you're there in the morning or lunch or snacks later. The reasonably priced cafeteria-style eatery, decorated in colors of the southwest, exudes a restful atmosphere, unlike the hectic food service in some museums.

Griffith Park, The Autry's location, provides a variety of other family options. Most notable is The Los Angeles Zoo. Because it was late afternoon when we left the museum, we opted instead for a quick look around Travel Town where kids are encouraged to climb on and in railroad cars and engines and see the other displays of transportation artifacts and equipment. Due to the hour, we just missed the last miniature train ride of the day around the perimeter of Travel Town.

Just before leaving the park, we took a drive up the hill to the Griffith Observatory, the site some kids will recognize as where the movie "The Rocketeer" was filmed. The museum and the park make a fun day for visitors and we only wished we had started ours a little earlier.

The Autry Museum of Western Heritage. In Griffith Park in the city of Los Angeles at the junction of the Golden State and Ventura Freeways. Call ahead about special exhibits, (323) 667-2000, or www.autry-museum.org.

Kid's Notes: If you go to the cafe for lunch have the chicken nuggets. They were really good. If you go to Travel Town after the museum try to get there in time for the train ride.

Author's Notes: Parking at the Autry is plentiful, free and close to the entrance. Inside the two-level building are elevators, and seating for those in need of an occasional rest. All these features were much appreciated by my mother-in-law. The museum is cool in more ways than one - the climate-controlled temperature inside the building felt chilly after a while and it's a good idea to bring a sweater even on hot days. The gift shop is chock full of quality items like art, books, music and posters, but beware of the narrow aisles. The cafe has indoor and outdoor seating. The kid's menu is appropriate. Prices are reasonable, especially for museum food.

 

Content provided to FamilyTravelFiles.com by Gail Gourley. Copyright 2011.
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