Autry Museum of the American West

If you want an art museum this is not the best place, but if you want a museum that describes the American West and has artifacts from the American West, this is the museum for you! There's plenty of informative videos, some better...some...not as good...but there's also plenty of fun activities that are great for children. These include activities which have you write a short story about a combination of Western words, a green screen that puts you in wacky eras, and a saddle which kids can climb up on (though I almost fell off). The museum has artifacts which include Theodore Roosevelt's hat, but the museum tends to be more catered to sparking the interest and curiosity of children. Still a great museum that anyone can enjoy!

The Autry Museum of the American West provides an incredible journey through the history and culture of the American West. Most importantly, it is wonderfully planned and informative about its subject matter, rich in content, representative of indigenous cultures, and the various dimensions that are reflected within the diverse history found in this region. It has great space and beautiful, clean, well-organized exhibits for a more detailed exposure to all exhibits. Free parking and great exhibits make this a fantastic place to learn more about the West. Although it's probably better suited for older children and adults, all ages can get something enriching from a visit here. Allow a couple of hours if you're going to appreciate being here.

So interesting and nice! The ticket price 18 $. You will see here the history of native Americans and the westerns. So many costumes and original staffs. Even cars and carts we can see here.

I came here for the KCRW free summer night event, and I was really impressed with the museum and the grounds. Griffith Park complex has so much to offer and the Autry is one of its gems.

This is an excellent museum worthy of multiple visits. The displays are up to date and consistent with current thought on inclusivity, etc. The “Camino” exhibit was a much needed and sobering expose of a sensitive yet necessary story. The “Camino” show proves that historical accuracy does not mean that any group “loses;” in fact, we all win. The permanent collection of art is diverse and powerful, featuring many types and styles of art. There is a lovely and contemplative garden space with water features, and on the second floor, there is a relaxing patio with a view of the garden. A fantastic museum, not to be missed in Southern California.

Went for KCRW's Summer Nights, it was great! The museum was a lot more interesting than I remembered--especially the lower floor exhibits.

Good history lesson. Great art work very informative. Free parking, My favorite part was the lower level. Not sure if small children would enjoy it but middle school and up.

What a gem of a museum. Totally underrated. You do not need to care about Gene Autry to appreciate this museum, which has a strong focus on indigenous cultures of the American West as well as discussion of Euro American history. Our tour guide Karl was very sincere.

If you want an art museum this is not the best place, but if you want a museum that describes the American West and has artifacts from the American West, this is the museum for you! There's plenty of informative videos, some better...some...not as good...but there's also plenty of fun activities that are great for children. These include activities which have you write a short story about a combination of Western words, a green screen that puts you in wacky eras, and a saddle which kids can climb up on (though I almost fell off). The museum has artifacts which include Theodore Roosevelt's hat, but the museum tends to be more catered to sparking the interest and curiosity of children. Still a great museum that anyone can enjoy!

The Autry Museum of the American West provides an incredible journey through the history and culture of the American West. Most importantly, it is wonderfully planned and informative about its subject matter, rich in content, representative of indigenous cultures, and the various dimensions that are reflected within the diverse history found in this region. It has great space and beautiful, clean, well-organized exhibits for a more detailed exposure to all exhibits. Free parking and great exhibits make this a fantastic place to learn more about the West. Although it's probably better suited for older children and adults, all ages can get something enriching from a visit here. Allow a couple of hours if you're going to appreciate being here.

So interesting and nice! The ticket price 18 $. You will see here the history of native Americans and the westerns. So many costumes and original staffs. Even cars and carts we can see here.

I came here for the KCRW free summer night event, and I was really impressed with the museum and the grounds. Griffith Park complex has so much to offer and the Autry is one of its gems.

This is an excellent museum worthy of multiple visits. The displays are up to date and consistent with current thought on inclusivity, etc. The “Camino” exhibit was a much needed and sobering expose of a sensitive yet necessary story. The “Camino” show proves that historical accuracy does not mean that any group “loses;” in fact, we all win. The permanent collection of art is diverse and powerful, featuring many types and styles of art. There is a lovely and contemplative garden space with water features, and on the second floor, there is a relaxing patio with a view of the garden. A fantastic museum, not to be missed in Southern California.

Went for KCRW's Summer Nights, it was great! The museum was a lot more interesting than I remembered--especially the lower floor exhibits.

Good history lesson. Great art work very informative. Free parking, My favorite part was the lower level. Not sure if small children would enjoy it but middle school and up.

What a gem of a museum. Totally underrated. You do not need to care about Gene Autry to appreciate this museum, which has a strong focus on indigenous cultures of the American West as well as discussion of Euro American history. Our tour guide Karl was very sincere.

After enjoying the zoo from 10 to 1 it was time to head on over to Autry Museum 1 pm to 4 pm Tuesday-Wednesday: 1-4 complimentary Registration is required and ends at 11:59 p.m. the day before. I did things a little backwards I went in the gift shop before enjoying the museum. However I was not disappointed at all. I was highly interested in seeing several of the exhibits.

My dear Yelpie friend invited me to join her at Autry Museum of the American West. You know who you are. Thank you so much my friend for inviting me to this lovely museum. We both have been here together before for a street food event, but it was outside the museum. This was my first time visiting the inside of this museum. It's very clean and well maintained. The temperature was perfect... not too cold or hot. The exhibits were intriguing and full of adventure. I love the pink room with the spinning wheels. There was a station where you sit down and watch a video and when the horses show up, make sure you smile because it will take a photo of whomever is sitting on the bench chair. A photo will be printed for you to take home as a souvenir. How cool is that! We did a few takes LOL. We got a chance to experience some dancing and animation. We also watched a clip on better health through natural fruits and vegetables... very informative! We strolled through most of the exhibits. Definitely it is worthy for another visit. My friend gave me a complimentary ticket. Thank you again my friend! You guessed right, she has an annual pass. I'll be bringing my eldest daughter with me next time. Maybe we three can come here together. See you again soon Autry!

This is a pretty cool museum with lots to see and none of the crowds since no one ever really talks much about it. If you have a Bank of America card, you can actually get admitted for free on the first weekend of the month. There's a ton of exhibits here with something for everyone, from modern art to plenty of Western history and more on native American culture. Also the museum store is pretty neat with Western/cowboy-related clothes that are unique and not overly priced. Free and easy parking too!

Went to hear the Native Voices indigenous poets event last night. In celebration of California Indian Day. The After Dark programming series is really cool. I enjoyed it. Also checked out the indigenous Art exhibit going on right now (Sept 7 thru June 2026). Very cool. The theme is Future Imaginaries: Indigenous Art, Fashion, Technology. I went on a Thursday evening so plenty of parking (free), not crowded. Lovely views of the Los Angeles skyline at night there. Close to Griffith Park and the zoo.

Gene Autry, the famed Texan Country singer whose at least 1 of the famed songs was, 'Back in the Saddle Again,' as one hit got his own museum stationed in Los Angeles, CA. When we arrived, it was close to museum closing hours, so we didn't get to browse much but decided to shop at the store more. Their public restroom was kept extremely clean. Wow. Learned that he lived over 90years & was originally from Texas, died actually in Studio City, Los Angeles, CA., from touring this museum. This has been an absolute wonder to visit as local tourist. We went shopping in the Museum store prior to the Cinema Event where it was playing 'Golden Girls.' Parking was on site and free, easy to locate. This museum wasn't far from Griffith Park, or the LA Zoo, Los Angeles, CA. either. I will be back again soon. I have got to find the souvenirs I bought from here. Not sure where they went....hmmmm. I fact-checked my review in helping out the museum from another fake review. W however wrote that this museum isn't about Gene Autry and gave them a 1-star review was wrong. Pls refer to my Google search results.

I've never been here 24 years of LA till today. It was pretty great. Lotta great exhibits. My six year old was extremely bored but maybe that was my fault? I tried to entertain him and be fun and give him info... but it didn't work. The family area is only open Fri-Sun. There's a good mixture of classic cowboy, American Indian information, and all kinds of art. I personally enjoyed the abstract drone footage over Colorado, the infrared camera, and the gun section. I'm going to go home and play red dead redemption... but I also will be back here for more! Thank You

Two of us went on the Bank of America free first weekend of every month for BOA clients and free everyday for retired and active military. What a great informative experience on America's push into the west and treatment of Indigenous Natives. Not just for middle schoolers! Lots of interesting short films, great displays. We spent nearly 3 hours! Also a great store. Free parking. Take in this wonderful museum!

Lots of History from Film and Gene before he owned the Angels. Great place to see for the little ones to learn Calif history and of Gene.

I visited the Autry Museum of the West in Los Angeles and had a wonderful experience. The exhibits did a great job of showcasing the history and culture of the American West, from the perspectives of different groups who shaped the region. The museum also has beautiful grounds that are worth checking out if the weather is nice!

I came here with my boyfriend for a Bucket Listers Street Food Cinema event to watch (500) Days Of Summer. All I have to say is, I am completely in love with the experience. We got here around 7PM but the event said 6-10PM. We were still able to get good spots on the grass and the weather was just right, it's summer time so it starts to cool off around 7PM. They had drinks and food trucks but you can bring your own food or drinks. This was our first experience together doing an outdoor cinema and we brought blankets, pillow, snacks but we are planning for future experiences to better prepare. It is a great opportunity to have a wonderful picnic with bf or friends before watching a movie, definitely something I would recommend for any movie lover or if you simply enjoy the outdoors. It does start to get humid and moist as it gets darker, our blanket was thin and we started to feel it. I would recommend low chairs or a thick blanket to prevent this, definitely bring some big pillows and lots of goodies and food to share. Oh also, there will be bugs and mosquitos flying around so dress appropriately. Wonderful experience, will be doing this throughout the year.

I came to the Autry on a Saturday around 2 pm. It was not busy at all and there was ample parking still in the lot. My family did enjoy learning about the history of the west. I liked how they had interactive exhibits for adults and children and even an entire section dedicated for kids to to play. It was also an incredibly hot day so I was happy to see the AC was working overtime (in a good way) lol. It was the perfect escape from the heat. I would say my only con is that there was 2 exhibits that were closed to make room for new exhibits. So all in all it did shorten the museum experience. None the less I would come back here should there be new exhibits.

The Autry is one of my favorite places to go in Los Angeles. It's a perfect size so that you can see everything in one visit, with a beautiful courtyard in the front and a garden in the back. They have TONS of events throughout the year and an amazing playspace open on weekends for kids (with a wide variety of toys and books and pretend-play structures). The staff is incredibly kind and welcoming (shout-out to Thea, Reuben, and Ryan, to name a few), the facilities are clean, and the exhibits are thought-provoking, interactive, and inclusive. Memberships are inexpensive and pay for themselves with just a few visits. I highly recommend becoming a member (or at least a visit or two), especially if you've got little kids.

A beautiful museum highlighting our heritage, with an emphasis on the indigenous peoples history often glosses over. It's a balance of somber history and lighthearted western movie exhibits. There's even a gun exhibit so there's something for everyone. Far as museums go, this one is on the smaller side but not at all lacking in substance. A fun little half-day drip, especially if you want your kids to learn while they have fun.

I'm sure the museum is nice and educational. And the history of this museum is legendary. I stopped with my canine child Betty to get a few photos outside in front across from zoo. I felt the ground and it was really hot, so we headed to put Betty in the shade of the entrance and get a photo there (I have a leash that extends longer or attach lease with carabiner to door or something to get full view of sign out front of building. Security guard sitting at other end just yelled "No Dogs allowed", he was very rude. First we're not attempting to go inside museum, they do have a courtyard though that Dogs have been allowed before. ( I always ask). This guy was very rude. I only wanted to take a photo at entrance. So kids running around screaming and dropping cheerios all over are okay. But my canine child who sits quietly at my feet isn't even allowed the SHADE at the entrance to cool off. Sad the history here is amazing but not coming back to get yelled at again by some rude lazy security just for trying to cool off for a minute 1 foot into the entrance.

I went to the Autry Museum yesterday. I went to see the Dress Codes exhibit specifically. I enjoyed seeing the clothing items on display in the exhibit and learning about clothing items cultural and historic significance. I liked the mix of media in the exhibit. On my visit yeterday, I also checked out some Western themed exhibits. I also made sure to check out the "Spirits of the West" mural on the bottom floor. I really enjoyed seeing some of the antique weapons on display in one of the exhibits. Before leaving the museum, I visited the gift shop. I saw some nice home decorative items for sale.

Museums big or small, I just love it. The Autry Museum of the American West (then the Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum) opened its doors to the public in 1988 with the goal to collect, preserve, and interpret materials related to the history of the American West. It's located in the heart of Griffith Park just across L.A. Zoo! Here at Autry Museum you will discover the art, history, and cultures of the American West! The Autry features world-class galleries filled with Native American art and cultural materials, film memorabilia, historic firearms, paintings, interactive areas, and more. I came here early Sunday morning to avoid the crowd. Admission ticket prices start from $O to $14 bucks. This museum showed good exhibits and surprisingly not crowded today. I learned a lot today regarding WWWest and Native Americans of the West. Floor plan: Two story level. Gallery exhibit: A LOT! Time: Spent 2 hours. Parking: Fr33. Plenty of space. Staff: Professional Overall, I enjoyed visiting this museum and I recommend it.

I went for the first time a few weeks ago and there was an Indigenous peoples event with lots of amazing Jewellery.

A Radiant Revival: Autry Museum Shines Anew! The Autry Museum has made a triumphant return with a fresh lease on life, and my recent visit left me absolutely thrilled. The cafeteria, once dormant, has awakened with a burst of culinary delights and an array of beverages that cater to all tastes. But that's just the beginning of the remarkable transformation that has taken place. From the moment my kids and I stepped through the doors, we were greeted with friendly faces, setting the tone for an extraordinary experience ahead. The museum's embrace of visitors is truly heartwarming, making you feel like a cherished guest in a welcoming home. For families, the kids' play area has undergone an inspiring makeover. The receptionist there was nothing short of delightful, and the plethora of play stations seemed to be an endless source of joy for the little ones. It was hard to tear the kids away from the engaging activities - a testament to the thoughtfulness put into crafting this space. A highlight of the visit was undoubtedly the "Imagined Wests" exhibit. This immersive experience was a captivating blend of rich history, technology and creativity. The green screen, coupled with an assortment of costumes, allowed visitors to step into the past and become a part of the narrative. The activity corner was a hands-on delight, ensuring that learning was as enjoyable as it was informative. The souvenir shop was a treasure trove of mementos, boasting an updated inventory that showcased a deep understanding of what visitors seek. From unique trinkets to items celebrating the museum's collections, there was something for everyone - a fitting extension of the museum's renewed spirit. It's clear that the Autry Museum has experienced a renaissance under its new management team. The passion and devotion to the institution radiate from every exhibit and are reflected in every customer service interaction. It's as if the museum itself has been given a new lease on life, rekindling the love that patrons have for it. I'm genuinely grateful for the revival of the Autry Museum. After this exceptional visit, I'm seriously contemplating investing in a season pass. The prospect of returning regularly to bask in the museum's renewed glory is incredibly enticing. Thank you, Autry Museum, for coming back stronger than ever - you've won our hearts once again!

A lot has changed since the last time I visited Autry Museum. Surprisingly all for the better and a lot more educational with historical background. There are newer exhibits and more colorful interactive though boards where visitors can use post -it's to give their opinions on nature and the arts. The price can't be beat. It's a smaller museum, however if you want to go on a nice, cool air conditioned place , I would highly recommend Autry . There is a nice sense of calmness. All in all it was a great relaxing time well spent .

If you think the Autry is about Gene Autry, think again. It is an American Indian museum on all of the Main floor and more than half of the second floor. The American West exhibit is tucked way in the back of the lower floor, almost like an After thought. Even the gift shop was 100% American Indian oriented. I thought that the American Indian exhibit descriptions were more of an Anti-white tone than informative with bitter undertones. In my mind, I feel that the description of this Museum was a total "Bait and Switch". Very disappointing.

Most of the museum was very well done. However, the exhibit on the Spanish missionaries vs. the Native Americans in California left a lot to be desired. The exhibit criticized previous descriptions of this period in history as being biased propaganda (i.e., whitewashing the Spaniards' treatment of the Native Americans). Then, the exhibit proceeded to present endless biased propaganda in the opposite direction. That is not an improvement. I would have thought that the Autrey Museum would have been better than this. For example, the exhibit does its level best to show that the Spanish committed genocide against the Native Americans. To support this view, it states that 100,000 Native Americans died in California during this period (about a third of the Native American population). It also states that some natives in the missions were kept in unsanitary conditions. As I recall, each of the 20 or so missions typically had a garrison of 30-40 Spanish soldiers. Did this small number of soldiers shoot 100,000 Indians? No, of course not. What did happen? The soldiers coughed... They carried with them any of the dozens of horrible diseases that had ravaged Europe for thousands of years (e.g., small pox, diphtheria, typhoid, etc.). Many Europeans died, and those who survived had some immunity. Did the Native Americans have any immunity to these diseases? No. None. For example, there was one epidemic in Massachusetts in the early 1600s that killed 10% of the European settlers. That's terrible. However, that same epidemic killed 90% of the Native Americans there. Is that genocide? No, of course not. A plague is a tragedy, but it's not the intentional extermination of a people. Yet, apparently the Autry Museum is unaware of this. Similarly, the exhibit states that the Spaniards made slaves of the Native Americans. So, let me get this straight... A handful of missions, with a few dozen soldiers stationed at each, are going to enslave the Native American population of California (300,000 people)? Nonsense. Yes, the Spanish were light years ahead of the Native Americans in technology. The Spanish had ships, they had iron weapons and tools, and they had all manner of industrial ability, while the Native Americans, with their stone tools, didn't have the wheel or written language. But, the small companies of Spanish soldiers were armed with single-shot flintlock muskets. So, that company of 30 soldiers, after 30 shots, is highly vulnerable. The hundreds of thousands of Native Americans could easily overwhelm them, even with just arrows and clubs. Just ask Gen. Custer... So, the idea of a handful of Spaniards imposing their will on the Native Americans by force alone strains credulity. Yes, the Native Americans worked at the missions. But, there must have been something in it for them, or they wouldn't have done so. With ten cents worth of organization, they could have easily annihilated the Spaniards. Or, simply walked away... Were the Native Americans really that incompetent, disorganized or complacent? I highly doubt it. Living the mission life must have been an improvement over what they had before, or they would not have done it. However, no such open-minded examination of history is in this exhibit. It is strictly a propaganda piece. Its one-sided agenda is all about evil Spanish colonizers, slavery and genocide. Just because the sin of propaganda has existed in the past does not justify a museum repeating this sin.

Wonderful museum with great collections. I'm not a fan of the rinse-and-repeat audio programs that are playing without anyone pressing a button if interested as they interfere with my concentration and "taking in" what is nearby. But that's just me.

I wasn't sure what to expect and I was thoroughly impressed. The eclectic mix was refreshing. It presents an honest perspective of the West experience from all sides. I highly recommend. The staff is super friendly as well.

I love this museum that is perfect for families as well. The ambience is calming, inviting and educational. The exhibits are always enlightening. There is an onsite cafe and patio dining plus a small native garden with water feature on the lower floor outside in a secluded section of the museum which is a perfect spot to enjoy nature in a peaceful setting.

Very informative museum, appropriate for both adults and children. It was a very nice way to get to know the culture of the land. There are enough visual stimuli to keep adults entertained and I've seen kids also very interested at the exhibits due to a lot of the interactive natures of the gallery pieces. I was very happy to have been able to go to this museum with my partner and make the most out of our free visit here (free every 2nd Tuesday of the month!). I loved the Bank of America exhibit that highlighted the Native Americans and also stressed the importance of how water dispersion to rivers can make a difference. But all in all, it is a good museum to really go into to learn very valuable information and can take a lot of time going through everything and diving deep into the exhibits. I also really feel like it represented the land very well and really like how much the museum seems to value public opinion with several polls occurring around the building. For example, they are taking in ideas and opinions on their currently work-in-progress Griffith Park exhibit! Can't wait to see this museum grow even more.

This is such a great museum for any age. They have many amazing community events: outdoor movies, odd nights market, salsa lessons on Thursdays in the summer, musical performances, etc. Everyone that works there is so nice and helpful. We can easily spend 4+ hours here. I love the newer exhibits they just opened. It's just a great place to spend the day, learn about some history and have a fun day.

I hadn't been to the Autry in years and was excited to return. It did not go well. There was a gallery with art for sale. I love western art, so I was looking forward to seeing what was available. At the entrance to the sale area was a large painting of a coyote impaled on a fence post. I know this kind of thing happens, but as art? No thank you. I skipped the sale area. The movie memorabilia - my favorite area - was gone. Sigh. A gallery with a few beautiful beaded/sequined dresses seemed overly large for what little was being displayed. Sculptures made from ocean trash in the native tribes area? I don't get this appropriation of native culture with made-from-trash "art" pieces. The outside garden area was closed. Why? I left the museum in under and hour. Back in the day, I could easily have spent half a day there.

Every time I go to the LA Zoo I always notice the museum across the street. But it never was curious of going. Since the train museum was closed I decided to take my kids just to do something different. I was very happy I did. Just getting to experience the culture and the life California has brought in the last few decades was very exciting to me. From movies, music, clothing and culture people don't realize how much history California has plus griffith park. My kids love the kids area and they even told me they what to go back. I told them I agree.

Located literally across from the LA Zoo. 2 floors. Took an hour to 1.5 hrs to go through the entire museum... great history covering the native Americans and their diverse histories, contributions, lands, arts, and cultures. Great history covering the origins of cowboys in the western frontier, their trades, style and cultures, diversity, and weaponry. Learned little gems here and there like how the original cowboys were the Vaqueros (multiracial people comprised of Spanish, Mexican, and Native heritage); how discrimination & racism in the workforce forced many men of Chinese descent to go into the laundry business- a skill/trade they learned from American women; the various tiers of cow trade from cowboy (trainee) to herder to wrangler to cowman; and more! All in all, I wouldn't recommend going out of your way to come here but if you're already in the park or area and looking to kill some time or to get refuge from the blaring heat or just genuinely enjoy museums then sure stop on by...

I Loved this Place! the China Problano exhibit was lovely! As were the regular exhibits. Very informative, Easy to go thru, there were some corner exhibits that were too dark to see well but maybe that's just because I'm older! I love the Gene Autry exhibit with all the personal articles! Clothing and Saddles! so memorable! Sitting outside in the plaza and visiting with friends was so pleasant and late lunch in the cafe was wonderfully refreshing! I will definitely be coming back!!!

I have to agree with the other recent low star reviews. I don't know if I could be more pro Native American (in all the ways).. the trouble is, this museum is called the Gene Autry museum. I brought my parents here, one of which was very into westerns and both of which are very into Gene Autry. Maybe just switch the bottom floor with the top floor? When we first started walking around (so the top floor), there was a video on the wall talking about how Native Americans are taking back their story. I was thinking this was a great opportunity to slide in some awareness to a genre most people have not given much thought to. But as we continued it was mostly Native American art/education/statues/info on colonization/etc. There was little focus on westerns that were in a positive or even neutral light and literally one smallish box with Gene Autry paraphernalia in it. In this top/first floor was one film exhibit in particular that seemed to be giving context to western films but I quickly realized it was an education piece about what had been done to Native American stories. Again, I am not opposed to spreading awareness. We should know what happened and what is happening to drown out important voices. As we walked past this exhibit just now I caught this line: I think she said "Remember.." then, "Not everyone can be Indian... but ANYONE can be a cowboy". So if you have someone who has fond memories of their childhood, watching cowboy movies and feeling nostalgic, I wouldn't bring them here or maybe I would but I would bring them straight downstairs where there are a couple of carriages, displays of western rifles and things of the like. Basically, downstairs is what you would probably imagine to be the classic western centric exhibits, and upstairs are the Native American education exhibits. And on the flip side if you have people who want to learn about the various ways Native American voices have been drowned out, learn about western Native Americans in general and you would like to see some beautiful Native American art, this is the place.

Hadn't been to the (Gene) Autry Museum in almost 24 years since my son, now 30, was going thru his cowboy phase. I came here when a friend invited me to see a Native American performance performed by Native Americans - well done! I had seen this group perform at the Kirk Douglas Theatre last year. Wonderful exhibits of the Wild West, cowboys, Native American tribes in California, baskets, artwork, natural habitat and animals at Griffith Park, salmon endangered by overfishing and overeating, China Poblana clothing, a covered wagon, etc. There were also areas for children to play in. Outside the Trail Grill Cafe, we ate Neopolitan pizza, Cobb salad with chicken ($4 extra) and quesadilla special that came with one complimentary drink. Food was good! Bill was $60 which I thought was expensive, but everything is expensive nowadays. My friend tipped the jar. On this Saturday, it wasn't crowded. Free parking on the lot. There's an entrance fee. Nice museum to visit of the wild west, but I'd advise going on a free museum day if you're able to.

I have some here several times over the years as a teacher. This museum is perfect for grades 3-5 who are learning about this in Social Studies. Great examples of our CA history and awesome way to learn about Native American life. Kids need to know the real history and this place does an awesome job ! Beautiful art work and awesome experiences!

This place is absolutely gorgeous! I loved it so much, I recommend visiting the museum if you get the chance! P.S. they have a waterfall!!

FREE every second Tuesday of each month. Closed Mondays. Large parking lot (free). Super awesome museum, especially if you're a fan of Western history and culture. I spent several hours here. There was a section dedicated to early settlers (divided by ethnicity). A section for movies and film. An interactive section for children. A beautiful hall with a mural that included various Western characters. A section on cowboy history and daily life. A gallery of Western-inspired paintings and sculpture. A beautiful collection of guns and rifles (I'm not a gun fanatic but I mean it, they had ornate revolvers that were pure art). The gift shop was also well-stocked with really interesting and unique items. It was a bit pricy though but to be fair, a lot of the items were artisanal crafts (such as jewelry). I saw a gorgeous Western shirt but I just couldn't justify the price tag. There is a spacious cafe with an expansive menu. Vegan options available (yummy veggie burger). I highly recommend this museum.

I'm a big history fan, especially of California history and the American West. I thought that their Imagined Wests exhibit was so incredibly cool! I loved how interactive and colorful the exhibit was while also incorporating how the American West has been portrayed in culture through the years via movies, music, books, fashion, rodeos, etc. I appreciate how they worked to incorporate and focus on Native and Mexican voices in regards to how the American West developed. Native Americans ARE the west and the Autry Museum did a respectable job showcasing that.

Very informative museum, appropriate for both adults and children. It was a very nice way to get to know the culture of the land. There are enough visual stimuli to keep adults entertained and I've seen kids also very interested at the exhibits due to a lot of the interactive natures of the gallery pieces. I was very happy to have been able to go to this museum with my partner and make the most out of our free visit here (free every 2nd Tuesday of the month!). I loved the Bank of America exhibit that highlighted the Native Americans and also stressed the importance of how water dispersion to rivers can make a difference. But all in all, it is a good museum to really go into to learn very valuable information and can take a lot of time going through everything and diving deep into the exhibits. I also really feel like it represented the land very well and really like how much the museum seems to value public opinion with several polls occurring around the building. For example, they are taking in ideas and opinions on their currently work-in-progress Griffith Park exhibit! Can't wait to see this museum grow even more.

As a fan of the history of the American west and a lover of old western films, I don't know why it took me so many years to visit this museum. Having just read a fantastic book - Dreams of El Dorado by H.W. Brands - I was compelled to make the trip. I feel The Autry does a fair job of showing both the positive and negative of westward expansion in the 19th century as well as showing the portrayal of cowboys in film and television in the 20th century. Located across the street from the L.A. Zoo, parking is free and admission is reasonably priced (discounts for AAA members and various free days are available - check their website). On our visit we enjoyed a large exhibit of the works of various western painters and sculptors. This was a temporary exhibit in a space that rotates every few months. A comprehensive display of various costumes and props from western-themed films and television shows was impressive. I also enjoyed the projection of clips from motion pictures starring Gene Autry singing western songs. Many items are displayed from gold rush days, settlers' homes, and cowboy life. The plight of the Indians is not ignored. A large educational section of the museum is devoted to Native American culture (past and present). You'll also see everything from stagecoaches and covered wagons to pioneer women's clothing and an enormous collection of Winchesters & Colts. A vast representation of items that give the visitor a better idea of life west of the Mississippi in the mid to late 1800s is presented. There is much more but I've already gone on too long. We spent nearly 4 hours here. Although there are sections devoted to children I do think this museum is best enjoyed by older kids and adults especially if there is any interest in learning the real history of western expansion in America. Despite the frustrating, lengthy crawl of "freeway" traffic it is worth the drive.

I haven't been to the Autry Museum since before Covid. I popped in to the gift shop last weekend, a much-loved and previously great place with excellent things to buy. The "new" store that I walked into was really strange and off-putting. The left side of the shop dealt looked mostly the same, featuring books and scholarship regarding Western film and TV in early Hollywood, and actual Western history books and materials. Moving around the horn to the children's section was a total surprise. Inappropriate and politically-charged materials and books (for kids??) featuring political activists and Ruth Bader Ginsburg cloth dolls were everywhere. This was the children's section. Maybe 20% of it had to do with what you would expect from a Western Heritage museum. Here's the kicker: The left side of the shop had an entire section of coffee table books on display dedicated to men in drag, and more on drag show culture. What does this have to do with the history of the American West? It struck a really bizarre tone, it was like I had entered the Twilight Zone. I shuffled my child out of there, I'm not ready to explain men in drag to him just because we visited a Western museum. It's really sad to see the aggressive politicization of what used to be a truly lovely place.

Anybody who is fan of the American West, at least how Hollywood portrayed it, will absolutely love this super fun museum! It has lots of open space and very well-present Western memorabilia from the golden days of television (remember Bonanza?) and motion pictures. I came here on Free Museum day (a monthly event in Los Angeles) along with a hoard of others! It was crowded, but not so crowded as to feel rushed. We got there in the morning and devoted a couple of hours to strolling the exhibits. So much material - I could spend hours here. One cool little exhibit that really caught my eye was the Gene Autry Super Fan. Seems Gene had a legitimate super fan in the day who wrote to him in eloquent prose, created works of art for Mr. Autry, and even send him an autographed photograph of HER! Now that's a switch! Visit the Autry Museum of the Americal West! You won't regret it!

It's one of my favorite museums. I like it's a little quieter and it deals more with the Old West. The only complaint I have is during the Pandemic the closed off my favorite exhibit and never brought it back. I like the area where they show the old western movies and tv stars. I haven't been back in a while so I don't know if they brought it back but I really enjoyed that section.

Yelp 100 Challenge 2019 - # 75/100 Scored tickets when they had the Free Museum Day event. Traffic was crazy by the time we got there we only had less than two hours before closing. It was a busy day but we were able to chance upon someone who was leaving and tailed her to her car (lol). Learned so much reading about the artists and their artwork. Despite the heavy foot traffic the workers kept the restrooms clean and well stocked.

Enjoyed the Autry on their free admission day for the Griffith Park 125 year anniversary. My favs are the history floor downstairs and the outdoor garden. It was a terribly hot day and when we stepped out into the garden the temperature dropped 15 degrees. The sound of the waterfall, the cool air, the inviting space egg benches made for the most relaxing atmosphere. My oldest son is engrossed in Harry Potter right now and he just curled up to read out there for 45 minutes. The history floor is fascinating and a great look into the life of a cowboy and the old West. I enjoyed listening in on a talk being given upstairs on the history of Griffith Park. The restaurant is closed no thanks to Covid so come prepared to step away to eat. Gift shop has a ton of fun stuff.

I don't think this was the museum for me. It was actually kind of boring. It's not the best place to bring a toddler. There is some cool artwork but there really is not a lot to see or do. I did really like the outdoor area.

Beautiful museum with a stunning mural that pays homage to all kinds of Western figures. I was surprised that the actual display to Gene Autry was so modest. Loved the display of silent movie posters.

Perhaps more than a few people will hit this spot thinking it's going to feature typical representations of the European-emigrants westward migration, cowboys, and other tropes around the "conquest" of territory by rugged white pioneers. "White manifest destiny" has not been critically examined as a lens through which Americans viewed their presence on this land. So modern day Americans, conveniently unwilling to question the past critically, follow these same tropes about their purportedly glorious past. While certainly offering hackneyed 19th century American perspectives, the exhibits also shows other stories: of thousands of years of nature and indigenous peoples' culture coexisting in the California territory. It seems the easiest way to assuage white guilt is to ignore the stain of genocide and blithely celebrate the cultural strands of those who were lucky to have survived the white man's deadly pogroms. In its thoughtful exhibit called "Humans and Nature" the public can learn more about California's indigenous people, who were shamefully treated by the official "extermination" policies of the US government determined to establish a European-white country. It focuses on indigenous people's relationship with their natural surroundings. To imagine 42 indigenous, ancient languages spoken in California by distinct tribes from distinct ecoregions largely lost to genocide by invading Europeans is shameful. It is a loss of civilization and cultural memory. And because indigenous culture is so rooted in place and its unique ecology, it represents equally, the destruction of nature. Contrast the land's condition when the indigenous thrived here, with the endless urban monotony and blight of LA's concrete expanses today. Land destroyed and its peoples' languages and cultures annihilated. Behind the suffocating gaslighting and erasure of white colonial occupation, the exhibits get to the real stories of this land: of different California eco-regions such as northern alpine forests, deserts, and river/coastal systems and their indigenous stewards. I applaud the museum for that. Further, their art galleries featuring fine art are exceptional and dedicated to indigenous artists exclusively. The art demonstrates the irony and history that is lost and blank to people who cannot see past the "white American" way of viewing the commercialization, the commodification, the chain stores, the loss of unique qualities of place to "americana" as well as the socio-cultural issues of marginalizing native Americans. (The current exhibits are of David Bradley and Harry Fonseca, both stunning.) Outside, a humble California native plant garden hosts a fall event where a group of indigenous people reviving indigenous cultures demonstrate their uses and cuisines featuring the plants. It is balanced by a "gold panning" area that is a nod to the invasion of (white) populations seeking gold after 1850 (that concomitantly led to a genocide of indigenous people from 1850 to 1875 due to greed for their lands, racism, and state-funded, militia-led ethnic cleansing). The museum's annual Native Arts marketplace in November represents a regional southwestern showcase of patronage of artisans, fine art makers, designers, and craftsmen. The outside tent has representation from hundreds of artists. During the summer months they have a Salsa on the Plaza series which showcases amazing salsa bands and dancing. Tacos are sold at these parties where you'll see the Latino pueblo of LA (some, descendants of the families from Mexican-era California)! I've come to a movie presentation in their nicely-appointed theater...on a wing off the central plaza. Their cafe offers local beers (Golden Road), wine, and a decent menu selection. The museum strives to be a tribute to the diversity of cultures in the California west, and is an interesting place to spend time.

Very cool western museum. Directly across the street from the LA Zoo. Very informative in regards to Los Angeles beginnings. Interesting Native American and western artifacts and weaponry. You can easily spend an afternoon with the family.

I've heard of this museum forever and a day, but I was never interested in visiting because I didn't think I would be interested in it. Boy was I shocked and amazed how wrong I was! The Autry Museum is located across the street from the L.A. Zoo and the parking is free. They are closed on Mondays. Free for active-duty military and vets. I was lucky that I made it in time for the free guided tour. No reservation was necessary. Even luckier that my group had less people than the earlier one so I knew I would get a better view, hear the guide better, and ask my questions to my hearts content. Loved the tour because I had a better understanding of the exhibitions. I highly recommend taking the tour before exploring the museum. Take the stairs to the lower level which leads to a garden which had a waterfall. LOVE waterfalls! Very relaxing to sit outside unless of course a bunch of kids are running around exploring and enjoying themselves. LOVED the Autry Store. Plenty of things to look at and they even had a sale cart where I was lucky to buy a t-shirt at a major discount. Unfortunately I didn't have a chance to check out their café. Hopefully on my next visit.

This review gives advice for those with very young children: Save this for a rainy day a decade from now. We drove over an hour here with a bus full of Pre-K kids in summer camp. Camp organizers had seen pictures of the gold panning, the garden and the kids play area and thought this place would be great for a field trip during the camping themed week. While the museum at large wasn't a great fit for preschool, these offerings were sufficient to tide us over for a 1.5 hour visit. Here's where things went awry: - The gold panning exhibit was CLOSED for much of the summer and would open only after the public school year starts. This was a punch in our guts as it was nearly the sole reason we came - The garden is nothing more than the size of a backyard so the pictures online were a bit deceiving. What's terrible was that the garden was more than half roped off for refurbishment - Which brings us to the one remaining kids play area. As all other options were closed, all kids, mommies, nannies, other field trip groups were crammed into this small play area. There were no staff members helping enforce rules so this became a free for all with the kids. What's worse were some parents who took EONS with their kids. For example, there is a neat movie green screen where a child can ride a pretend horse in front of a green screen and, through movie magic, appear in a cowboy movie, riding along with other cowboys... Anyway, the concept of sharing and taking turns didn't dawn on them. 50 people were in line and a mother took 20 min with her 3 kids, letting an entire movie lapse for each child. Her kids weren't even interested but she insisted they each get a whole movie. WTH??? There were many artsy galleries with dark themes: dying Jesus on the cross with large, fresh looking lacerations, imposing dark figures with menacing eyes, displays of guns, pictures of protests and police aggression. It's very hard to not accidentally walk into a gallery where a 5 year old might find a nightmare, see mature violence or ask questions why police officers are mean. Parents should have conversations about these things with their kids... maybe at a more mature age. But college age camp counselors are not quite equipped to fill this role and adequately field these questions. If I were planning field trips, I would NEVER send a preschool here. I was surprised not to find more Native American themes. No exhibits of chieftains or arrowheads. Also surprised to not see the exploration and acquisition of the West to the States. No Georgia Okeeffe art. No Montana landscapes. I suppose you can only focus on so much in a smaller museum but these gaps were surprising. Like why focus a large exhibit on Protests at the expense of a classic theme? If other museums filled these gaps, it would have been nice for this museum to provide recommendations. In light of our audience and restricted experience, I would give the museum 1 mandatory star. We will not be back. But alas I recognize this museum serves a purpose - I give a total of 3 stars as it is more enthralling for a much older audience. If all this still keeps you interested, this museum has free days, clean bathrooms and friendly staff. Enjoy!