The Autry Museum of the American West is an institution dedicated to the history, art, and cultures of the American West, located within Griffith Park in Los Angeles, California.
The museum is covered by the Go City Los Angeles pass, which could save you serious money if tackling several LA attractions.
This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport or parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips. It was updated in March 2026, confirming the ongoing temporary closure of the on-site cafe and the strict restriction on large bags.
Quick facts
| Category | Details |
| Opening hours | Tuesday to Friday, 10:00 to 16:00; Weekends, 10:00 to 17:00 |
| Ticket prices | $20 general admission; $9 to $15 reduced |
| Address | 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, CA 90027 |
| Nearest public transport or parking | LA Metro Bus 96 / Free on-site car park |
| Typical time needed to visit | 2 to 3 hours |
Autry Museum of the American West opening hours
The Autry Museum of the American West opens at 10:00 from Tuesday to Sunday year-round. From Tuesday to Friday, the museum closes at 16:00, while weekend hours extend slightly until 17:00.
The museum is standardly closed on Mondays, with the exception of specific national holidays including Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The site closes completely on Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day.
5 Los Angeles experiences worth booking
- 🎬 See how the movie magic works on the Warner Bros Studio tour.
- 🎢 Take on the rides and enjoy the shows at Universal Studios Hollywood.
- 🚌 Ogle celebrity homes in Hollywood and Beverly Hills from an open air bus.
- 🥾 Hike up to the Hollywood Sign, guided by comedians and their dogs.
- 🚲 Pedal along the coast on a Santa Monica and Venice guided e-bike tour.
Autry Museum of the American West ticket prices
Standard general admission is $20 for adults. A reduced rate of $15 is available for students and seniors aged 62 and over, while children aged 3 to 12 cost $9. Children aged two and under, as well as active-duty US military personnel and veterans, enter for free. Admission is entirely free for all visitors on the first Wednesday of every month.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in March 2026. The museum is included in the Go City Los Angeles pass, alongside Universal Studios Hollywood, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour, the Aquarium of the Pacific, and the Battleship IOWA Museum.
Why book the Go City Los Angeles All-Inclusive Pass?
- 🎬 Universal Studios Hollywood: Get 1-day general admission to this world-famous theme park and working film studio (included with all 3, 5, or 7-day passes).
- 🎟️ 40+ Top Attractions: Gain entry to the best of LA, including Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood, Madame Tussauds, Knott’s Berry Farm, and the Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier.
- 💰 Substantial Savings: Save up to 50% on total admission prices compared to purchasing individual tickets at the gate for each site.
- 📱 Instant Digital Pass: No need for paper vouchers; simply download the pass to your smartphone and scan it for easy, contactless entry at every stop.
- ⏱️ Explore at Your Own Pace: Choose a pass duration (1, 2, 3, 5, or 7 days) and visit as many attractions as you like within that timeframe for ultimate flexibility.
How to get to the Autry Museum of the American West
The museum is situated in Griffith Park, directly opposite the Los Angeles Zoo. For visitors using public transport, LA Metro bus route 96 serves the LA Zoo stop, which is a short walk from the museum entrance.
Given the heavily car-dependent infrastructure of Los Angeles, driving or using a ride-hailing service is the most common and practical method of reaching the attraction.
Parking at the Autry Museum of the American West
A large, free visitor car park is located directly outside the museum on Western Heritage Way.
Because the museum shares proximity with the Los Angeles Zoo, traffic on the approach roads can become congested on weekends and public holidays, though the museum’s dedicated parking spaces generally offer sufficient capacity.
How long to spend at the Autry Museum of the American West
A typical visit takes 2 to 3 hours. This allows enough time to view the permanent galleries on the main and lower levels, as well as walk through the outdoor garden.
Accessibility at the Autry Museum of the American West
The site is fully accessible to wheelchair users, featuring flat entryways, lifts connecting the two floors, and adapted restroom facilities.
The museum provides Sensory Support Kits free of charge at the visitor services desk. These kits contain noise-cancelling headphones, fidget toys, sunglasses, and weighted blankets. Social narrative guides are also available online to help visitors prepare for the museum environment.
What to see inside the Autry Museum of the American West
The permanent exhibitions explore the history, art, and Native cultures of the American West. The Art of the West gallery groups items into themes of religion, landscape, and migration, displaying indigenous artifacts alongside contemporary pieces.
The Western Frontiers exhibition focuses on the role of firearms in the region’s history, displaying antique weapons from historical manufacturers like Colt and Winchester. In the Cowboy Gallery, visitors view a life-sized chuck wagon and traditional riding gear.
The Human Nature exhibition connects indoor displays about the Californian environment to an outdoor ethnobotanical garden, which features a waterfall and native plant species. A hands-on film set area called Imagined West Studios allows visitors to experiment with green screens and props to simulate Western film production.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip category | Advice |
| Timing | Arrive when the doors open at 10:00 on a weekday for the quietest environment. |
| Crowds | The site is busiest on the first Wednesday of each month when general admission is completely free. |
| Layout | Pick up a physical map at the desk to ensure you locate the lower-level galleries and the outdoor garden. |
| Entry process | Book tickets online in advance to bypass the physical ticket desk on busy weekends. |
| On-site logistics | Large bags over 13 x 12 x 4 inches are banned, and with no lockers on-site, they must be left in your vehicle. |
Frequently asked questions about the Autry Museum of the American West
| Question | Answer |
| Is the Autry Museum of the American West suitable for children? | Yes, it features a dedicated Family Play Space and interactive green-screen areas. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for the Autry Museum of the American West? | No, but advance online booking is highly recommended for the free admission days. |
| Is the Autry Museum of the American West open on Sundays? | Yes, it is open every Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00. |
| Are bags allowed at the Autry Museum of the American West? | Small bags are permitted, but anything larger than 13 x 12 x 4 inches is strictly prohibited. |
Things to do near the Autry Museum of the American West
- Los Angeles Zoo
- Griffith Observatory
- The Hollywood Sign
- Universal Studios Hollywood
- Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood
More Los Angeles travel
Other Los Angeles travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- A first-time visitor’s guide to the Page Museum in Los Angeles.
- How West Hollywood became the gay capital of Los Angeles.
- Complete guide to the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum in Yorba Linda.
- How to visit the USS Battleship Iowa at the Port of Los Angeles.
- A practical guide to visiting the Petersen Automative Museum in Los Angeles.
- Planning a visit to the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles.
- Joining the runners at Runyon Canyon.
- What to expect at Griffith Observatory in the Hollywood Hills.
- Plan your visit to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
