Go west, young dad

Every Sunday is “Family Day” at the Autry National Center. And on this Father’s Day, there’ll be special interactive activities and entertainment to please dads and their kids.

Visitors will learn about California’s mid-19^th century life and search for gold in a re-created panning station with “Gold Rush,” from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. At noon, there’s an outdoor story time, during which the Autry’s teachers will read dad-themed selections from their library. From noon to 3 p.m. cowboy poets from Western Music Association will play western classics. At 1:30 p.m., kids can make dad his very own bolo tie in a craft workshop. The Autry’s café is offering a special barbecue menu. Of course, you can bring your own fare and picnic on the lawn.

The Autry is an inter-cultural history center in Griffith Park that offers a taste of the American West through artifacts, art, research libraries and educational programs. On Sunday, it will have 3 docent-led tours at 11:30 a.m., 1, p.m., and 3 p.m. as well as a “Hands-on History Tour” at 1:30 p.m., where visitors can pick up and feel some of the items from their collection.

Admission to the Autry is $10 for adults, $6 for students and seniors, $3 for kids ages 3 to 12, and free for kids under 3. It is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Father’s Day. Directions to the center are available online.

Posted 6/15/11