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13 Free (or Really Cheap) Things to Do in Griffith Park

Fun fact: Griffith Park is over 5 times bigger than NY’s Central Park. With hikes, zoos, museums, beer (!), trains, playgrounds, ponies, golf, a carousel and lots more (all costing very little or nothing at all) it’s time to click through the slideshow and discover a baker’s dozen of the coolest places you just might not have visited in our gigantic urban forest.

See Stars!

Look to the Hollywood Hills. Just to the right of the Hollywood sign, you can see one of LA’s other iconic sights—the Griffith Observatory and Planetarium. Admission to the Observatory is free, and you can explore the exhibits, peek into the telescopes and poke around the grounds Tue.–Fri. from noon–10 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m.–10 p.m. Take in a show at the planetarium (kids under 5 are free and are only allowed at the first show of the day) for $3-$7. And before you leave, be sure to look to the hills behind you for a spectacular view of the Hollywood Sign.

Bonus: During school vacations (winter, spring and summer breaks) the Observatory hosts the Let’s Make a Comet demonstration, where a scientist demonstrates how to mix common household ingredients with dry ice to make a small comet that’s just like the real thing. This free 25 minute show is worth seeing again and again.

Find It: 2800 East Observatory Road
Learn More: griffithobservatory.org

photo: mmcothern via Creative Commons

What’s your favorite thing to do in Griffith Park?  We want to know!  Meet you in the comment section…

—Meghan Rose