In Burbank, discoveries range from a historic house on a museum site to nature programs in the Verdugo Mountains. Art in public spaces and recurring events add their own highlights. When planning, it’s worth checking the different time windows: the museum opens on weekends, while other offerings are tied to specific weekdays or dates.
Museum history with set opening hours
The Gordon R. Howard Museum Complex is open Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.; exceptions apply on holidays. Admission for the public is free, except for docent-led group tours. Most of the Burbank Historical Society’s collection is housed in the museum complex. The facility covers 20,000 square feet.
The historic Mentzer House is part of the museum grounds. Dating from 1887, the house was moved to the Burbank Historical Society grounds and restored in 1977. The two dates mark different milestones: the house’s construction and its later relocation to its current museum site. Those interested in local history will find both a historic building and the society’s collections in one place.
Art, landmarks and events
Burbank’s Art in Public Places offers a free, self-guided art tour that can be explored by city district. The city’s overview is current as of June 2025. Another cultural theme is featured at Compass Tree Park: the park commemorates a landmark from 1817, when Spanish padres planted four sycamore trees to mark the cardinal directions. The compass tiles in the park echo this theme.
“The Answer is Yes – Mural and Interactive Sound Installation” is also part of Burbank’s art offerings; the installation is located at the Verdugo Aquatic Facility. There’s another regular Friday event: Bob’s Big Boy Burbank hosts a Classic Car Show every week from 4:00 to 10:00 p.m. Magnolia Park holds a street festival on the last Friday of each month; its program may change.
Nature and exercise in the Verdugo Mountains
Stough Canyon Nature Center is located in the Verdugo Mountains. Its exhibits and nature walks teach visitors about the mountains, wildlife, flora, fauna and habitats. Astronomy programs are also part of its educational offerings. Nature and views of the night sky are both in focus.
All-terrain trackchairs are available at the Nature Center at designated times, with online reservations required. A staff member leads the group during the hiking experience. If this offering is important to your plans, take the set times and required reservation into account.
For a combination of cycling and walking, the Burbank Channel Bikeway stretches for over a mile. The multi-use path connects residential neighborhoods, commercial areas and regional bicycle networks. Compass Tree Park serves as a rest stop along the bikeway and offers shaded seating and compass tiles. The park’s present-day use as a place to pause along the route meets its role as a reminder of the historic compass landmark.
Another outdoor option is DeBell Golf Club, which has an 18-hole regulation golf course and is located in the foothills of the Verdugo Mountains.
Plan dates and your stay
Burbank also offers free live TV tapings, for which tickets can be reserved in advance. Participating productions vary. Hollywood Burbank Airport offers nonstop flights to major cities in the United States; routes and airlines may change.
Match your preferred dates to your days of stay, and check holiday exceptions as well as changing event schedules and flight connections.
Discover more destinations: Universal City, La Mirada, Alhambra, Lawndale, La Puente, Mission Hills, San Marino, Hermosa Beach
For the overview of the wider area: Los Angeles.
