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Glendale on a Budget: 5 Days of Fun

Explore Glendale on a budget - adventure awaits!

21 June 2023

Visiting Glendale on a limited budget is possible by staying in budget hotels like Super 8 or Motel 6. There are several free attractions in Glendale including Deukmejian Wilderness Park, Brand Park, and Verdugo Mountains Open Space Preserve. For cheap eats, visitors can head to local favorites like Porto's Bakery or In-N-Out Burger.

Travel plan

• Check into the Best Western Plus Glendale Hotel, a budget-friendly option with free breakfast and an outdoor pool.
• Grab lunch at The Habit Burger Grill, where locals swear by the char-grilled burgers and crinkle-cut fries.
• Spend the afternoon exploring the nearby Brand Park, which hosts the stunning Brand Library and Art Center, lush botanical gardens, and scenic hiking trails.
• Satisfy your sweet tooth with a visit to Porto's Bakery, where the Cuban pastries and cakes have a cult following.
• End the day with dinner at Tony's Bella Vista, a classic Italian joint with cozy red booths and old-school charm.

• Start the day at the Museum of Neon Art, a quirky institution dedicated to the art and craft of neon signs.
• Head to the nearby Americana at Brand, a chic outdoor shopping center with high-end stores and trendy restaurants.
• Catch a matinee at the historic Alex Theatre, a beautifully restored movie palace from the 1920s.
• Enjoy a casual dinner at The Morrison, a gastropub known for its craft beer and inventive burgers.
• End the night with a nightcap at The Famous, a cozy whiskey bar with a speakeasy vibe.

• Take the bus or train to downtown Los Angeles for a day of exploring.
• Walk around the historic Grand Central Market, a bustling food hall with a wide range of vendors.
• Visit The Last Bookstore, a sprawling indie bookstore with vintage charm and unique art installations.
• Check out the Arts District, a hip area with colorful street art, chic boutiques, and craft breweries.
• Return to Glendale for dinner at The Kitchen, a farm-to-table restaurant with a cozy patio and seasonal menu.
• End the night with drinks at The Oak & Vine, an intimate wine bar with a great selection of bottles and small bites.

• Start the day at Descanso Gardens, a stunning botanical garden with over 150 acres to explore.
• Visit the nearby Norton Simon Museum, a world-class art museum with a focus on European and Asian art.
• Grab lunch at The Luggage Room, a trendy pizzeria housed in an old train station.
• Spend the afternoon shopping at the Glendale Galleria, a large mall with a range of stores and a movie theater.
• Have a late dinner at Din Tai Fung, a popular Taiwanese restaurant chain known for its xiao long bao (soup dumplings).

• Take a short drive to Griffith Park, a large urban park with great views of Los Angeles and a range of activities, including hiking, horseback riding, and visiting the Griffith Observatory.
• Visit the nearby Museum of Jurassic Technology, a small museum that blurs the line between fact and fiction.
• Grab a final lunch at Foxy's Restaurant, a local diner with retro charm and classic comfort food.
• Visit the Brand Art Center, home to rotating contemporary art exhibitions and a beautiful terrace overlooking the mountains.
• End the trip with a visit to The Pit, a bar with a spacious outdoor patio and live music on weekends.