You don't have to be John Wayne or Annie Oakley to appreciate the thrill of the Old West. What's not to love about rustic life where the longhorn cattle feed on the lowly gypsum weed? (Except, possibly, having to watch where you step.)

Pull on some cowboy boots, grab your Stetson and take the kids to these five Western-inspired destinations.

• Gene Autry's Museum of the American West, Los Angeles. Founded by America's favorite singing cowboy, this sprawling museum offers artifacts from rare pistols to props used in Western TV shows and films. Highlights include the impressive Colt firearms collection, as well as the Cowboy Gallery, which traces the evolution of this iconic American figure. 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles; 323-667-2000; www.autrynationalcenter.org.

• Aspen Ridge Resort, Bly, Ore. Want to live like a cowboy, but without that whole sleeping-under-a-canvas thing?

Try this rustic-yet-comfortable resort, which is also a working cattle ranch. In addition to horseback riding, fishing and hiking, guests have the opportunity to pitch in with real ranch duties, such as helping staff to herd little dogies. 18 miles southeast of Bly. 800-393-3323; www.aspenrr.com.

• Wild Horse Sanctuary, Shingletown, Calif. Saddle up and witness the true ``wild'' west with one of the sanctuary's two- or three-day pack trips, on which visitors take trail rides to observe wild horses in their natural surroundings. 5796 Wilson Hill Rd., Shingletown; 530-335-2241; www.wildhorsesanctuary.org.

• Old Tucson Studios, Tucson. This film set, built 70 years ago as a replica of 1860s Tucson, has been used as the background in more than 300 Western movies and TV shows.

In addition to studio tours, visitors can pan for gold, take trail rides, enjoy a ``can can'' musical in the saloon, and dodge gunfight shows. 201 Kinney Road, Tucson, Ariz.; 520- 883-0100; www.oldtucson.com.

• Wagon Wheel Coffee Shop, Carmel Valley, Calif. Reputed to be a favorite breakfast spot of quintessential cowboy Clint Eastwood, the Wagon Wheel is famous for its wall-to-wall country Western decor and delicious home-style food.

Your pancakes might not be flipped by a true-blue cowboy over an open fire, but you'll appreciate the authentic Western memorabilia, cowboy apparel and old photographs that decorate the restaurant. 7156 Carmel Valley Rd., Carmel Valley; 831-624- 8878.

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