Petersen Automotive Museum

The Petersen Automotive Museum (often mispelled Peterson with an "o") is a fantastic place even if you aren't into cars. I promise! I'm not into cars, not even a little. However, I do appreciate history, art, beauty and just plain weird stuff and the museum has plenty.

They also have a whole section of the 3rd floor devoted to kids so this is an excellent family friendly place, which you might not realize. True, the main exhibits are "hands off" which can be hard for kids, especially ones who are really jazzed about cars but the family section has a race car, roadster and a mini fire truck they can sit in. They also have story time and other kid themed hands-on learning stuff. There is also a Hot Wheels exhibit that older kids love. We love it there.

The thing that I love (being a non-car lover, heck, I even hate to drive!) about Petersen Automotive Museum is that it isn't just a big warehouse full of car after car. Their displays are amazing and all part of the feel. They have mock 1950's markets or gas stations set up behind the cars, complete with real vintage product displays or gas pumps. There are endless things to enjoy and see.

The Peterson Automotive Museum always has a changing special exhibits on a theme. When we went last it was a "vintage camping" exhibit and a special roadster exhibit. The amount of cars they have based on special themes amaze me. Some cars they always show, like Presidential cars, famous people cars, cars from movies and just plain old, amazingly beautiful cars with history. They also have an "alternative fuel" exhibit that is worth seeing.

I guarantee that after you leave and go back to the parking lot, you'll look at all those modern cars in a totally different way, including yours. What happened to our car industry? Why do they have no artistic appeal? It is hard to imagine any of our modern cars in a museum 50 years from now, you know? Hmmmm, perhaps if I could drive one of these three wheeled (yes, three wheels!) Davis cars below maybe I'd be more into cars.

Children under five are free and it is $10 for adults plus $8 parking under the museum. Please note, they are closed on Mondays but open ever other day from 10-6pm.