The Petersen Automotive Museum is a world-renowned museum located in Los Angeles, California.
It is one of the oldest and largest automotive museums in the world and has been in operation since 1994.
Dedicated to the exploration and preservation of automotive history, culture and art, this museum is one of a kind.
The Petersen Automotive Museum is an amazing place to explore and learn about the evolution of automobiles and the history of the automotive industry.
What to Expect in Petersen Automotive Museum
The Petersen Museum houses over 100 vehicles on display in its 25 galleries, from the earliest horseless carriages to the most modern concepts.
It also features a variety of interactive exhibits that feature everything from hands-on restoration to high-tech virtual reality experiences.
Visitors to the Petersen Automotive Museum can explore a wide variety of vehicles from around the world, including
- Turn-of-the-twentieth-century cars
- head-of-state cars
- American classics
- Cars belonging to Hollywood legends
- Award-winning hot rods
- Cars that pushed the boundaries of innovation
In addition, the museum offers interactive exhibits that allow visitors to take a look at the cars, learn about the history of automotive engineering and take virtual test drives.
The museum also hosts educational programs, art installations, car club meetings and other special occasions.
No matter your level of interest in cars, the Petersen Automotive Museum has something for everyone.
Petersen Automotive Museum Tickets
If you are interested in visiting the Petersen Automotive Museum, make sure to secure your entry to the museum.
The Museum offers various admission tickets from general admission to guided tours.
Some of the best Peterson Automotive Museum tickets are listed below.
Los Angeles: Petersen Automotive Museum Admission Ticket
Check out one of the most impressive vintage car collections in the world.
View more than 100 classic cars, trucks and motorcycles spread out over three levels and 25 galleries.
Appreciate the beauty and opulence of famous vehicles while learning about their engineering.
Behold Italian Maseratis and Japanese “supercars” and participate in interactive displays that will amuse the entire family.
Take a trip to the Cars Mechanical Institute was inspired by the movie.
Observe as your favorite car’s characters demonstrate the mechanical processes that allow vehicles to operate.
Paint and customize virtual cars. Compete and color your own Cars character to take home.
Youngsters can race their toy cars on a track. Sit in the driver’s seat of a virtual race car with the Forza Motorsports Experience.
Pick one of 8 curated experiences and get a taste of what it’s like to go fast on the racetrack.
Ticket prices:
| Visitors’ Age | Ticket Price ($) |
|---|---|
| Adult ticket (18 to 61 years) | $19 |
| Senior ticket ( 62+ years) | $17 |
| Youth ticket (4 to17 years) | $12 |
Note: Children below 4 years of age can get free admission to the museum.
Los Angeles: Petersen Automotive Museum Public Vault Tour
A visit to the Petersen Automotive Museum will provide you with a unique experience.
You will have access to the main exhibits featuring 25 galleries over 3 floors of automotive history, spanning 120 years.
The interactive teaching exhibits provide fun for the whole family.
Additionally, book a guided tour of the exclusive Vault, which displays over 250 classic vehicles, from the late 1800s to the present day.
Some of the cars featured include a 1910 Ford Model T Roadster and the 1981 Delorean “Time Machine” from the movie “Back to the Future”.
Enjoy a 90-minute tour of the Vault, where you will be able to observe some of the most iconic and rare cars, motorcycles and trucks, which you won’t see anywhere else.
Ticket prices:
| Visitors’ Age | Ticket Price ($) |
|---|---|
| Adult ticket (18 to 61 years) | $44 |
| Senior ticket ( 62+ years) | $42 |
| Youth ticket (4 to17 years) | $39 |
Los Angeles: Petersen Automotive Museum Private Tour
Experience a one-hour personalized tour of the Petersen Automotive Museum, where you can explore an expansive display of over 100 classic cars, trucks and motorcycles.
Examine the intricate details of iconic vehicles while learning about their engineering.
Appreciate the beauty of Italian Maseratis and Japanese supercars and explore the Hollywood Gallery on the History Floor.
See hot rods and custom cars on the Industry Floor and explore the masterpieces in the Mullin Grand Salon on the Artistry Floor.
Visit the Cars Mechanical Institute inspired by the animated film, where you can watch characters explain the mechanical systems that make cars work.
Paint and customize virtual cars, race and color your own Cars character to take home and have kids zoom toy cars around a racetrack.
Get behind the wheel of a virtual race car with the Forza Motorsports Experience, choosing from 8 curated experiences and feeling the thrill of the racetrack.
Tour prices:
| Visitors’ Age | Ticket Price ($) |
|---|---|
| Adult ticket (0 to 99 years) | $132 |
Petersen Automotive Museum Opening Time
The Petersen Automotive Museum is open to the public every day of the week.
The museum is open from 10 am to 5 pm, with the last entry at 4.30 pm.
Best Time to Visit Petersen Automotive Museum
The best time to visit the Petersen Automotive Museum is between March and May, when the temperature is more comfortable and the crowds are manageable.
During the winter months December to February, the museum offers a variety of activities and events that are perfect for visitors of all ages.
Some of the events include
- Hoods Up! for the Holidays
- Shelby Collection Tour Day
- Annual Shelby Cruise-In
- January Santa Paula Cars & Coffee
- Ferrari Tour Day & Evening Reception
- Annual Enzo Ferrari Cruise-In
- Rally to Scottsdale
Many of the events and activities are free or have discounted admission.
The museum is also home to several car shows and special events throughout the year.
How to Reach Petersen Automotive Museum
The Petersen Automotive Museum is located at 6060 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036.
It is easily accessible by car, bike, bus and train.
By Bus
The closest bus stations to Petersen Automotive Museum are:
| Station Name | Distance |
|---|---|
| Wilshire / Ogden | 1 min walk |
| Wilshire Blvd & Ogden (Westbound) | 3 min walk |
| Wilshire & Fairfax | 3 min walk |
| Fairfax / 6th | 4 min walk |
Bus lines with directions to Petersen Automotive Museum are as follows.
| Line Name | Directions |
|---|---|
| 20 | Downtown LA – 6th – Main |
| DASH | Westbound |
| 720 | Santa Monica (Rapid) |
| 217 | Vermont / Sunset Station |
| 786 | Palmdale – Lanca |
By Rail
The Closest light rail station near Petersen Automotive Museum is La Cienega/Jefferson station.
By Car
The easiest way to get to the Petersen Automotive Museum is to drive.
The museum is located just off the Wilshire Boulevard exit on the I-10 Freeway.
There is a large parking lot available for museum visitors.
By Bike
The Petersen Automotive Museum is easily accessible by bike.
There are bike lanes on both Wilshire Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue.
There is also a bike rack located at the museum entrance for visitors who choose to ride their bike.
Things to do at Petersen Automotive Museum
The Petersen Automotive Museum is the only museum in the world that focuses solely on the automotive industry and it offers visitors a variety of exciting activities to enjoy.
Here is the list of things to do at the Museum
Cars of Film and Television
This exhibit celebrates the impact of Hollywood on car culture, featuring cars from iconic films and television shows.
Visitors can see classic cars from movies like The Fast and the Furious, Bullitt, Back to the Future and Indiana Jones.
Cars Mechanical Institute
Learn about the mechanics of cars and their history at the Cars Mechanical Institute.
This interactive space offers hands-on activities that allow visitors to look at how cars are designed and built.
Alternative Power
Explore how cars can be powered, from traditional combustion engines to electric and hydrogen-powered cars.
See the newest advancements in alternative power and learn about the science behind different types of engines.
Forza Motorsports Racing
Experience the thrill of high-speed racing with Forza Motorsports Racing.
Race against your friends on one of the Museum’s multiple tracks or challenge yourself to beat the clock in time trials.
Events
The Petersen Automotive Museum hosts various events throughout the year, from movie screenings to car shows.
Catch a film at the Museum’s Drive-In Movie Nights or immerse yourself in classic car culture at the Hot Rod and Custom Car Show.
Tours
Take a guided tour of the Museum to learn about its history and collections.
Tours are available for adults and children and offer a unique perspective on the Museum’s vast collection.
Educational Programs
The Petersen Automotive Museum offers a wide range of educational programs for students of all ages.
These programs teach students about the science, technology and history of cars.
Shop
The Museum’s gift shop is a great place to find souvenirs, books, apparel and more.
Pick up a t-shirt to remember your visit or find a unique gift for the car enthusiast in your life.
Featured Image: Petersen.org
