Petersen Automotive Museum
4.7(11,805)4.7 out of 5 stars, 11805 reviews Los Angeles, CA
About Petersen Automotive Museum
The Petersen Automotive Museum offers a unique blend of automotive history and hands-on experiences, making it an engaging destination for families, especially those with car enthusiasts.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Families with car enthusiastsEducational trips for childrenCasual visitors interested in American automotive historyYoung children (play area on the 2nd floor)Teens and adults (detailed exhibits and Vault tour)
Why families love it
- Vault tour with rare vehicles
- Spacious and well-designed layout
- Hands-on play area for young children
- Informative exhibits featuring famous cars from movies
- Knowledgeable and welcoming staff
- On-site café with good food options
Insider tips
- Consider visiting on weekdays to avoid crowds
- Budget for the Vault tour if you're a car enthusiast
- Plan to spend at least 2-3 hours to fully enjoy the exhibits
Good to know before you go
- Weekends and school trip days if you prefer a quieter experience
- Potential crowds during school trips
- Extra cost for the Vault tour may deter some visitors
- Crowds
- Can get busy during school trips on weekdays and more crowded on weekends
- Value
- General admission is around $50, with an additional $20-30 for the Vault tour. The overall experience offers good value for car lovers, but families should budget for food and extra tours.
- Food
- On-site café available for snacks and meals; no specific food restrictions mentioned
- Accessibility
- The museum is spacious, but specific accommodations for special needs were not mentioned in the reviews
- Safety
- No specific safety measures mentioned in the reviews
What parents say
"The Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles is a paradise for car enthusiasts! The sleek, modern design of the building itself sets the tone, and the exhibits inside are just as impressive. From vintage classics to cutting-edge concept cars, there’s something for everyone. The "Vault" tour, showcasing rare and iconic vehicles, is a must if you’re a serious car fan. There’s a small café for a quick bite, and the staff is knowledgeable and welcoming. Perfect for families, car lovers, or anyone curious about automotive history. A great spot to visit any day, especially if you’re into unique an"
a month ago
"Awesome museum. Wasn't sure what to expect but it didn't disappoint. It had a lot of live specimens of models I've heard of and never seen live, as well as a lot of other famous cars from movies etc. Very informative and I spent 2-3 hours here as i needed to examine every exhibit carefully. Definitely recommend to anyone who likes cars! I didn't even make it to the vault as I didn't want to pay the 20-30 surcharge (as it seemed a lot for 50 in total) but that might be for another visit if I'm back in town"
2 months ago
"I went during the week and purchased tickets to the vault well worth perusing for really any car fan of any type. During the week not so busy with the public, however, schools do museum trips on these days so areas can easily be crowded in the flip of a switch. Location also has a very convenient cafe/restaurant on site which was delicious from the bar to the entrees would recommend budgeting for a snack or meal here on a visit."
a week ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
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