DAY TRIP Peterson Automotive Museum

The Peterson Automotive Museum got its jump start when Margie and Robert E. Peterson donated $5 million to the National History Museum in Los Angeles on June 11, 1994. In 2000, the couple donated $24.8 million, clearing previous bond debt and establishing the Peterson Automotive Museum. The museum’s purpose is to explore and present the history and impact of the automobile in America. Using 300,000 square feet of museum, the exhibits feature more than 150 rare and classic cars, trucks and motorcycles to be the foremost automotive museum in the nation.

The four-floor museum takes visitors into different automotive worlds. The first floor traces the automobile’s history. The second floor has rotating galleries of race cars, classic cars, vintage motorcycles, concept cars, celebrity and movie cars, and auto design technology. The third floor’s May Family Discovery Center displays the art of science in the automobile with interactive exhibits and learning centers. The fourth floor is an all-glass penthouse conference center, lounge and kitchen available for special events.

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GETTING THERE

Take the I-405 North and exit onto the I-10 East/Rosa Parks Freeway toward Los Angeles. Take exit 7B for Fairfax Avenue. Turn left at South Fairfax Avenue and then right at Wilshire Boulevard.

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HOURS

The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The museum is closed on major holidays and Mondays.

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ADMISSION

Tickets for adults are $10, tickets for students, seniors and active military with ID are $5, tickets for children 5 to 12 years old are $3, and children under 5 are free.

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NASCAR

From Feb. 15 to Aug. 31 the museum will have a special exhibit featuring the world of NASCAR, tracing the sports last 60 years of existence. Cars will be imported showing the evolution of NASCAR racing, as well as trophies, memorabilia and audio/visual exhibits.

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HOT WHEELS

The museum also hosts the Hot-Wheels exhibit dedicated to collectible toy cars. The exhibit has full-size and die-cast cars at the exhibit. Interactive displays of the cars, both the collectible miniatures and full-scale models, are there for visitors to enjoy. Located on the second floor of the museum, the exhibit recently returned to the museum to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the legendary toy.

— Daniel Tedford