Peterson Automotive is one of the top car museums in Los Angeles and definitely a must see for any petrolhead. Founded in 1994 by Robert and Margie Petersen, it is now the nation’s largest automotive museum.
Petersen Automotive consists of three floors of exhibit space and is located on Museum Row in the Miracle Mile neighborhood of downtown Los Angeles. The exterior of the building is whimsical, featuring a fluid mess of lines and steel that evokes the Walt Disney Concert Hall.
Each floor has different features to help you understand the history of cars and how they were made. There is a small race track that you can drive around, toy cars to play with, a sketching/tracing station, and even a motorcycle for a fun photo op.
There is also an art gallery where you can see how people have customized their cars to make them look like unconventional art canvases. It is an incredibly unique experience and really shows the artistic side of the automobile.
In 2015, the entire museum underwent a massive transformation that cost 90 million dollars. This re-designed space allows for many more changing exhibits and also includes an interactive Vault Tour that is available for an additional fee. This 90 minute tour is a great way to get a closer look at some of the most iconic and rare cars and motorcycles that have ever been built.