Entering the Petersen: The First Floor 

I'll confess: bringing my two-year-old to a museum full of priceless automobiles sounded intimidating (and potentially financially devastating). Which is why I was so pleasantly surprised from the moment we entered the Petersen. As we approached the front doors, my kids ooed and aaahed at the vehicles parked outside, then walked into the lobby area to find brightly-colored cars waiting for photo ops.

There was a car in the corner with an open door and a sign encouraging kiddos to climb inside. It was the perfect way to help teach my kids that some of these cars are only meant to be looked at, but others are hands-on! 

We walked by the gift shop, the coffee shop, and the cafe and entered the main first floor exhibit.

There are some many interesting automobiles to admire. 

80's and 90's Icons - and an Arcade too! 

My kids were promptly drawn to the arcade display in the middle of the Totally Awesome Cars and Culture of the '80s and '90s exhibit. A staff member kindly gave each kid a quarter to try their hand at one of the retro video games. While they played, my husband and I oogled the original DeLorean (Back to the Future is my husband's favorite flick!). This downstairs display included cars from the unique (a yellow Pac-Man car was a highlight for my kids) to the fantastic. 

Mr. Brainwash Makes an Appearance 

Once we'd had our fill of going back a few decades, we wandered over to a far more colorful and unique exhibit, the Petersen's collaboration with Mr. Brainwash (of Beverly Hills fame). Cars are Beautiful: Mr. Brainwash at the Petersen is all about art, color, and the bizarre with vibrant, vehicular displays.

My daughter loved climbing into an oversize matchbox car, petting the "fuzzy pink" car, taking photos in the giant painting recreations that made her look like she was in a work of art, and checking out the largest Cozy Coupe either of us had ever seen. We almost missed this hidden room, tucked back towards the entrance of the museum, and I'm so glad I looked around the corner to find it. It made for the best photo ops of the trip. 

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Kids can climb into some of the cars for fun photo ops. 

Hands on Play: The Second Floor 

Don't Miss the Discovery Center - AKA the Cars Mechanical Institute 

The second floor at the Petersen has a lot to offer, but the number one stop with kiddos needs to be the Discovery Center (aka the Cars Mechanical Institute). This interactive kids' space is packed with activities for your littlest gearheads. Kids can hop in a vintage car for a photo, sit in a race car, build their own LEGO vehicles and race them down ramps, trace iconic cars, and create unique crafts, among other things. The area is walled in from the rest of the museum, so kids can be kids without disturbing the patrons outside.

There are even complimentary phone chargers available in the room. So, in a way, both you and your phone can recharge while the kids are happily entertained. Keep in mind that this is not a drop-off location. Parents must supervise their kids in the play area at all times. 

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See a self-driving car up close and personal. 

Unique Vehicles Spanning the Ages 

My boys were fascinated by the Waymo exhibit (and even more excited when we saw a Waymo in action when pulling away from the museum later!). The second floor is also home to a fascinating display on electric vehicles, an exhibit about the development of the motorcycle, and the Nearburg Gallery, with a rotating display of incredible racecars. 

Immerse Yourself in an Interactive Race at the Forza Motorsport Racing Experience

After getting inspired, the boys were able to "drive" racing vehicles at the Forza Motorsport Racing Experience, an interactive simulator that is both immersive and entertaining. My nine-year-old was tall enough to operate a simulator alone, but my six-year-old used a "standing" version.

Both boys were whooping and hollering as they sped through the streets. Sometimes, guests need to put their names on a list and wait for this experience, but we found it was absolutely worth it. The simulators are included with museum admission, and my boys both said it was their favorite part of the visit. 

Meet the Real Celebrities: The Third Floor 

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You don't need to drive to Radiator Springs to see Lightning McQueen. 

Keep an Eye Out for Lightning McQueen! 

Most of the "movie cars" are located on the top floor of the Petersen. This is Hollywood, after all. You can check out the Batmobile, Sharpay's car from High School Musical, the van from Little Miss Sunshine, Herbie the Love Bug, the Mystery Machine from Scooby-Doo (this one was on the second floor), and, maybe the best of all, Lightning McQueen from Cars. 

More 3rd Floor Fun

There's also an amazing exhibit dedicated to Ken Block (remember DC skater shoes?), with incredible footage of height-defying vehicles and a fascinating display of GM model cars from over the years upstairs. 

What's the in the Vault? 

We've gone through the three levels of the Petersen, but I haven't mentioned the "sub-level" hidden beneath the museum. The Vault is home to an amazing collection of rare and priceless vehicles. It requires an additional ticket, and closes earlier than the rest of the museum (usually 5pm), but it's a must if you are a car enthusiast.

Keep in mind that children under the age of 5 are not allowed down to the Vault. The vault has everything from hot-rods to the cars of Hollywood legends, to heads of state cars, to cars that pushed the boundaries of innovation. All of these vehicles are for eyes only- if you have little ones that have a hard time keeping their hands to themselves, you may want to opt out of this level. 

If You Get Hungry at the Petersen

Craving a bite while at the Petersen? You've come to the right place- the Petersen is home to the Meyers Manx Cafe (named after the original dune buggy). This charming cafe is an homage to Southern California sunshine and surf culture- and the menu is packed with culinary delights. The menu ranges from an all day brunch to pizzas, salads, burgers, and bowls. Don't forget to also grab a cuppa joe! You do not need museum admission to visit this foodie haven. 

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Kids of all ages will love exploring the Petersen. 

What You Need to Know Before Visiting the Petersen Museum with Kids 

• The first thing to highlight is how kind all the staff were at the Petersen. As I mentioned above, I was intimidated to bring young kids to a museum with so many priceless vehicles, but the warm and welcoming staff made me feel so comfortable. If you are hesitant for the same reason I was, don't be! 
• Strollers are welcome in the museum, and a central elevator helps stroller-pushing families get from one level to another.
• The spacious bathrooms on the second level have changing tables.
• A crawl area in the Discovery Center is perfect for wiggly babies who need to stretch out for a bit.
• We gave our kids a little talk about not stepping over the guard ropes around certain cars when we entered the museum. While this museum is totally kid-friendly, kids will need to be aware of the signs indicating automobiles that are for eyes only. 

Parking at the Petersen

The Petersen has its own parking garage connected to the museum, making parking a breeze. There are even some neat cars parked in there, as a little sneak peek of what's to come! Enter the garage from Fairfax Ave. The parking garage costs $18 for the first two hours, with a $3 additional fee per hour. There is a daily max cap of $24. Patrons who purchase more than $75 worth of items in the gift shop recieve a parking validation. 

More Fun at the Petersen for Families 

There are exciting programs for kids of all ages every day in the Discovery Center. On select Saturdays (usually the third Saturday of the month), kids ages 3-6 can participate in the Little Sparks program, which explores the worlds of science and art through crafts and experiments. This program is free with museum admission. 

Teens ages 14-19 are invited to participate in the Teen Auto Workshop, which teaches teens the basic skills of automotive mechanics while caring for a car. 

Teens ages 15 and up are welcome to participate in automobile detailing workshops, learning how to fine-tune and take extra care of their vehicles. 

Keep a lookout on our calendar for even more fun events at the Petersen, such as the Annual Junior Concours. 

Get this- the Petersen also hosts kids' birthday parties! If you are hoping for a race-car-themed party, there couldn't be a better spot to host. Parties typically include a docent-led tour followed by birthday festivities in a private party room. 

All photos by author Kylie Williams.