A Guide to Visiting Lemay–America’s Car Museum in Seattle

Lemay-America’s Car Museum is one of the best auto museums in Seattle—and the world. Here’s why.
Written by David Ghanizadeh-Khoob
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
One of the best car museums in
Seattle
, Lemay–America’s Car Museum is 165,000 square feet of automotive appreciation. They have 11 exhibits on display, including information on founder Harold Lemay, Italian car maker
Alfa Romeo
, the history of NASCAR, and more.
Opened in 2012, America’s Car Museum has cemented itself as one of the best automotive museums in the world over the past decade. Dedicated to preserving America’s automotive history and beauties of the past and present, Lemay makes for a great day trip for car lovers and history buffs alike.
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What kind of exhibits are at Lemay—America’s Car Museum?

This beautiful, open concept car museum in Seattle features 11 exhibits focused on America’s automotive history. Some of the exhibits are permanent stays of the museum, while others are temporary installments. 
Six favorite exhibits on display in 2022 include: 

Reclaimed Rust: The James Hetfield Collection

Reclaimed Rust celebrates the one-of-a-kind automotive masterpieces that resulted from the collaboration between James Hetfield (frontman for Metallica) and some of America’s best custom car producers
With lots of inspiration pulled from historical art styles, this collection is sure to feature designs that you have never seen before and will never see again. 

Alfa Romeo: Born from Passion

Here you can appreciate the elegance, innovation, and style of the Italian sports car manufacturer Alfa Romeo
The exhibit was curated by Alfa Romeo expert Fred Russell to walk viewers through the past 100 years of design, from the 1930s grand prix racers to the sleek designs of the twenty-first century.

Legends of Motorsport: The Nascar Story

Get up close and personal with some of the cars that have dominated NASCAR in this exhibit. 
Learn about the technology that makes our modern racing machines possible as you explore old racing sedans to meticulously engineered sports cars.

British Invasion

The British Invasion is not just about cars (though of course that is the highlight)—it’s also an overall celebration of the British influence that invaded America from the 1940s through the 1960s. 
Some of the cars on display include classic
Jaguars
, Lotuses, and
Minis
. Alongside the cars, you’ll find displays about British music and cultural icons of the era.

Classics and Custom Coachwork

This exhibit highlights some of the most luxurious and brilliant designs from the 1930s era of custom coach building. At the time, high-end cars were built by having custom bodies and interiors built onto the manufacturer’s chassis. 
This exhibit illuminates the history of the practice by presenting some of the best classic custom coaches of the time.

Lucky’s Garage: A Tribute to Harold E. Lemay

A permanent fixture at America’s Car Museum, Lucky’s Garage tells the story of the museum's founder, Harold Lemay. Learn about Lemay’s unique take on car collecting and gain an appreciation for the historic, cultural, and aesthetic value of the cars that caught Lemay’s eye. 
The exhibit is a tribute to the man that made the museum possible, to the community that grew around his passion, and to the dedication of a man who once held the world record for largest car and memorabilia collection in the world.
MORE: 10 Affordable American muscle cars

When is America’s Car Museum open?

America’s Car Museum is open Thursday to Monday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with entries for the day ending at 4:30 p.m. You will need more than 30 minutes to fully enjoy the 400+ vehicles on display.
While the museum is closed to the public on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, the space can be rented for private events.
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How much is admission for Lemay–America’s Car Museum?

Tickets are available
online
or at the door. Here are the entry rates for a visit to Lemay’s:
  • Adults: $18
  • Seniors (age 65+): $16
  • Young Adult (ages 13-18): $14
  • Youth (ages 6-12): $10
  • Children (ages 5 and under): Free
  • Active Duty Military: $16
  • Parking: $5 per vehicle
The museum also offers
discounted rates for groups
of 10 or more as well as ticket packages that include Speed Zone tickets (usually $8) and store credit.
You can also purchase an America’s Automotive Trust (AAT) Membership (starting at $50 per year) which includes unlimited entry to America’s Car Museum and the America on Wheels Museum. 
Higher level memberships include other perks like reciprocal access to hundreds of other museums across the country. Check out their
website
for more information.

What else is going on at America’s Car Museum?

In addition to their rotating selection of exhibits, this Seattle car museum also hosts events, has rental spaces, and offers a handful of activities
The Speed Zone gives guests the opportunities to test their skills in a driving simulator or along a slot car track. The Family Zone offers a hands-on learning experience for the whole family. Their Powering the Future learning lab is an interactive exhibit that helps to teach visitors and students about the past and future of fuel and automotive technology.
The museum also hosts an abundance of unique events each month. Check out their
events calendar
to see what is coming up so you can plan your visit accordingly. 
Of course, the museum also has a gift shop so you can take home something to remember your visit or find a great gift for the car lover in your life. The gift shop has all sorts of fun and unique items suitable for the whole family, and is open during the museum’s regular hours of operation. 

How to find cheaper car insurance

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