A four-story ode to the auto, this is a treat even for those who can’t tell a piston from a crankshaft. Inside the museum's body of undulating bands of stainless steel on a hot-rod-red background are four gripping floors exploring the history, industry and artistry of motorized transportation. Regularly changing exhibitions highlight rare, classic and concept cars. The Cars of Film and Television gallery is just that. One floor is devoted to how cars are designed and built.
Start on the history floor (3rd floor), loaded with a regularly changing selection of classic and concept cars. In the Cars of Film and Television gallery you might see the DeLorean from Back to the Future, the Durango 95 from A Clockwork Orange and a Batmobile or two. The 2nd (industry) floor shows how it's done, including in a kids' section inspired by the movie Cars; there's a custom-built Lightning McQueen. The ground floor focuses on the art of the automobile, mostly in special exhibits.
What's the 4th floor? The basement vault of 100-plus rare and special cars, which can be visited by tour ($28 surcharge, age 10 and over only). Expect anything from Pope John Paul II's Popemobile to Fred Astaire's Rolls-Royce, complete with Louis Vuitton luggage.
Onsite parking is $17.
