Have you ever considered visiting the LeMay Car Museum in Tacoma and asked yourself:
- Is the LeMay Car Museum engaging for someone who isn’t a car fanatic?
- Would my children, even the young ones, enjoy a car museum visit?
- Is a trip to the LeMay Car Museum truly worth the time?
- Besides just cars, what else does the LeMay Car Museum offer?
These were exactly the questions swirling in my mind before my first visit. I wasn’t sure what to expect. My main concern was whether my toddler would be able to resist touching the exhibits, leading to an awkward museum moment.
However, on a day when indoor activities were a must, we decided to give it a try. To our surprise, it was a hit with everyone! This initial visit happened in 2019 when my eldest was almost four and my youngest was just one.
Since then, my older son has frequently asked to return to the “car place.” It took until late 2021 for us to make a second trip due to the pandemic. On our return, my older son was five, and my younger one was three, and the museum was just as captivating the second time around.
Ideal Ages for Visitors
My youngest child’s visit was when he had just turned three, and he had a fantastic time. While it might depend on your child’s personality, based on my experience, children around 2.5 years and older should find plenty to enjoy at the museum. Babies are also quite manageable as they can simply ride along in strollers.
Honestly, I intentionally avoided museums during the challenging phase when kids are too mobile for strollers but not quite ready to follow museum etiquette – you know, that “runs off and touches everything” stage, typically from around 16 months to two years.
The LeMay Car Museum is truly an outing for all ages. Grandparents, parents, and children alike will find something to appreciate. The museum is also accessible for strollers and wheelchairs.
Visit Duration
During our visits, we typically spent around 1.5 hours at the museum. Car enthusiasts could easily spend much longer, but for those of us with a more casual interest in automobiles, this timeframe felt just right.
Regarding repeat visits, the museum does rotate exhibits, ensuring there’s always something new to see. Unless you are an avid car collector visiting frequently, a yearly visit should still offer a fresh and enjoyable experience.
Location and Parking Details
Address: 2702 East D Street, Tacoma, WA 98421
While not directly at the Tacoma Dome, the museum’s dome-like structure and proximity to the Tacoma Dome area make it easily recognizable.
Parking is conveniently located at the front of the museum and is metered. The $5 three-hour parking option is usually sufficient, but for a more relaxed visit, the $10 six-hour option is available. It’s also advisable to check for events at the Tacoma Dome, which might affect parking availability.
For a post-museum meal, we recommend Camp Colvos for delicious pizza, located a short drive away.
Exploring the Museum
The museum features four levels filled with an impressive array of vehicles. The entry level houses the gift store and a featured exhibit. Ramps lead you down to the different exhibit floors, showcasing everything from vintage classics to modern marvels, service vehicles, military automobiles, motorcycles, and even vehicles reminiscent of the Flintstones! The ramps themselves are designed to be engaging, with vehicles displayed along the sides.
One notable area is “Lucky’s Garage”, inspired by Harold E. LeMay’s collection. LeMay, the museum’s founder, once held the Guinness World Record in 1997 for the largest privately owned car collection globally.
As you explore further, you’ll encounter exhibits dedicated to British cars, Route 66, and various other collections, offering a comprehensive overview of automotive history and design.
Kid-Friendly Attractions
Children will find plenty to love at the LeMay Car Museum. The sheer variety of cars is captivating, but the highlight for younger visitors is the “family zone”. This area is packed with interactive exhibits, including a car ramp where kids can test their own car designs, experimenting with weights to see how they affect speed. There’s also a US map with train and car tracks, and car simulators for imaginative play. A simplified car frame display helps illustrate basic automotive mechanics.
The “speed zone” offers slot car racing and CXC racing simulators (these have separate fees). The slot cars were a particular hit with my kids and were easy enough for even my younger son to enjoy with a little assistance.
Pre-pandemic, there were family photo opportunities in a car, which may return in the future. A small theater is also available, though we haven’t yet spent much time watching its presentations.
Final Thoughts and Your Experiences
We are already planning our next visit to the LeMay Car Museum. It’s an excellent venue for entertaining out-of-town guests, especially during the colder months, or just for a spontaneous day trip. Have you visited the LeMay Car Museum? We’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below!
