Automotive Fun for All Ages!
Discovery Center
2nd Floor
Rob Walton
Discovery Center
Events and activities are subject to change without notice.
Step into the Discovery Center at the Petersen Automotive Museum—where creativity, play, and learning come together for all ages! Explore our hands-on Maker Space, featuring new themes every day that inspire imagination and innovation. Build, test, and race your own creations on our interactive tracks, or dive into captivating automotive stories with our curated collection of books.
We're open every day from 10 AM to 5:30 PM, so swing by and join the fun! Be sure to check out our schedule for upcoming interactive activities that'll take your Discovery Center experience to the next level. Get ready to rev your engines and make memories that'll last a lifetime!
Discovery Center Maker’s Space
Welcome to the Maker’s Space—where creativity takes the driver’s seat! This hands-on area invites guests of all ages to explore, design, and build using a variety of materials and prompts inspired by the world of cars and beyond. Whether you're stopping by for a quick activity or settling in to create something unique, there’s always something new to discover.
We offer daily themed challenges to spark imagination and keep ideas flowing all week long:
Monday Masterpieces – Get creative with art projects.
Tinker Tuesday – Explore hands-on science and building.
Build Day Wednesdays – Construct, build, and create with different materials.
Throwback Thursday – Go back in time with the museum.
Exhibit Explorer Friday – Discover and learn with our exhibits as inspiration.
Weekend Wonders – Get inspired by seasonal themes and upcoming holidays to make something amazing.
In addition to our daily themes, don’t miss our Mystery Box Challenge! Choose a box filled with surprise materials and use your imagination to create something based on a fun prompt. There’s no right or wrong way to build—just let your creativity lead the way. Once you’re done, you can take your creation home or add it to our community display for others to admire!
Featured Pit Stop Discovery: Parade Floats
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Featured Reading Roadster Activity: “I have a dream.” Clouds
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See the Discovery Center, hundreds of incredible vehicles and more at the Petersen Museum.
Museum Tickets
Current Exhibits
Explore all the current automotive-focused exhibits at the Petersen Automotive Museum!