Hi all I'm heading down to LA with the family for a few days this weekend, and will be able to squeeze in a little 'dad time' in which I plan to visit either the NHRA museum or the Petersen... From what I can tell, the Petersen is a much bigger spectacle, but the Wally Parks NHRA seems a bit less overwhelming - particularly as I'll have my 8 and 11 year old daughters in tow. They're both pretty much equidistant from where I'm staying, and I can only go to one.. Any advice/recommendations/tips from anyone? Thanks in advance...
The Petersen is more child friendly with lots of inter-active kid stuff. NHRA is 85% drag racing, so it's a very focused venue. If your a huge drag guy, go there. If you jut like all cars and every type of car, then the Petersen is best. Where are you staying? Location?
That's exactly what I thought - on my own I'd do the NHRA, but Petersen looks like the kids could have more fun.. I'll be in Anaheim (for Disneyland).
The Peterson has a lot of interesting cars that are not really Hot Rods. Where as the NHRA is nothing but historical Hot Rods. It's kind of like, "Well look at that, Laurel & Hardy's folding car", verses," Oh my GOD, ISKY's roadster, and IVO's bucket T, WOW there's the Stones-Woods-and Cooks Willy's, and Mickey Thompsons blown and injected slant 2 cylinder". Plus if you see the NHRA, you can stop in at So-Cal speed shop nearby, and then Mooneyes in Santa Fe on the way back.
Well take traffic into consideration. Try going mid-morning and heading back by 3PM...it'll still be rough going. I'm sure you checked out both websites, so you get the drift. I'd do the Petersen because of the kids. Inside the museum is a Johnny Rockets diner that has good food, too. The NHRA is a very specialized type of museum, and it really is terrific, but as a family deal, you can't beat the Petersen. The parking lot entrance is off of Fairfax....let me know if you need more info.
Gotta agree with MAzooma. I brought my sweetheart who is NOT into cars, but puts up with me anyway. At the Peterson she was very interested in what she saw, but at the NHRA she just rolled her eyes at me a lot.
If you are at the Peterson consider also the La Brea Tar Pits that is only a couple of blocks away. Lots of skeletons of animals that fell into the tar over the last several thousand years. Charlie Stephens
If you get the chance, don't miss the NHRA Museum. It is family friendly, chuck full of our racing history from many greats whose name I'll never forget. Also there are other top quality Auto Collection Museums. If you can too, don't miss the Ford Station Wagon collection(woodies and all) down on the coast south of El Segundo. Normbc9
Petersens.. and you can always drop the wife and kids off at the Grove, just a couple blocks down the street, for shopping and a movie and you can take your time at the museum. Everyone will be happy.
Mazooma1 is right on the Pederson for the whole family, the hot wheels collection they have is great for kids and you will see a whole lot of neat stuff you like also.
Thanks all for the advice - exactly what I thought - NHRA if it was just me and my son, but probably Petersen because it's me and my girls. Maybe I could actually swing both with a bit of gentle persuasion.
Ok - did the peterson and it was exactly as expected - very good for the kids and dad. The Doane Spencer & McGee/Scritcfield alone are worth the $10 admission. Throw in the Doyle Gammel 3W and the Niekamp roadster and anything else is gravy. What was totally unexpected though was Arfons' Green Monster in the parking lot!
What is under the Peterson ..will blow your mind! It is extremely hard to get a pass to see these...I believe these are some of the cars they rotate with for museum exhibits. Regards, Guy
Are you serious? You gotta be kidding me? the "Outlaw" and the "Kookie" car? Sitting right there together? In the basement? Unbelievable! I want to go there and touch them both... for reals. I would love to be the caretaker of these icons/legends. You are right ...this blows my mind!
Keep in mind that the Kookie car is a recreation as the original is stuck in a garage in Ohio. Somewhere in that basement is the Frank Mack T from Detroit.
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