5 Ways to Enjoy the Kansas City Automotive Museum

When you visit Kansas City, take a detour from the main attractions to discover a hidden attraction in Olathe. The Kansas City Automotive Museum celebrates significant moments in Kansas City’s automotive history and features a stunning lineup of classic cars. This museum is a must-see for all who love cars and the history that goes with it. Here’s what to see and do at the Kansas City Automotive Museum.

Browse the Museum

There are more than 30 incredible classic cars and motorcycles on exhibit. All cars are on loan from private collectors and displays change every four to six months. The museum’s drive-in area features vehicles from a different car club every month. On the second floor, you’ll find the museum archives, a kid’s art studio, four driving simulators, and a screening room showing old TV commercials and car ads. It’s great for a family outing. The museum is small and takes approximately 30 minutes to walk through, so you can take your time and absorb every corner of it.

Take a Tour

On a group tour, you can relive the glorious past of the automobile as a guide takes you on a journey from the early days of motorized transport all the way up to the 1990s. You’ll learn lots of interesting tidbits of information on the history of the automobile in Kansas City. A tour costs $7 per person. Groups of 10 or more qualify for a discount. Car club tours and school group tours are also available.

Scouting Program

A wonderful local initiative is the museum’s scouts program. Girl and boy scouts can learn about cars in a fun and interactive way through the following programs:

• Pinewood/Powder Puff Derby that takes place in January. Kids get to race toy cars on a six-lane 44-foot Derby Magic Track.
• Badge/Pin Workshops invite scouts to go on a self-guided tour and fulfill certain requirements to receive a badge or pin.
• Overnight Program is a fun overnight stay where kids learn about Kansas City’s automotive history and spend the night in the interactive display area.

Attend an Event

The museum holds events from time to time. Cars & Coffee happens throughout the year on the first and third Saturday of every month, when visitors are treated to free donuts and coffee. A special “Breakfast With Santa” takes place at Cars & Coffee on Dec. 16. If you plan to visit Kansas City in April, you can attend the 4th Annual Dancing With The Cars on April 14. For $75, it’s a fun night with dancing, a buffet dinner, open bar, and live entertainment.

Host a Private Event

If you’re looking for a unique venue to host an event, this is a great option. All 12,000 square feet of museum space is available for a private event, meeting, or party. You have the choice of either cocktail layout or banquet-style setup that can accommodate 200 and 60 guests respectively.

The Kansas City Automotive Museum is located just off Interstate 35 on 116th St. in Olathe. Entry is $9 for adults, $8 for seniors and military personnel, $7 for students, and free for kids under five years old. Museum hours change seasonally, so call or visit their website for details.

This photo, “This is Ford Model A built in 1930,” by sumo4fun used under CC BY-ND 2.0. “This is Ford Model A built in 1930” is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0 by Olathe Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram.