Gilmore Car Museum
Gilmore Car Museum
5
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
The ever expanding Gilmore Car Museum, hailed as one of the Top Five car museums in the nation, features over nearly extraordinary cars and motorcycles from all eras. The Automotive Heritage Center (about 150 vehicles) is Open daily year-round. The outdoor park-like campus of historic buildings (including 1930s gas station, working 1940s diner and several exhibit sturctures)are open April - Novemember.Museum exhibits range from cars of the 1890s to the classic Duesenberg, the elusive 1948 Tucker, to the muscle cars of the ‘60s and ‘70s. Located just off M-43 at Hickory Road near Hickory Corners (20 minutes northeast of Kalamazoo, MI)
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  • Tom S
    Ypsilanti, Michigan191 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great car museum with lots to look at
    The "main" exhibits are in a series of connected buildings and were quite impressive. Then there are a series of "satellite" exhibits, many of which are devoted to a specific make of car-- e.g. Lincoln, Franklin, Pierce Arrow, in a other nearby buildings. (I walked about 8,000 steps during my visit.) A personal highlight: the amazing collection of hood ornaments! I spent about 4 hours there and could have spent longer.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 11 October 2023
  • ThomasTCat
    777 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A Walk Back in Time!
    We came to the Gilmore Car Museum in September for Model A Days, and had a fabulous time. There was so much to see and do; we can't wait to come back again because it isn't possible to do everything in one day. All the cars are kept in immaculate shape and they all shine like a mirror. So many buildings to go thru including Model A's in an old time dealership complete with a Parts Department. There were buildings dedicated to Lincolns, Pierce Arrows, motorcyles, and so much more. You can grab a bite to eat at the 1940's diner that is still in operation here at the museum. During Model A Days they were offering car rides in the Model A's and even in a Model A Firetruck. We watched as they worked to start up an unrestored Model A with success, and it was fun to see the visitors who dressed up in period costumes. We will certainly return!
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 11 November 2023
  • Broncogirl
    Streator, Illinois560 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great museum, Must see
    This museum is top notch, best and cleanest museum Iv been to so far.. cars are so clean and nice as well… Has multi out buildings you walk to and see cars as a female I was very impressed, I only went to take my bf and I enjoyed myself.. they do have a kid area they can build a small car and race it down a ramp ( inside main building) admission was reasonably I think $18-20 adult If you stop and look at every car you could spend a lot of time here. We were only there less than 2hrs and seen all we wanted to see.. The diner is only open in summer months. I wish we could drive out back to take photo ops with our cars but your not allowed to drive back by the diner or shell gas station ( you can walk inside the gas station ) They have a few newer sport cars and mostly older models.. I would say a must see..
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 10 February 2024
  • ashleygreeley
    6 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Pretty cool museum
    I’m not a car person at all but this was a cool museum. There is a large main building as well as several outbuildings with different themes of buildings. I would plan on spending at least 2-3 hours here. The buildings are air conditioned and the outdoor paths between buildings are paved and smooth.
    Visited June 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 7 June 2024
  • Jimbear
    Fenton, Missouri4,236 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Simply AMAZING!
    We just finished spending the last 2 days visiting this absolute GEM of an everything auto museum in Hickory Corners, MI, while on vacation. Please don't take our word for it. Just make plans to go too and be prepared to be blown away by this amazing facility and all it has to offer all kinds of visitors. OMG it is a true treasure. The best!
    Visited August 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 22 August 2024
  • scoll1111
    Pendleton, Indiana62 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Put your walking shoes on!!
    This car museum is touted as the largest car museum in the country. It is on a plat of land where the museum is made up of eight or more buildings each housing its own make of cars. They even have an authentic roadside diner that is a MUST stop for a bite. It is open from 9-6. We arrived at 10 and shut them down at 6. Well worth your time and money.
    Visited September 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 3 September 2024
  • Maskless G
    LaSalle, Canada5 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fantastic, Must-See Vehicle Collection
    Fantastic collection of vehicles. Some rare and one of a kind cars are in this collection. All vehicles have a detailed but concise description of the vehicle and its history. There is also an authentic, restored diner transported from New Jersey that serves food. There are multiple buildings on beautiful and well groomed grounds. A must visit for any auto enthusiast. It will take most of the day to get through the collection.
    Visited September 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 15 September 2024
  • Corey S
    Perrysburg, Ohio21 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fantastic auto museum, well with the stop!
    Fantastic car museum! Great collection of cars with extremely nice facilities. Our 17 month old enjoyed it for few hours (he likes cars) and then my wife and I enjoyed a slower pace as he napped for an addition hour or two. Could easily spend a day of you enjoy reading as you go! Highly recommend!
    Visited September 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 29 September 2024
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5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles684 reviews
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bobx77
Florida2,398 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022
I put Gilmore car museum in my GPS and drove on.
Only a few miles before my final destination I thought: there must be something wrong! I’m literally in the middle of nowhere.
But suddenly a huge complex appeared on the horizon.

So don’t be fooled by the boondocks:
This is the biggest car museum in the northern USA; some staff member told me.

Looking for a special car on display?
I’m pretty sure, you’ll find it here!

I spent the whole day in this museum and I regret not a single second of it!!

BTW:
Look for their schedules: they offer driving a real Ford Model T for a small amount.
I really loved doing this!!

All their staff (all volunteers (because it’s a non profit organization)) is most polite and helpful!!
Written 26 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jim G
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
June 2022 • Friends
This was an amazing time. Fantastic information and driving was great! This is a must for any new Model T owner.
Allow at least 2 additional hours for the museum because it is huge and the car collection is the best I’ve ever seen!
Written 25 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jim T
Indianapolis, IN2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2022
If this is one of the top five car museums in the country I want to see the other four! This place is fantastic. The best part might be the "story" about each car which is prominently displayed by sign boards near by. Many of the cars are so rare they left me in awe.

Want to see one of only 5 V16 Cadillacs ever built? One of only 48 Tuckers ever built (and o with less than 50 miles on it)? A Continental owned by a president of Ford Motor Co.? Duesenberg owned by Buster Keaton's son?

Some are painstakingly restored, others with the years' patina intact. Either way you will love them.

We used to visit this museum back in the 1960's and I can't believe how much it has grown. Anyone with even a remote interest in cars, or anyone who remembers cars of the past, will love this place.
Written 21 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Broncogirl
Streator, IL560 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Couples
This museum is top notch, best and cleanest museum Iv been to so far.. cars are so clean and nice as well…
Has multi out buildings you walk to and see cars as a female I was very impressed, I only went to take my bf and I enjoyed myself.. they do have a kid area they can build a small car and race it down a ramp ( inside main building)
admission was reasonably I think $18-20 adult
If you stop and look at every car you could spend a lot of time here. We were only there less than 2hrs and seen all we wanted to see..
The diner is only open in summer months.
I wish we could drive out back to take photo ops with our cars but your not allowed to drive back by the diner or shell gas station ( you can walk inside the gas station )
They have a few newer sport cars and mostly older models..
I would say a must see..
Written 10 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Amanda R
80 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2021 • Couples
This was our 2nd trip to the Gilmore (1st visit was November 2017), but this is a car museum that you can keep coming back to. The collection is extensive (7-10 buildings) and the collection rotates. This visit offered a few new "hands on" and "sit in the driver's seat" opportunities. There are many cars here that you are not going to see anywhere else. A working diner car gives the opportunity to spend the whole day on site. In the coming years, we hope to make it to the Gilmore for one of summer car shows.
Written 15 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

SAMT2002
Chicago, IL77 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
June 2021
The Gilmore is a world-class museum of American Automobiles. What makes this museum different, is their partnership with various automobile clubs and organizations who help to make this a unique and wonderful experience. I can't recommend this place enough.
Written 20 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Douglas G
Fort Wayne, IN108 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2021
Drove two hours to see this place after a recommendation from the volunteer coordinator at the car museum where I work. Worth every minute. Everything for a car enthusiast with a wide variety. My only disappointment was the Classic Car Museum section was closed when I was there. Spent about three hours there and felt like I hurried through. There are two restaurants on site and only one was open (result of COVID) but the food at Blue Moon Diner was good and reasonably priced. I look forward to a return trip later to see what I missed. Located out of the way but worth the effort.
Written 25 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

DonnaS
Dayton, OH72 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
July 2021
This was quite a surprise. I've been to the Henry Ford Museum in Deerfield several times and held this as a gold standard of capturing the rich history of cars. The Gilmore Museum's concept is a completely different design, but no less impactful.

A large campus, but is easy to navigate when planning your visit. My recommendation is to check their event calendar and schedule your visit when a special display is happening. We were participants in the recent Celebration of Brass and there were dozens of personally-owned pre-1920 cars on the field on display. A first time event for our group that we hope to repeat next year.

Even without our brass cars on the field, there is so much to see here that you won't find anywhere else, even at the Ford Museum.
Written 25 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Leonard S
Orchard Lake, MI76 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022 • Couples
Remote park-like setting mid way between Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids and Battle Creek, Michigan. Over 90 acres beautifully landscaped with many structures housing interesting and rare cars of recent and remote vintage, all in mint condition. Particularly enjoyed the exhibit that contained every Corvette model ever manufactured beginning with the C1 in 1953 all the way through the most recent C8. They have the 26th example of the C1 production run. The diner was especially quaint, An actual 1941 diner transported from the East Coast and restored. Great chicken salad and apple pie. Or take a ride around the grounds in the backseat of a 1972 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham convertible or in the rumble seat of a 1930s car. 1958 Edsel? Got it!1959 DeSoto? You bet! Not particularly easy to get to, but well worth it, as you’ll drive through some beautiful Michigan country. If you have any interest in automotive history this will be a very worthwhile visit. Highly recommended
Written 5 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Robin L
Oxford, PA10 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022
We visited the museum on an afternoon when we had a few hours to fill. Our son is in an automotive program currently, and we thought he'd enjoy seeing the cars. Even I enjoyed the museum and I know nothing about cars. I enjoyed reading about the history of the gorgeous vehicles on display. I wished we had more time to visit!
Written 7 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Gilmore Car Museum - All You MUST Know Before You Go (2024)

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