Summer is finally here, and just 30 minutes south of Seattle, LeMay – America’s Car Museum in Tacoma is gearing up for a full slate of great summer activities suited for all ages. Though the Museum focuses the majority of its energy around cars, you don’t have to know how many cylinders are in your engine in order to enjoy their spectacular summer events.

The onslaught of happenings at the Museum begins this weekend with their annual Father’s Day Weekend. Historically, ACM has been a popular destination to take dad out for his special day. This year, ACM is cranking it up a notch on Father’s Day, Sunday June 16, with a car show hosted by popular automotive auction group Bring a Trailor, not to mention a collection of over 300 vehicles to explore inside the Museum, room for classic and collector car parking on the plaza, and huge discounts on memberships and merchandise in the store. The Museum will be livestreaming the 24 Hours of Le Mans race, and in honor of the historic event, are extending a 24% discount on all memberships when you gift or sign up. A museum membership is the perfect gift for the dad in your life who loves cars.

Coming shortly after Father’s Day weekend is ACM’s first Cruise-In of the summer on Thursday, June 20. The Museum’s Cruise-In Series is an annual series of grant funded summer car shows open to all ages, and all makes and models of cars. The event is free to attend for both spectators and those that wish to enter their car in the show. The Cruise-Ins aren’t just for gearheads though, these events also bring out a slew of local market-style vendors, food trucks, music, and a beer garden as well. Cruise-Ins at ACM truly are an event that everyone in the whole family can enjoy with all the different activities going on throughout the event. Their first Cruise-In on June 20 is Japanese and JDM car themed, playing off the wildly popular Shinka exhibit that is currently on display in the Museum’s premier Showcase Gallery on the top floor. If you can’t make it to the first Cruise-In at ACM on June 20, they have two more Cruise-In events scheduled throughout the rest of the summer on July 18, and August 15.

Following the first Cruise-In is the kick-off of the ever-popular Motors & Movies series on Friday, June 28. This traditional drive-in movie experience is geared towards families and those who love a great outdoor summer outing. This grant funded movie series allows for free access to these shows for all ages, no RSVP required. The movie showing takes place on the Museum’s 3.5 acre grass show field with a 40 foot blow up screen and professional sound to match.

You can even sit in your car and tune your radio to get the movie audio that way as well. On top of the movie showing, you will find lawn games, concessions, vendors like face painters and a movie-themed photobooth, and educational activities for children to enjoy before the movie begins at sunset. This year, the Museum will host three Motors & Movies events. The first on June 28 showing Fast & Furious Tokyo Drift, the second showing is on July 12 where you can travel back in time with Back to the Future 2, and the final movie wrapping up the summer will be on August 9 with Kung Fu Panda 4. 

ACM is also bringing back their beloved Cars & Cigars event on Saturday, August 3^rd as well. For those looking to take it up a notch, this high end, exhilarating event features a live band, signature cocktails, cigar smoking, hot rods, and great food all curated outside on the Museum’s front plaza with a fun Latin-inspired theme.

Rounding out the busy summer event season at ACM is their Family STEAM Days which happen every third Saturday of the month and are free for any Museum guests under the age of 18. Additionally, the Museum will be offering Take A Spins again this year, which allows you to get up close to some of the vintage vehicles in the collection and take a ride outside around the Museum’s campus.

To find more information about summer events at LeMay – America’s Car Museum, please visit americascarmuseum.org.