Gilmore Car Museum

Museum Extensive automobile museum featuring rare classic cars

The Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners assembles hundreds of vintage and classic automobiles across themed pavilions; car enthusiasts visit for curated collections, restoration exhibits and periodic automotive events.

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The Gilmore Car Museum is an automotive museum located near Hickory Corners in southwest Michigan, organized as a multi-building campus that showcases an extensive collection of historic automobiles. The site brings together several specialized exhibit spaces on a landscaped property and is known for its breadth of American and international vehicles.

Collections span early motoring through mid- and late-20th-century classics and custom vehicles, presented in thematic pavilions and special exhibitions. The museum hosts public events and rotating displays that highlight automotive culture, restoration and period design.

The institution was developed through the efforts of collectors and local supporters to preserve and interpret automotive history; the campus has grown with multiple facility additions to house specialized collections and traveling exhibits. It functions both as a museum complex and as an event venue for car shows and educational programming.

The museum is located near the village of Hickory Corners in southwest Michigan; it is accessible by road from nearby regional centers and serves as a destination for automobile enthusiasts across the Midwest.

  • Collection size: The museum occupies a large, multi-building campus and displays several hundred vintage and collector automobiles across indoor pavilions and outdoor lots.

What to See #

  • Exhibit pavilions: Multiple exhibit pavilions and themed galleries that present vehicles by era, manufacturer and body style across a campus setting of restored buildings.
  • Service & interpretation areas: Historic service buildings and interpretive displays that explain automotive technology, restoration and the regional car-collecting history.
  • Event spaces: Event spaces used for rotating shows, car rallies and public programs held throughout the year on the museum campus.
Gilmore Car Museum
6865 Hickory Rd, Hickory Corners, MI 49060, USA
42.4417, -85.4036
Daily 9:30am-5pm
Adult $18 (discounts for seniors/youth; children under 5 free)

How to Get to Gilmore Car Museum #

The Gilmore Car Museum is in Hickory Corners, Michigan, in a rural area between Kalamazoo and Battle Creek. It’s primarily reached by car via regional highways (I‑94, US‑131 and connecting state roads); from the Kalamazoo area expect roughly a 20-30 minute drive depending on exact start point. The museum has on-site parking; public transit options are very limited, so driving is the most practical way to reach it.

Tips for Visiting Gilmore Car Museum #

  • Allow several hours - the Gilmore is a multi-building campus, so plan time to walk between pavilions rather than expecting a quick stop.
  • Check the museum's event calendar before you visit: large car shows and special exhibits change traffic, parking and which buildings are open to the public.
  • If you prefer fewer crowds, target weekday mornings; weekends, especially during events, draw large numbers of visitors and collectors.

Best Time to Visit Gilmore Car Museum #

For the quietest visit, go on a weekday outside the summer event season; if you want events and outdoor activities, visit in summer.

Summer and event season
June-August · N/A (indoor)
Busiest time due to special events, car shows and better travel weather; plan for higher visitor numbers on weekends.
Spring and autumn
April-May, September-October · N/A (indoor)
Moderate attendance and pleasant travel conditions - good times to visit if you prefer fewer crowds than summer.
Late autumn-winter
November-March · N/A (indoor)
Lowest visitor levels; galleries are quieter and easier to browse though some seasonal events are not running.

Weather & Climate near Gilmore Car Museum #

Climate

Gilmore Car Museum's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Continental - Hot-Summer Continental climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -9°C to 28°C. Moderate rainfall (907 mm/year).

Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
29°
Warmest Month
-9°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of -1°C and lows of -9°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm).

Comfort

-5°
Feels Like Freezing
-5°C
Temperature
-9° -1°

Weather

48 mm
Rainfall
4.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

February

February is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -9°C. Moderate rainfall (39 mm).

Comfort

-4°
Feels Like Freezing
-4°C
Temperature
-9°

Weather

39 mm
Rainfall
4.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

March

March is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-4°

Weather

62 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

April

April is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (85 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
14°

Weather

85 mm
Rainfall
4.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

May

May is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (85 mm).

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
21°

Weather

85 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

June

June is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 13°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm).

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
13° 26°

Weather

95 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 28°C and lows of 16°C. Regular rainfall (87 mm).

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
16° 29°

Weather

87 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

August

August is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 15°C. Regular rainfall (91 mm).

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
15° 27°

Weather

91 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm

September

September is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 10°C. The wettest month with 100 mm of rain.

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
10° 23°

Weather

100 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

October

October is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm).

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cool
10°C
Temperature
16°

Weather

72 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

November

November is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (75 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°

Weather

75 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

December

December is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -6°C. Moderate rainfall (68 mm).

Comfort

-2°
Feels Like Freezing
-2°C
Temperature
-6°

Weather

68 mm
Rainfall
4.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

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