The National Corvette Museum is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky at Exit 28 off of I-65. The museum was opened in 1994 just down the street from the GM plant has been producing Corvette's since the early 1980's.
The museums hours are from 8 AM to 5 PM seven days a week. It is closed on New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Dec 24th through 25th.
Over 75 models of Corvettes and unique Corvette concept cars are on display in the 68,000 square foot National Corvette Museum along with scores of pictures, film and video footage and memorabilia. The one millionth Corvette assembled is among the vehicles at the plant.
On entering the museum guests are greeted by a car on a turntable, a position rotated among the museum collection cars depending upon specific events occurring or soon to occur at the museum.
After the entry one passes through the 200 seat theater which plays a 15 minute film on the history of this icon of American Sports cars that began to be produced in the 1950's. Special speakers and programs are occasionally scheduled in the theater.
The Nostalgia area features a mock up of heartland USA and the Corvettes of the 1950's. Another mock up exists of the St. Louis plant that produced Corvettes until 1981 when the facilities moved to Bowling Green.
One 80 foot diameter room is dedicated to the racing Corvettes and numerous race cars are on display here as well as views of some of the racing engines that powered these vehicles.
Another museum area displays the design process and prototype creation while in one room of the museum actual ordering and purchasing of Corvettes is taking place. In the atrium a line of new vehicles await their owners.
Personalities are also highlighted that have helped make Corvette into a coveted American brand.
The museum is located on a 52-acre property with an outdoor amphitheater, picnic grounds for visitors and ample parking facilities.
Tours of the Corvette Assembly Plant just down the road are also available.
Various Museum Membership plans exist with their own packages of benefits. All of the plans include discounts from the Corvette store and catalogue.
The National Corvette Museum store has a wide variety of souvenirs available from sunglasses, to blankets to car covers and more - all paying homage to the sports car the Museum honors.
The Museum is a not for profit organization however, in the end, the museum seeks to promote the sale of this sports car and accessories. However there is no commitment to make a purchase other than the small fee of admission when visiting the National Corvette Museum. The museum has been seeking contributions in order to expand the facilities.
