Discover the wonders of the Volo Museum in Illinois. Classic cars, unique exhibits, and family fun await!
What to Expect
Below we will go over the key points of the Volo Museum in Volo, IL and give you tips. Our goal is to help you save time and money. We did the leg work so you did not have to. See if this expansive classic car museum and entertainment destination is right for your next Midwest adventure. I have also included walk through videos from our visit.
Volo Museum Location
The Volo Museum is located in Volo, Illinois, about an hour North of Chicago and an hour South of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This is also the location of the Volo Village Auto Sales.
Address:
27582 Volo Village Rd
Volo, IL 60073
Volo Museum Hours
Hours:
Open daily
Summer Hours (Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend) Sunday – Friday 10AM to 6PM and Saturday 10AM to 7PM
Winter Hours 10 AM to 5 PM
NO ADMITTANCE AFTER 4:00. CLOSED EASTER, THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS. CLOSED EARLY CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS EVE
Volo Museum Prices
Admission prices: –
Regular Admission (Ages 13-64)…$22.95
Child Admission (Ages 5-12)…$12.95
Senior Admission (Ages 65 and up)…$20.95
Military…$20.95
4 and under…FREE
What to Expect at the Volo Museum
The Volo Museum, Volo Antique Mall and Volo Auto Mall have soooo many things to see. It is crazy how much stuff they have. There is Titanic memorabilia, animatronic dinosaurs, classic cars, cars featured in some of your favorite movies, trains, planes, tractors, a carousel and, well, you will have to see for yourself. There is over 30 exhibits!
Visit Highlights and Tips
- Tickets – Tickets can be purchased online and in person. You will still need to go to the ticket counter to get a bracelet. That is your pass and will be used to be scanned to get into the museum. You do not need tickets for the antique mall, that is free and in separate buildings.
- Time – Hours are 10-5 and no entrance past 4PM. Try to get here at opening so you get the full time, you will need it.
- Clothing/Shoes/Backpack/Purse – Most of the museum is indoors but you will have to exit the building to get to the next. Dress accordingly. Walking shoes are a good choice. There are benches along the way for breaks and occasionally you can find an outlet in case you need to charge your phone.
- Food/Picnic – There is food available. Pizza, nachos, hot dogs etc. Picnic tables outside if you bring your own food. That is what I would recommend since the food is a little pricey. They also offer drinks, adult beverages and ice cream.
- Pets – No pets, aside from service animals, are allowed.
- Parking – There is plenty of free parking. A portion is paved, the rest is grass and gravel.
- Accessibility – Most of the museum is wheelchair accessible. Though there are some areas that are not. Handicap bathrooms can be found throughout. Wheelchair and scooter rentals are available at the entrance of the building.
- Babies – Changing tables are available. Strollers/wagons up to 31 inches wide and 52 inches long are ok.
Brief History of the Volo Museum
In 1960, the Grams family acquired a 110-year-old, non-operational dairy farm, envisioning it as their home. The plan included transforming the rundown barn into a resale shop. Teenage sons Greg and Bill, passionate about cars, spent their free time scouring the area for old cars. Despite having no money, they worked on their finds after family business hours.
With a growing collection of around a dozen unrestored cars, the brothers caught the attention of their first customer. Though not intending to sell, they accepted an offer, realizing the potential for profit in old cars. This marked the beginning of their business, the “Volo Auto Museum.”
Over the years, the museum evolved from a basic barn to a 35-acre attraction, drawing half a million visitors annually worldwide. The Grams family’s commitment to reinvesting profits back into the museum, rather than personal gain, sustains its collections.
Currently, three generations of the Grams family manage the museum, eagerly anticipating future generations to continue the family tradition. And the museums’ attractions keep growing.
Visiting the Volo Museum
There are two different entrances. Both lead to the main museum. If you enter though the south entrance you will pass the antique malls, consisting of 4 buildings. Entering the West entrance, you will head South and the museum entrance will be on your left behind the playground.
When you enter the building, head to the left and go to the ticket counter (restrooms are on the right). Grab a map, it will come in handy. Once you get your ticket/band you enter the gift shop on the right. Through here you can enter the museum. The cafeteria is also here in the main building.
You will need your band to scan through the turnstile. Once in you have access to 5 showrooms and the rest of the buildings. There is a Titanic exhibit that is extra and so is the Jurassic area.
There are arrows that will help guide you through the different buildings. After each one you will have to walk outdoors to get to the next building. There are benches and areas to relax outside.
Outside of the museum there is a put-put course and Jurassic Gardens, both are located near the playground.
Special events take place throughout the year. Most recently is the Christmas event, the Time Warp Express. You can have your party here, have an afterhours access, and special sensory time.
Now let’s get more in-depth!
Volo Auto Museum Tickets
They offer a few different ticket choices and combos.
Combo options
The Ultimate Combo
Access to the Volo Museum, Jurassic Gardens and the Titanic Exhibit
This pass is good for two consecutive days.
Admission prices: –
Regular Admission (Ages 13-64)…$49.90
Child Admission (Ages 5-12)…$39.90
Senior Admission (Ages 65 and up)…$47.90
Military…$47.90
4 and under…FREE
The Combo Pass
Access to the Volo Museum and Jurassic Gardens
This pass is good for two consecutive days.
Admission prices: –
Regular Admission (Ages 13-64)…$34.95
Child Admission (Ages 5-12)…$24.95
Senior Admission (Ages 65 and up)…$32.95
Military…$32.95
4 and under…FREE
day pass options
Volo Museum 1 Day Pass
Access to the Volo Museum only. Only is not a good way to describe it. This gives you access to the Vintage Cars building, the Hollywood cars building, TV & Bizarre cars building, the Treasures of the Vault building, the Military experience, transportation museum, tractor exhibit and more.
Admission prices: –
Regular Admission (Ages 13-64)…$22.95
Child Admission (Ages 5-12)…$12.95
Senior Admission (Ages 65 and up)…$20.95
Military…$20.95
4 and under…FREE
Jurassic Gardens 1 Day
An animatronic dinosaur walk through
Admission prices: –
Admission…$15.95
4 and under…FREE
Titanic One Time Pass
See Titanic memorabilia and learn more about the history of this tragic event. Tickets are timed.
Admission prices: –
Admission…$19.95
Member…$14.95
Add on to any ticket…$14.95
4 and under…FREE
Yearly
Membership
There are a few membership options available. If you are considering it I think it is worth it. The museum is always adding to their collection, and you can get member perks.
You can do just Jurassic Garden, just the museum, individual options as well as family options. You can get them online but is a bit confusing. Check out these options in person. I would suggest going through the museum and make sure it is something that you really enjoy. If it is and you want to come back often, then get the membership. The admission price you paid will be discounted from the membership cost. Individual membership starts at $60.
After we toured a couple of the buildings and ran out of time, we knew we would want the membership. This place is right up our alley and only an hour drive, so, it seemed like a no brainer for us.
Now let’s dive into the building and collections.
Buildings and Collections
Building 1: Vintage Cars
The Classic Auto Museum where the Collector Car Sales Office is located, Volo cars for sale! You walk through isles of classic and collector cars that you can purchase. There is also a jukebox exhibit. You get to the Military experience though building 1.
Bathrooms are in the back.
The Military Experience
You walk through military displays and scenes to a huge collection of memorabilia. Head back into building 1 to continue the tour to building 2
Building 2: Hollywood cars
Inside is TV and movie cars, more classic cars for sale, vintage ad display and a photo op in an Indy Racecar. When you exit this building make sure to check out the finned boats that are on display on the outside of the building.
No restroom
Building 3: TV & Bizarre Cars
More TV and movie cars, even more classic cars for sale, Bizarre cars, snowmobiles and crime and punishment. The Crime and Punishment/Torture Chamber is an additional cost. You can purchase tokens for this outside the exhibit entrance.
No restroom
At the back of building 3 is the Evolution of Travel and Lodging, or the Transportation Museum.
Building 4: Treasures of the Vault
Flintstones photo op, kids themed cars, Disney displays, vintage arcade and animatronics,
Bathrooms are in the back of this building.
Across from building 4 is the Carousel and Music Hall and beside that is the antique tractor exhibit.
The Antique Mall can take the whole day. This place is huge and more than 1 story high.
Where to Eat near Volo
Fratellos Hot Dogs –Italian Beef and Chicago style hot dogs
31682 N US Hwy 12
Volo, IL 60073
https://fratelloshotdogs.com/
Los dos primos Mexicanos
103 Rand Rd
Lakemoor, IL 60051
Lakemoor Diner
220 Rand Rd
Lakemoor, IL 60051
Grandma’s Wine Bar & Deli
28924 IL-120
Lakemoor, IL 60051
Where to Stay Near Volo
If you are not local or just want to be closer for day two of the Volo Museum, here are some options.
Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort – RV and tent camping as well as rentals. Lake, pool, kiddie pool, boat rentals and more. Looks like a fun place to stay.
32223 N US Hwy 12
Volo, IL 60073
https://www.fishlakebeach.com/
Waterfront Hotel and Marina- Just that, a hotel and marina
3309 N Chapel Hill Rd
Johnsburg, IL 60051
http://www.waterfronthotelandmarina.com/
Cherry Tree Inn B&B – A little out of the way but this is a famous and Historic Bed and Breakfast. Bill Murray stayed in Groundhog Day.
344 Fremont St
Woodstock, IL 60098
https://cherrytreeinnbnb.com/
Randolph Hotel – Adult only Resort and Hostel with an on-site brewery
115 Nippersink Rd
Fox Lake, IL 60020
https://www.therandolphhotel.com/
Other Things to do Near Volo
Dunn Museum – Learn about local fossils and ancient people, there are also rotating exhibits sometimes featuring dinosaurs.
1899 W Winchester Rd
Libertyville, IL 60048
https://www.lcfpd.org/museum/
Moraine Hills State Park – 2,200 acre glacier-formed park. Woods, hiking, playground, dog friendly
1510 S River Rd
McHenry, IL 60051
https://dnr.illinois.gov/parks/park.morainehills.html
Kristof’s Entertainment Center – Indoor-outdoor recreation spot with mini-golf, go-karts, batting cages & arcade plus food & a bar.
421 W Rollins Rd
Round Lake Beach, IL 60073
http://www.kristofs.net/
Children’s Neighborhood Museum – Round Lake Area Park District
814 Hart Rd
Round Lake, IL 60073
https://www.rlapd.org/childrens-neighborhood-museum
Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort – RV and tent camping as well as rentals. Lake, pool, kiddie pool, boat rentals and more. Looks like a fun place to stay.
32223 N US Hwy 12
Volo, IL 60073
https://www.fishlakebeach.com/
Hope you have as much fun at the Volo Museum as we did! And if you like this, check out the House on the Rock!
Thanks for reading, glad you were here!
