If you’ve ever wondered what it was like to have a rich, mysterious uncle with a lust for collecting random American memorabilia, you can live out that fantasy at the American Treasure Tour Museum in Oak, PA.
What exactly is this place? It’s kind of hard to describe. It’s one part walk-through museum showcasing toys, cars, and appliances from over the last 100+ years. It’s also a guided tour (by tram) through massive signage, self-playing organs, store window displays, and more.
The American Treasure Tour Museum is something you need to see in person. And maybe multiple times, since you will definitely see something you hadn’t on a previous visit.
If I’ve convinced you to go (which I think you should), let me share more about what to expect and how to plan your visit.
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A Little History About the American Treasure Tour Museum
There is an air of mystery around the American Treasure Tour Museum! It opened in 2010 inside an old BF Goodrich tire factory (which closed in 1986). The museum occupies about 100,000 square feet on the second floor of the building
The mysterious part about the museum is that the owner remains anonymous at his request. There are millions of items in his collection, and he is graciously sharing them with the public.
Prepare For Your Visit to the American Treasure Tour Museum
Location and Parking
The American Treasure Tour Museum is located in Oaks, PA, near the Greater Philadelphia Expo Fairgrounds. It’s one of our favorite places to visit in Montgomery County and isn’t too far from popular attractions like Valley Forge National Historical Park and Elmwood Park Zoo.
Plenty of FREE parking is available right outside the entrance. You’ll enter the building, which feels like you’re walking into an abandoned mall, walk through another set of doors, and then head right up the stairs to the museum.
Admission
It is recommended to buy your tickets and reserve your spot on the tram in advance. You can try to buy walk-in tickets, but the trams can only hold a certain number of people, so you might be turned away or have to wait longer for the next tram.
Admission is $18 for ages 16-64, $12 for kids under 16, and $15 for military and seniors 65 and older. The ticket includes access to the museum’s walk-through portion and the tram ride.
Hours
As of publication, the American Treasure Tour Museum is open Friday and Saturday, 10 am to 8 pm, and Sunday and Monday, 10 am to 5 pm.
Tram tours leave every half hour, starting at 10:30 am and ending at 4:30 pm on Sundays and Mondays, and at 6:30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. They recommend you arrive at the museum at least 30 minutes before your reserved tram time.
Inside the American Treasure Tour Museum
Music Room
The Music Room is where you’ll check in for your tour. But while you wait, take the time to walk around and enjoy the treasures in the room.
Make sure to stop and listen to the self-playing pianos. They each take a turn as the star of the show!
The music room is more than just music. In this room, you’ll find old dollhouses, telephones, and an assortment of knick-knacks and photographs.
Classic Car Exhibit
The Classic Car room is where you’ll pick up the tram for your ride. But before or after your tour, you can peruse the many automobiles inside. One of them even has a bullet hole!
Surrounding the cars are more collectibles like bicycles, movie posters, and large toys.
The Tram Tour
The only way to see the extensive collection in the American Treasure Tour Museum is to hop on the tram.
The slow tram ride is about 45 minutes long and drives through a 75,000-square-foot “Toy Box,” as they refer to it.
It’s hard to describe everything you’ll see on the tram tour. But some of the big items are a carousel, working Wurlitzer Organs, huge store signs, a big slinky, and several dolls and figures.
It’s something you need to see in person!
Gift Shop
Inside the Music Room is a small gift shop area where you can purchase some classic toys.
American Treasure Tour Museum Wrap-Up
As said above, the American Treasure Tour Museum is something everyone needs to see at least once in their lives!
This museum is a testament to American pop culture, featuring classic items from over 100 years ago up to the present day. It showcases some of the best (and worst) marketing over the years and brings up memories from your childhood (or even your parents’ or grandparents’ childhoods).
If you have a love for all things nostalgia or want to share some pieces of your childhood with your kids, you’ll want to take the time to visit this awesome place.
Other Things to Do Nearby
The American Treasure Tour Museum is right next door to Arnold’s Family Fun Center. You can ride go-karts or play laser tag before or after reminiscing about the “good ol’ days”.
It’s not far from Valley Forge National Historical Park and Elmwood Park Zoo. It’s also a short drive from one of the most unique attractions in Montgomery County, Ott’s Exotic Plants.
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