Aaron Widmar
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[Photos] Honda Heritage Center Visitor Experience and Review

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Why this free Honda museum is worth a drive to see!

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Visit the Honda Heritage Center in Marysville, Ohio

4 out of 5 stars rating

 

 

At the conclusion of 2014, in the midst of a snow-filled winter, the Honda Assembly Plant in Marysville, Ohio launched an on-site museum dedicated to the legacy of the Japanese brand. Named the Honda Heritage Center, the $35 million facility opened to the public in January, though few Ohioans braved the blizzards to visit the facility initially.

As the weather has gradually become more pleasant, more visitors are finding their way to the Honda Heritage Center, including myself. I had the pleasure of touring the center this past weekend and, based on my review of the experience, encourage you to visit too.

Honda Heritage Center: Visitor Information

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Located at 24025 Honda Parkway in Marysville, Ohio (northwest of Columbus), the Honda Heritage Center sits across from Gate A of the town’s manufacturing plant. Nestled behind a picturesque pond, the 160,000-square-foot facility is flanked by an adjacent parking lot.

Parking and admission to the center are free and photography is encouraged.

Visitors are strongly encouraged to schedule visitations in advance by calling 937-644-6888. Appointment times which are offered include Tuesdays and Thursdays at noon; Wednesdays and Fridays at 9am, 10am, and noon; and, Saturdays at 9am, 10am, and 11am. Tours of the museum are self-guided and take approximately an hour-and-a-half. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. When arriving, go through the main doors and check in with the desk on your left.

For more information, visit the official website.

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Use the touchscreen to tell this robot what to do

Honda Heritage Center: Background and Highlights

Since 1979, the Honda Assembly Plant in Marysville, Ohio has produced over 20 million vehicles, starting with a few motorcycles before launching the 1983 Accord.

A wide variety of machines are on display in the giant glass building: a collection of classic Honda and Acura automobiles, the N420HA HondaJet, 1971 N600, 2013 Rancher ATV, U3-X mobile chair, Miimo robotic lawnmower, the last Gold Wing motorcycle produced at the plant, concept vehicles, and motors from many different models.

Despite there being a lot of “Do Not Touch” signs everywhere, a number of hands-on exhibits encourage visitors to experience Honda’s legacy in a fun way:

  • A robotic assembly simulation machine can be manipulated using a set of controls
  • A sliding screen shows an inside look at the 2011 Honda Odyssey
  • Two 3D virtual driving simulators with surround sound

You can’t tour the factory itself, but you can get a glimpse of the engineering center through a glass wall.

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Experience a 3D racing simulator game

Honda Heritage Center: My Review

The Honda Heritage Center is much more than a simple museum with bland displays. The types and varieties of innovations on display will interest most visitors, including those who aren’t interested in automobiles. This is especially true of the unique robotic inventions like Miimo and Asimo.

The amount of information posted is adequate: not too much but just enough. The friendly staff is eager to answer questions for those looking for more information that what’s posted. Video footage and candid photos provide an inside look at the Honda family, for those wanting a more insightful, personal experience.

The facility doesn’t have a gift shop, which is a bit disappointing, as other similar facilities have them to offer branded products.

Overall, the Honda Heritage Center is well-worth your time and money (being a free experience) but isn’t worth a long drive only for this purpose. If you’re in the area, make reservations and enjoy a memorable look at the Honda legacy in the United States!