:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/TAL-lead-petersen-automotive-museum-1956-ferrari-berlinetta-AUTOMUSEUMS1125-82ff02f7ebe34cb9b0eff7ce793a9825.jpg "8 Best Car Museums in the U.S.")
You don’t have to be a car enthusiast to know that the world of automobiles is rich in history and stories of innovation, technological advancements, and fascinating design. Since the 1890s, the industry has grown, shifted, and adapted to meet user needs and preferences—and there’s nowhere better to see and understand this evolution than at an automobile museum. Luckily for American travelers, the country is home to dozens of them, each with its own unique collection and story to tell. Below, with the help of two experts in all things automotive, we put together a list of the best car museums in the U.S.
Petersen Automotive Museum, Los Angeles
Petersen Automotive Museum
According to Amelia Dalgaard of Motorhead Mama, the Petersen Automotive Museum is a great stop for the entire family. “This glamorous building—the rooftop parking offers some of L.A.’s best views—is located on Museum Row, near the L.A. County Museum of Art and the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures,” she says. “The Pete is also one of the few museums in the world that is truly diverse (everything from motorsports to low riders), the kids’ section is fantastic, and for those who want to splurge, upgrade your ticket to include The Vault.” Within The Vault, you’ll find more than 300 rare cars, trucks, and motorcycles from the last 120 years or so. Automotive reporter Kendra Sommer, also a fan of the museum, adds that visitors should check out the “Totally Awesome!” exhibit on ‘80s and ‘90s car culture.
Orlando Auto Museum, Orlando, Florida
ZUMA Press, Inc./Alamy
“If you’re a fan of cinema, television, and horsepower, the Orlando Auto Museum is a must. I’m a gearhead, so I liked this more than our day at Disney World,” says Sommer. “This facility has over 2,000 cars worth around $200 million. It’s hard to pick a specific display to discuss, because this museum is packed full of screen-used vehicles from the James Bond franchise, the Fast & Furious movies, and even a Volkswagen Golf that was previously owned by the now Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton.” There are more than 20 themed rooms throughout the museum, so there’s something to capture anyone’s interest.
Lane Motor Museum, Nashville
Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp.
“Home to the most extensive European automobile collection in the U.S., the Lane is way more than just a car museum,” says Dalgaard. “It has all the weird and wacky motorcycles, bicycles, three-wheelers, and even airplanes.” As you walk around, you’ll get a glimpse of models dating all the way back to the early 1900s—like the A.B.C. from 1922, the Aero 18 from 1931, and a three-wheeled B.S.A. car from 1933.
Volo Museum, Volo, Illinois
ChicagoPhotographer/Shutterstock
“The Volo Museum is about an hour outside of Chicago and is a perfect day out for the whole family. There’s a little something here for everyone,” says Sommer. “Let’s start with the Titanic exhibit, which is centered around a 1912 Renault Type CB Coupe de Ville. This car is one of two; the sister vehicle went down with the Titanic in 1912.” For those more interested in the movies, check out the Disney gallery, featuring one of the oldest Disney parade vehicles in existence, and the Hollywood collection. The latter exhibit includes the 2014 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, one of the last cars driven by Paul Walker in the Fast & Furious films.
AACA Museum, Hershey, Pennsylvania
Hemis/Alamy
If you’re fascinated by cars of the past, Dalgaard says the AACA Museum (also known as America’s Transportation Experience) in Hershey, Pennsylvania, is the museum for you. Opened in 1993, it’s “dedicated to the preservation and presentation of motor vehicle history.” Dalgaard adds, “Highlights include the world’s largest Tucker collection … and a museum of bus transportation.” You can also see how the Mustang has changed over the years, and explore the era before Saab declared bankruptcy. Spanning three stories, the family-friendly museum also puts on various events such as scavenger hunts and driving experiences.
NASCAR Hall of Fame, Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority
“If you find yourself in the Queen City, you’ll want to make a pit stop at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. This Museum has NASCAR vehicles and memorabilia on display from drivers like Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt, and even ‘the King’ himself, Richard Petty,” says Sommer, who adds that this is a place that’s “all about immersing visitors in the history of racing.” While you can spend your time exploring the various exhibits, don’t forget to swing by the NASCAR Simulator, which she says is the “best part” of the entire experience. “You get to work with a crew chief and drive on a virtual track against other museum attendees,” she says, adding that “it’s harder than it looks.”
Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, Dearborn, Michigan
Gary Malerba/The Henry Ford
If there’s exactly one car museum to have on your must-visit list, it’s The Henry Ford. “It’s crazy to imagine, but this 12-acre museum actually started as Henry Ford’s personal collection. In fact, some of the vehicles in his collection date all the way back to 1906,” says Sommer. But, as Dalgaard shares, this is a museum that covers “more than a manufacturer’s story,” adding: “The museum features iconic vehicles such as the bus Rosa Parks sat in, the limousine JFK was murdered in, and several interactive exhibits. If you have the time, head to Greenfield Village and the [Ford] Rouge factory tour. Plus, if you have kids, there’s plenty of room to run around—this is not a precious museum.”
Midwest Dream Car Collection, Manhattan, Kansas
Midwest Dream Car Collection
“The passion project of Ward and Brenda Morgan, the museum’s founders, the Midwest Dream Car Collection is an exciting, rapidly growing museum in a very unique location,” says Dalgaard. With a goal of “celebrating the evolution of automobiles,” the museum has vehicles across a number of categories—including “luxury legends,” like the 1952 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible, and “rare gems,” like the 1967 Sunbeam Tiger MKII. Manhattan is a little under two hours by car from Kansas City, so the museum makes a great day trip for anyone visiting the area.
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