The automobile has a small but integral role in the history of the United States. How can you learn more about them? Tour the best car museums in the nation, as they feature sports cars, racing machines, and antiques. Your options are vast from coast to coast, so check out these top auto institutions.
If you want to explore the best car museums, why not visit the biggest one? The Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners, Michigan, says its 435 vintage vehicles and motorcycles make it the largest auto institution nationwide. A short drive from Gull Lake, the museum includes 90 acres and hours of exploring. If you want an end-of-the-year vacation, head to Donald S. Gilmore’s institution and its winter wonderland experience.
The Gilmore Car Museum has permanent exhibits worth your time, such as the muscle car collection. These 23 vehicles include the 1970 Ford Torino, 429 Cobra Jet, and the 1967 Shelby GT500 Prototype. If you visit the International Gallery, you’ll find international luxury vehicles from Bentley, Mercedes, and Duesenberg. From April to November, you can see world-famous motorcycles like the 1952 Triumph Trophy TR5.
The Packard Motor Car Company was among America’s first luxury automobile manufacturers, opening its factory doors in 1899. In the early 20th century, Packard cars were five times more expensive than standard vehicles. While the last cars rolled off in 1958, you can see the company’s history in Dayton, Ohio. America’s Packard Museum is in an old dealership and houses the most extensive public collection of this manufacturer’s cars.
The museum houses over 50 automobiles and artifacts, with some Packard vehicles on loan from private collectors. Visiting the institution is like entering a time machine due to the vast lineup of old cars. For instance, the 1903 Model K Gray Wolf Racer has no windshield or seatbelts. You also get a glimpse of Packard’s role in wartime history, as the museum displays the 1918 Model E Great War Army Truck.
You won’t have to travel far on I-70 from Dayton, Ohio, to reach the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This famed track is among the most famous worldwide, with IndyCar races as far back as 1911. Adjacent to the speedway, you’ll find the museum and a century’s worth of history from the racetrack. While the Indianapolis 500 is in May, you can tour the museum anytime except Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The museum is a unique attraction because there’s stuff to do inside and outside the facility. Indoors, you see over 55,000 automobiles and artifacts from the track’s legends. Foyt, Earnhardt, and Mears are only some names cemented in the Indianapolis history books. Additionally, your crew can tour the track and kiss the vintage 1909 bricks. The best part of the tour might be standing on the 153-foot-tall pagoda and viewing the speedway.
Please note that the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum has been closed for renovations since November 2023 and is set to reopen in April 2025, so keep this in mind when planning your trip.
The Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) has one of the best car museums if you want a fun experience for the family. Before you walk in the door, you’ll see the famous Hershey’s Kissmobile Cruiser as part of the permanent collection. The nearby Hershey Company donated the large vehicle after traveling 250,000 miles to children’s hospitals nationwide. Upon entering, you see plenty of American history through different automobiles.
One of the most popular AACA exhibits is the Cammack Tucker Collection, featuring the best vehicles from Preston Tucker. The museum houses numerous Tucker vehicles like the Tin Goose and model ‘48s. Another exhibition you might not see in other car museums is the evolution of headlights. In this collection, you get a hands-on experience with automobile lighting technologies and how they’ve changed in 140 years.
West Coast car culture is on display near West Hollywood at the Petersen Automotive Museum. Known as one of the best car museums in California, the institution links the past and present with its vast vehicle collection. For instance, the Super/Hyper exhibit is the building’s newest display, featuring slick rides from the 21st century. These cars include the 2022 Apollo Intense Emozione, the 2005 Bugatti Veyron, and the 2017 Pagana Huarya.
The Petersen Automotive Museum is another location where you can interact with vehicles. Check out the Forza Motorsport Racing Experience, where you can enjoy a racing simulator and responsive steering wheels. While it doesn’t perfectly emulate a street race, you still get the exhilarating feeling of being behind the wheel. You can also buy tickets to the Vault to see rare cars and motorcycles.
Another California car institution worth visiting is the Blackhawk Automotive Museum in Danville. A short drive from Oakland, this facility is famous for its historic and vintage cars. The museum prides itself on the intersection of history, art, and culture in its six distinct exhibits. With numerous interests included, there is something for everybody at this museum. You can even view centuries of African art and how it has impacted sub-Saharan Africa.
For cars, check out the Don Williams Automobile Gallery. The exhibit houses the 1886 Benz Patent Motorwagon, the official first vehicle in the world. While it only had 0.75 horsepower, the Carl Benz creation was integral to the history of international automotive. You’ll also see some of the rarest vehicles worldwide, such as the 1936 Bugatti Type 57s Surbaisse. In contrast, the Blackhawk Museum features modern supercars like the 2017 Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta.
Eddie and Joanne Dauer’s passion for amazing automobiles became the Dauer Classic Car Museum in Sunrise, Florida. Travel north of Miami and Fort Lauderdale to see this Sunshine State institution and the pristine vehicles from the old days. The museum features prominent cars from 1906 through the 2020s, with each vehicle undergoing restoration to ensure its readiness for display.
Automobile history is on display at the Dauer Classic Car Museum as you see a mural with Marilyn Monroe and her Cadillac convertible. Buick, Rolls Royce and Bentley only scratch the surface of what you’ll see at this South Florida museum. Besides cars, the facility has nostalgic memorabilia like old gas pumps, convenience store signs, and motors. While their collection started as a hobby, the Dauers have created an excellent spot for classic car lovers.
When Henry Ford introduced the Model T, the course of American history changed. This invention and the 15 million succeeding cars inspired other influential automakers like Aston Martin and Volvo. Dearborn, Michigan, hosts the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation and the man behind the legendary automobile company. Here, you learn about the famous Ford assembly lines and an exploded Model T from 1924.
While the Ford Motor Company is prevalent at the museum, you see numerous corners of American history. For instance, the Presidential Vehicles exhibit shows automobiles that carried famous presidents like Franklin D. Roosevelt and Gerald Ford. Another worthwhile exhibit is the bus Rosa Parks rode in 1955, thus sparking the 20th century’s Civil Rights Movement. With abundant history, the museum is worth an entire day.
When considering American sports cars, it doesn’t get much better than the Chevrolet Corvette. These vehicles exceed 200 miles per hour and look cool while doing it. If you’re a fan of this iconic vehicle, check out the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky. This Bluegrass State institution is across the street from General Motors’ Green Assembly plant — the manufacturing facility producing Corvettes since 1981.
The Corvette has significantly impacted American culture, and the museum displays the country’s love for the vehicle. Check out the Pop Culture and Corvette exhibit to see famous owners of these sports cars and where the luxury vehicle has appeared in movies. Highlights include a 1973 Medium Blue Corvette from “Hawaii Five-0” and astronaut Jim Lovell’s 1968 Corvette fitted with spacecraft artifacts.
Just outside Chicago, Volo has one of the best car museums for children and the whole family to enjoy. The expansive collection includes Disney vehicles, Hollywood artifacts, and other iconic automobiles. In the Disney collection, you’ll see Barbie’s pink convertible, Dizzy Lizzy, and other famous cars you see at the theme parks. The Volo Museum says its Disney collection is the largest outside the California and Florida amusement parks.
In addition to the pop culture collections, the Volo Museum houses classic and vintage cars from yesteryear. The five showrooms display vehicles as far back as the early 1900s when they were more primitive. Make time for the agriculture and military exhibits, as they display unique machines you may have yet to see. Where else can you see a Lamborghini tractor? Stop at the military section to see Willys MB jeeps used in World War II.
Barber Motorsports Park in Leeds, Alabama, is home to Grand-Am, the Vintage Racing Series, and IndyCar’s Grand Prix of Alabama. If you like auto racing, this Alabama institution is where you should be. Adjacent to the racetrack is the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, which has plenty of automobile history from the streets and tracks. The facility is one of America’s best museums for motorcycles and anything else on two wheels.
The motorcycle collection features motorcycles older than the Model T. At the museum, you’ll see the 1894 Hildebrand and Wolfmüller — the first mass-produced motorcycle. The four-stroke engine doesn’t compare to modern Yamaha and Kawasaki bikes but is integral to American automobile history. Plan an October visit to the museum if you want to attend the Barber Vintage Festival and see the 500 vendors providing motorcycle parts and memorabilia.
Drive south from Leeds to Talladega to see the International Motorsports Hall of Fame. Another facility close to a racetrack, this museum is the center of autosport history. The faces in the Hall of Fame are a who’s who of NASCAR, the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), the United States Auto Club (USAC), and other famous racing leagues. If you come in April or October, you could catch the race at the nearby superspeedway.
Touring the International Motorsports Hall of Fame is a time machine of the most significant racing figures from the 20th century. Dale Earnhardt Sr., Enzo Ferrari, and Junior Johnson defined international racing, and their contributions are visible at the museum. You can also see authentic race cars from the past century, such as NASCAR stock cars, dirt track racers, and vintage vehicles used ages ago.
Nashville may be home to country music, but it has one of the best car museums in the Southeast. The Lane Motor Museum is worth a visit because of the varied collection from cross-sections of the automobile industry. From European cars to amphibious vehicles, the institution piques the interest of casual fans and gearheads. Bring your kids to the Learning Lane exhibit for an educational experience and hours of fun.
The Lane Motor Museum features classic cars and unique vehicles you may have yet to see. For instance, the 1952 A. Morin Scootavia Tripousse is a scooter with a passenger car on the front, demonstrating what was prevalent in 1950s France. Like other facilities, the Lane Motor Museum has a special vault you can visit for an additional charge. This section offers vehicle demonstrations and guided tours on the weekends.
While America dominates the automobile conversation, other countries have their say. For instance, the United Kingdom’s automotive history dates back to 1857 with old manufacturers like Vauxhall and Rover. Check out the British Transportation Museum in Dayton, Ohio to see the best English manufacturing manufacturing. Volunteers make the magic happen at this museum, which showcases British cars and memorabilia.
Viewing the collection makes you feel like you’re driving across the pond. The vehicles demonstrate the U.K.’s auto manufacturing boom, especially after the Second World War. Start your visit by checking out the 1936 Austin 20 Mayfair Limousine. While it doesn’t stretch like modern limos, the vehicle is only one of 11 left in existence. Other notable British cars include 1962 Triumph Heralds, a 1964 Jaguar 3.8 S-Type, and other luxury vehicles.
Touring the Best Car Museums in the U.S.
When you tell the history of the United States, you must include the car. Automobiles have been part of the military, sports, and daily life for over a century. The best way to see this history is to see one of America’s many car museums. If you want to visit an institution, consider a road trip in a classic car to enhance the automobile experience.
Jack Shaw is the Senior Outdoors Writer for Modded Magazine. Driven by his passion for writing, Jack loves to traverse the wilderness, travel, and explore the unknown. He has over six years of experience writing professionally and loves engaging in new projects. His works have been published in The Travel Magazine, EcoHotels, Trekaroo, and more.