We are deeply grateful for car museums and the invaluable role they play in preserving automotive history and culture. How else would we see the 1963 Split-Window Corvette up close and in person, which currently resides in the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky? Or the Rudolph Uhlenhaut-designed Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé, one of two prototypes the Mercedes-Benz chief engineer built in 1955 as a road-legal version of the legendary 300 SLR race car?
This is the one with the hallowed title of the world’s most expensive car ever sold, after fetching approximately $143 million at auction in 2022. The truth is the closest most of us will ever get to experiencing these pieces of automotive history is behind the computer and smartphone screens. Thankfully, the other Uhlenhaut Coupe lives at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany. You just need a plane ticket – and, maybe, a visa.
We’re also thankful for folks like Manny Balale from Wichita Kansas, who understood that some cars do not belong in a private garage, which is why he donated his beloved Split-Window to the National Corvette Museum where history can be preserved and appreciated by many. Aficionado or just curious? Here are 24 must-see car museums stateside – no visa required.
Henry Ford Museum
- Where: Dearborn, Michigan
The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan celebrates American innovation with a diverse collection of historical vehicles, aviation artifacts, and American memorabilia. The museum hosts a spectacular collection of classic artifacts that provide nothing less than teachable moments from America’s industrial, technological, and cultural advancements.
There, you’ll find historical pieces like John F. Kennedy’s presidential limousine (yes, that one), the Ford Model T, the bus where Rosa Parks made her famous stand, and even the chair Abraham Lincoln was shot sitting on (it came from Ford’s Theater).
If you haven’t seen articles from the Wright brothers’ bicycle shop, you need to start planning a visit to the Henry Ford Museum. It’s only part of the Henry Ford Complex including the Greenfield Village and the Ford Rouge Factory Tour.
Petersen Automotive Museum
- Where: Los Angeles, California
The Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California, hosts an extensive collection of over 400 cars in its iconic architecture, making it not just the nation’s but one of the world’s largest and most diverse automotive museums.
The museum celebrates history, industry, and artistry, from classics to futuristic concept cars. The highlights include the rotating exhibits and an exclusive area called The Vault, which holds rare and historically significant cars sourced from around the world.
National Corvette Museum
- Where: Bowling Green, Kentucky
That’s the home of the Split-Window Corvette mentioned in the intro. However, the 1963 Split-Window is just a drop in the vast collection of automobiles that celebrate the history and evolution of the Chevrolet Corvette.
The National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky, is a proper destination for Corvette fans and everyone else with an iota of curiosity about America’s sports car.
There, you’ll find Corvette models from every generation, including the rare, one-of-a-kind, and concepts. Some of the cars that were part of the famous Skydome exhibit (remember the 2014 sinkhole tragedy) are now displayed at the Corvette Museum.
LeMay – America’s Car Museum
- Where: Tacoma, Washington
The LeMay – America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, Washington, is one of the largest in the world, hosting approximately 350 cars from nearly every decade, although it is said to have held around 3,000 at its peak.
LaMay’s collection has a wide range of makes and models, from classics to contemporary cars and modern supercars that lead visitors of all ages through the history and evolution of automobiles and their cultural impact.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum
- Where: Indianapolis, Indiana
This one is a must-see for Indy 500 fans and enthusiasts. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum emphasizes the Indianapolis 500 in its dedication to the history of automobile racing and the technology and engineering of race cars.
Located within the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the museum offers spectacular highlights of the history of Indy cars and the Indianapolis 500. It has a vast collection of race cars that honor many Indy 500 winners. Visitors explore memorabilia and artifacts related to famous drivers and landmark races.
Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum
- Where: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a must-visit if you’re a fan of racing sports cars. The museum, whose motto is “The Spirit of Competition,” is home to over 75 sports cars with significant motorsports history, from Ferraris to Porsches to Aston Martins, and many more.
Notably, the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum hosts demonstrations where visitors get to see cars from the collection in action in the facility’s back lot.
Mullin Automotive Museum
- Where: Oxnard, California
The Mullin Automotive Museum in Oxnard, California, is a must-see for gearheads and everyone fascinated by French cars from the Art Deco era, particularly the Bugatti and Voisin models. While the focus is on cars, visitors also get to see vintage furniture, art, and memorabilia that highlight classic French artistry and craftsmanship. It’s an excellent destination for those interested in the art and history of French automobiles.
Focusing on French cars from the Art Deco era means the Mullin Automotive Museum hosts many more historic brands besides Bugatti and Voisin, including Delage, Delahaye, Hispano-Suiza, and Talbot-Lago. They even have restoration workshops providing teachable moments via the preservation and restoration procedures for historic vehicles.
Revs Institute
- Where: Naples, Florida
The Revs Institute in Naples, Florida, preserves important automotive history via research and educational exhibits. The “Institute” in its name underscores its dedication to the study and celebration of automotive history.
You could go there to see an impressive collection of over a hundred rare and historically significant automobiles, particularly models that highlight important milestones in automotive engineering and design.
Unlike some car museums, Revs is more interested in preservation than restoration. Besides the cars, Revs boasts a vast archive of historical photographs, documents, and books related to automobiles.
Tallahassee Automobile Museum
- Where: Tallahassee, Florida
The Tallahassee Automobile Museum is a must-see for every car lover, even if for no other reason than the Batmobiles and historic muscle cars. They have a wide range of interesting cars to go see, including classics, vintages, and unique rides (like the Batmobile) that highlight the history and evolution of the automotive industry.
Besides the cars, you also get to see artifacts, memorabilia, and exhibits that celebrate America’s automotive culture and history.
Nethercutt Collection
- Where: Sylmar, California
The Nethercutt Collection in Sylmar, California, has showcased an impressive assemblage of classic and vintage automobiles since 1971, particularly rare, elegant models, especially from the early 20th century.
The highlight of the multi-storied museum founded by J.B Nethercutt is the Nethercutt-Richard family collection of over 250 cars, most of which were originally owned by avid collector J.B Nethercutt himself.
You’ll find meticulously restored vintage cars from the pre-war era. The Nethercutt Collection also includes fine art, mechanical musical instruments, and antique furniture.
Lane Motor Museum
- Where: Nashville, Tennessee
The Lane Motor Museum in Nashville, Tennessee, offers curious visitors a tour of rare European cars (especially models with historical significance) and oddities, including microcars, amphibious vehicles, and other one-of-a-kind creations.
Jeff and Susan Lane founded the museum in 2002 to celebrate automotive innovation and engineering, starting with the couple’s personal collection of 70 vehicles. As a result, many of the over 500 cars currently on display at Lane Motor Museum tell stories of extraordinary design and technological advancements.
Gilmore Car Museum
- Where: Hickory Corners, Michigan
The Gilmore Car Museum is an engaging destination for anyone interested in the fascinating world of automobiles, particularly classic American and European models. They have classic cars, motorcycles, and even specialty vehicles like fire trucks and race cars.
The museum, located in Hickory Corners, Michigan, hosts over 400 such cars across different pavilions, making it one of the largest car museums stateside. The museum facilities boast themed historic buildings such as the Cadillac & LaSalle Club Museum and the Pierce-Arrow Museum.
It can serve as a vibrant community hub for car enthusiasts and families thanks to the special events, car shows, and educational programs suitable for visitors of every age.
Owls Head Transportation Museum
- Where: Owls Head, Maine
The Owls Head Transportation Museum in Owls Head, Maine, is a go-to destination for enthusiasts and everyone fascinated by pre-1940 vehicles and aircraft. They even stage live demonstrations. It’s a fine place to educate kids and adults about the evolution of transportation in America and for historians to refresh their memory.
It houses a diverse collection of vehicles accumulated since its founding in 1974, from vintage automobiles to aircraft, motorcycles, and bicycles. It also showcases maritime artifacts. For Owls Head Transportation Museum, it’s not just about cars but about the history of transportation.
Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum
- Where: Fairbanks, Alaska
The Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum in Fairbanks, Alaska showcases vintage vehicles and period fashions from the early 20th century, emphasizing exhibits that tell the story of Alaska transportation and society through the Victorian and Art Deco eras.
Most of the over 95 pre-WWII cars on display at the Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum are rare models with significant historical relevance, from horseless carriages to steamers, speedsters, cyclecars, EVs (electric cars), and midget racers.
The museum says all but three cars in its collection are operable and often driven around the Wedgewood Resort grounds as weather permits.
Antique Automobile Club of America Museum
- Where: Hershey, Pennsylvania
The spectacular rotating exhibits at the Antique Automobile Club of America Museum (AACA) in Hershey, Pennsylvania, are a must-see for antique cars and automotive memorabilia enthusiasts. Founded in 2003, the museum hosts and preserves historic automobiles like the 1920 Ford Model T Truck, 1977 Chrysler Cordoba, 1987 Aldrich Autobuggy, and the 1967 Cadillac DeVille Convertible.
While the museum hosts several changing exhibits a year, such as the “100 Years of Dodge,” “Indian Motorcycles and America,” and “A Family Affair: Celebrating the Station Wagon,” it boasts a permanent collection of over 150 vehicles in its 20,000 square foot facility, including cars, trucks, and motorcycles from various eras.
The AACA’s Museum of Bus Transportation Collection dedicates an entire floor to buses and over 30 motorcycles. Approximately 80 of its 150 permanent car collections are displayed at a time.
Harrah’s Automobile Collection (National Automobile Museum)
- Where: Reno, Nevada
Harrah’s Automobile Collection in Reno, Nevada, preserves and showcases casino magnate William F. Harrah’s extensive collection of over 200 cars, although the museum boasts over 1,400 at its peak. Harrah amassed his impressive collection in the mid-20th century, and with over 1,400 vehicles at its peak, the museum ranks among the largest and most diverse in the world.
The collection is made up of vintage American and European vehicles from the 1950s and 1960s, including rare and custom models from notable brands. The numbers shrunk to a few hundred because they were sold off and dispersed following Harrah’s death in 1989.
Some found their way to private collectors while others got donated to museums. Survivors now form the display at the National Automobile Museum (formerly the Harrah Collection) in Reno.
Lingenfelter Collection
- Where: Brighton, Michigan
As the name suggests, the Lingenfelter Collection in Brighton, Michigan, is Ken Lingenfelter’s private collection of approximately 190 vehicles. The man’s devotion to American muscle, exotics, and custom-built performance cars is evident in his collection of high-performance exotic cars, muscle cars, and Corvettes.
These are not your regular Lamborghinis and Fords. They’re mostly rare and limited-production models you’d be lucky to see on the road. It’s not a conventional car museum you can visit at any time, though. You get to see them in one of its open house events (such as the Fall Open House of October 5, 2024) staged a few times a year for charity.
California Automobile Museum (Formerly California Vehicle Foundation)
- Where: Sacramento, California
The California Automobile Museum in Sacramento preserves California’s automotive history through a diverse collection of vintage and modern cars. This mission explains the museum’s original founding ethos in 1983 as the California Vehicle Foundation. It quickly evolved into a museum open to the public in 1987, and even then, it was known as the Towe Ford Museum.
The 72,000-square-foot facility is currently home to over 150 showpieces, including classic cars, race cars, muscle cars, and foundational models. An example of such ‘foundational models’ is the first car donated to the museum, a restored 1938 Buick sedan. They’re open Mondays through Wednesday 10 am to 5 pm.
Studebaker National Museum
- Where: South Bend, Indiana
The Studebaker National Museum in South Bend, Indiana, is dedicated to preserving and telling the story of the Studebaker car company and its vehicles, including its historic wagons, carriages, and military vehicles.
The museum was set up as recently as 2005 and holds an impressive assemblage of approximately 100 automobiles and other artifacts that represent non-automotive aspects of American history.
There, you’ll see classic cars, trucks, and prototypes that Studebaker built from the 1850s until the company’s closure in the 1960s. The museum also reportedly houses a cache of historical photos and documents that aren’t on exhibit.
Detroit Historical Museum
- Where: Detroit, Michigan
Motor City’s Detroit Historical Museum in the heart of America’s automotive industry invites everyone interested in America’s history.
While the museum celebrates Detroit’s automotive legacy, with emphasis on the Big Three automakers that transformed Detroit into a central hub for American automobiles, it generally highlights the city’s invaluable contributions to the nation.
It showcases artifacts related to Detroit’s music scene, sports history, the civil rights movement, and various other aspects of the city’s cultural, social, and economic history. The museum’s “Detroit: The City of Innovation” exhibit is perfect for visitors of all ages.
Muscle Car City Museum
- Where: Punta Gorda, Florida
A muscle car fan who hasn’t been to the Muscle Car City Museum in Punta Gorda, Florida, is missing out. The place boasts a massive collection of GM vehicles and American muscle cars primarily from the 1960s and 1970s glory days of American muscle.
Founded in 2009 by car enthusiast and collector Rick Treworgy, the Muscle Car City Museum is home to over 200 vehicles comprising many famous models from Chevrolet, Ford, and Dodge. It’s a must-see for anyone fascinated by the muscle car phenomenon in America.
Volo Auto Museum
- Where: Volo, Illinois
The Volo Auto Museum has one of the largest and most diverse collections of classic and antiquated automobiles in America, with over 400 vehicles in its facilities.
Besides the rare automobiles and vintage motorcycles, Volo Auto Museum also houses vintage boats, Hollywood memorabilia, and pop culture vehicles like the Batmobile and the DeLorean time machine (DMC-12) from the Back to the Future movie.
Volo’s collection of movie and Television cars makes it a perfect destination for both cars and movie buffs.
Blackhawk Museum
- Where: Danville, California
The Blackhawk Museum in Danville, California, was co-founded in 1988 by Don Williams and Ken Behring. The museum has since evolved from just an exhibit of vintage cars to include various other artifacts that explore American cultures and history. Behring (1928–2019), who made his fortune in real estate, is known for developing the Blackhawk community in California.
The Blackhawk Museum houses rare and exotic cars, some of which are the most luxurious automobiles in history. Besides classic and vintage vehicles, Blackhawk also encourages visitors to explore the art and culture surrounding the automotive industry. It has over 90 cars in its collection.