America is very passionate about its cars. We cherish the history of the automotive industry and are in awe of all of the beautiful cars there have been over the past century. There is no better way to marvel over and enjoy the rich history of cars in the United States than by visiting one of its most highly regarded car museums.
The 9 best car museums in the United States
There are dozens of amazing car museums all across the United States, so narrowing the list down to only 9 was not easy. However, we were able to do exactly that. We represented each part of the country the best we can, so you can find one of the best car museums that is closest to you.
The Henry Ford (Dearborn, MI)
The Henry Ford is an indoor and outdoor museum that was named after automobile pioneer Henry Ford. They have more than 140 vehicles displayed, including some of the most memorable cars in American history. Among the most notable vehicles at The Henry Ford are the original Oscar Meyer mobile and the limousine John F. Kennedy rode when he was assassinated. You can also participate in their hands-on “build a model-T” program. It also includes Abraham Lincoln’s chair from Ford Theatre and Henry Ford’s first automobile, a quadricycle.
America’s Car Museum (Tacoma, WA)
The America’s Car Museum (ACM) in Tacoma features more than 350 automobiles in their stunning 165,000 square foot facility. They have incredibly historic vehicles from every era since cars have been around. However, America’s Car Museum is perhaps most well-known for its extraordinary muscle, showcasing some of the best muscle cars from 1964 to 1972. If you are a muscle car enthusiast or love historic cars in general, then the America’s Car Museum is a must-visit.
Petersen Automotive Museum (Los Angeles, CA)
Located in the heart of Los Angeles, the Petersen Automotive Museum is truly breathtaking. The facility was completely renovated in 2015 and now has more than 12,000 square feet of gallery space, featuring more than 100 cars and motorcycles. They even have four historic scooters. The museum is a great visit for anyone, even for those who may not have as much of an interest in the history of automobiles. It has LED monitors, Panasonic projectors, touchscreens and more to make for a truly unique and memorable experience.
Lane Motor Museum (Nashville, TN)
The Lane Motor Museum is not your traditional automotive museum. They specialize in weird calls — or cars they refer to as “unique” or “one-of-a-kind.” When you visit the Lane Motor Museum in Nashville prepare yourself to see cars that are incredibly tiny, incredibly large, cars that have propellers attached to the front and much more. They have over 500 cars in total, including military vehicles, motorcycles, alternative fuel cars, amphibious cars and so much more.
The Revs Institute (Naples, FL)
Florida is home to many of the best car museums in the United States. The Revs Institute in Naples, Florida is certainly among the best. The Revs Institute is home to the Collier Collection, which includes cars that were built between 1896 and 1995. It is well known for its marvelous Porsche collection, consisting of a remarkable sports car built in the 1960s and 1970s. In total, they have over 100 automobiles to check out. If you find yourself in Florida, then you will certainly want to stop and see the Revs institute’s historic collection.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame (Indianapolis, IN)
Many of the best car museums are found along the coast, but middle America has a lot to offer as well. Among the most notable Museums is the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame in Indianapolis, which is home to the famous Indy 500. The museum includes cars from NASCAR, IndyCar, Formula One, drag racing and more. This is perfect for racing enthusiasts who are intrigued by cars with extraordinary racing performance. Included among their extensive collection are more than 30 cars that have won the Indy 500.
Larz Anderson Auto Museum (Brookline, MA)
Larz Anderson and his wife were collectors of cars in the early 1900s. They were able to amass quite the collection. This sparked the National Register of Historic Places to list the Carriage House where their collection was held as a historic site. This is also where the Larz Anderson Auto Museum is located in Brookline, MA. The historic museum includes some truly authentic and valuable vehicles, such as the 1924 Renault Torpedo, which is known more famously by its nickname, the “Polliwog.”
National Auto Museum (Reno, NV)
Reno, Nevada is home to the National Auto Museum, which features over 200 cars. Among the most notable vehicles included in the museum are a gold-plated De Lorean and a Beatnik Bandit that was previously owned by Ed “Big Daddy” Roth. There are many other historic vehicles to check out there as well, all of which have a rich history and unique value, telling the story of the automotive industry and its transformation to the modern-day.
Volo Museum (Volo, IL)
The Volo Museum in Volo, Illinois is another great museum that includes more than 300 cars. They specialize in truly historic cars and antiques that have historical, artistic or scientific importance. They have many cars that were previously owned by famous people, unique military vehicles, snowmobiles and more. The Volo Museum also has the country’s largest display of TV and movie cars, along with the display of Disney and Looney Tunes characters. This is truly a great museum for the entire family to enjoy.
Final thoughts
Car museums are like heaven to car enthusiasts. The best museum contains a rich history and incredibly valuable historic cars of all kinds. If you enjoy the history of the car industry and want to see some of the best cars in person, then visiting these 9 car museums is for you. So, why wait? Pick the one closest to you and schedule your trip today.