You don’t have to be a car nut to enjoy learning about the rich history of the automotive industry. In America cars are an ingrained and important part of society and learning about them can be very entertaining. So, when you take your summer vacation, consider building in some time to stop at one of the following museums, we’re sure you won’t regret it.
Petersen Automotive Museum – Los Angeles, CA
Heading to the west coast this summer? Don’t forget to stop at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. It has four floors of exhibits that celebrate the role of the automobile in American culture. There are more than 150 classic and rare cars, trucks and motorcycles spread over the museum and we’re sure you’ll be able to find your dream car.
National Automobile Museum – Reno, NV
Moving in a little from the West Coast, you can pop in at the National Automobile Museum in Reno, Nevada. This museum is home to more than 200 classic, collector, vintage and antique cars placed in interesting and entertaining exhibits and themed street like showcases inside the museum. There are a fair amount of celebrity vehicles as well, including cars owned by Elvis, James Dean, Sinatra and more.
National Corvette Museum – Bowling Green, KY
You may remember the giant sinkhole that opened up the floor of the Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky, a few years ago but that big hole didn’t swallow up all the Corvettes in this superb museum. While it might seem like a museum dedicated to one model would get a little boring, it simply isn’t true. There’s no doubt that you’ll have a good time here learning about one of America’s automotive icons.
Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum – Auburn, IN
Looking for something a little more off the beaten path? The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum has over 120 unique cars from some of the early luxury automakers. The town is still home to one of the biggest collector car auctions in the country and its fitting that just down the road lies a true gem of an automobile museum. The museum also houses a large archive of photographs documents from Auburn, Cord and Duesenberg automobile companies.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame – Indianapolis, IN
A couple hours south of Auburn Indiana lies a motorsports paradise, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Housed at the speedway is the Indy Hall of Fame Museum, which showcases some of the most influential race cars in a 36,000 square foot space. The vehicles come from a number of race series, including IndyCar, NASCAR, Formula One, Sprint, Midget, motorcycle races, and drag racing. If you’re at all interested in racing, this is one place you have to visit.
The Henry Ford Museum – Dearborn, MI
One of the most comprehensive car collections in the world, the Henry Ford Museum doesn’t just showcase Ford Motor Company vehicles, it shows off cars from all makes and models. New and old cars are showcased and the museum is known for its Driving American exhibit, which showcases how cars have affected people’s lives over the years. Even if you’re not a car buff, you’ll find this museum immensely interesting and fun.
Antique Automobile Club of America Museum –Hershey, PA
Interested in automotive history? This is the best place to go. The Antique Automobile Club of America Museum displays eight decades of cars in different themed exhibits. There are over 100 cars in the museum and several motorcycles. The Museum of Bus Transportation is also located at the same place, giving you some information on public transportation as well. This museum is definitely worth the stop.
Larz Anderson Auto Museum – Brookline, MA
This museum claims to be the oldest car collection in the U.S., showing off a different exhibit at different times. While not the largest museum, it is a must see if you’re ever passing through Massachusetts. Cars, trucks and motorcycles from a large number of manufacturers and time periods pair nicely with the gorgeous scenery and building of the museum. The basement of this museum houses one of the best collections of rare turn of the century cars.
