Best Car Museums and Car Shows in the Country

Spring is almost here and the road is calling all auto enthusiasts! What better way to spend a weekend than cruising scenic driveways looking for auto museums, car shows, or classic car events? There is so much to see, to learn, and ogle at, so take your family or friends and get on that winding road! Happy drives!

Petersen Automotive Museum (Los Angeles)

This place is one of the best in the country and should be visited by all car enthusiasts. You are invited to see not only the cars, but also understand their impact to Los Angeles and beyond. Hollywood movie cars and competition vehicles all await your attention. There is also a Vault, where you will see some cars not on display along with docent explanation about them.

Larz Anderson Auto Museum (Massachusetts)

This museum started as a private carriage collection of Larz and Isabel Anderson’s viewing, but now grew into one of the oldest museums with deep traditions. You can see an impressive collection there and also participate in one of the weekend lawn events that take place all the time.

The Henry Ford (Dearborn, Michigan)

Of course, Henry Ford car museum has to be big – spread on an impressive 250 acres with exhibitions inside and outside. You can view vehicles, learn about history and industry, ride a Model T, and visit a factory. You might need more than one day for all this!

Gilmore Car Museum (Michigan)

Michigan is dense with car museums and we can totally understand why! At Gilmore you can see about 400 vehicles that span over a hundred years, starting with 1929. There is also a restored version of 1930’s gas station.

National Automobile Museum (Reno, Nevada)

You will see all kinds of vehicles from private collection of Mr. William Farrah. You can also view beauties owned by Lana Turner and Elvis Presley. And then there are beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains right here calling you for a ride!

Coach Barn at Kykuit (Pocantico Hills, New York)

In addition to seeing antique cars and classic automobiles, you can also visit and take in the mansion and expansive grounds of Rockefeller family, where 4 generations of oil tycoon family lived right by the New York City.

New Port Car Museum (Portsmouth, Rode Island)

If you crave some specialty vehicles, this place has tons of special collections to satisfy every car enthusiast – Fords, Shelbys, Corvettes, tailfins, and so much more for your viewing pleasure.

Studebaker National Museum (South Bend, Indiana)

The museum is open to public since 1966 and owns an impressive collection of Studebaker Corporation’s cars, presidential vehicles, and even famous Studebaker family’s Conestoga wagon. The exhibition dedicated to Depression era is really worth seeing!

The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum (Indiana)

This museum is famous for interactive exhibits, such as modeling your own model at the Design Studio. The V8 engine is explained at the museum alongside cars from Golden Age, John Dillinger, Hoosier Hoodlum, and some Hollywood’s rides on display. You can often catch special events, especially during warm weather.

Greenwich Concours D’elegance (Greenwich, Connecticut)

This event takes place every summer since 1996 in June. Saturday is usually dedicated to classic domestic cars, while Sunday celebrates European sports and luxury cars. Don’t miss this candy for your eyes!

National Corvette Museum (Bowling Green, Kentucky)

The name says it all – you can see every Corvette in every color from every year! The cars are still being made right next door at General Motors Corvette Assembly Plant. Exhibitions change often here, but you will always get to see Corvettes, their evolution, and hear a story about a sinkhole in the museum that stole some vehicles.

Boardwalk Classic Car Shows (Wildwood, New Jersey)

Just imagine – ocean shore and classic cars together! You can visit this vacation destination over Mother’s Day weekend and on September 19th for beautiful cars and spectacular views.

Sarasota Classic Car Museum (Florida)

The museum has long standing traditions and exhibits of everything related to automobile, from oldest classic cars to modern European engineering wonders. It started as a private collection, but grew from there and now contains Rolls-Royces of the Ringling Circus family, John Lennon’s Mercedes-Benz, and many more automotive gems.

Mullin Automotive Museum (Oxnard, California)

This museum is quite new, open since 2010 to display a personal collection of Peter Mullin. It’s not open every day, just some Saturdays and has a feel of personal touch for sure. It’s worth a visit though, so devote a Saturday to it and enjoy!