10 Best Car Museums in Florida You Should Visit
Want to visit some of the best car museums in Florida but not sure where you to go? Then this article will give you 10 of the best spots!
Florida may be known for its sunny beaches and thrilling theme parks but it also has its fair share of attractions for car enthusiasts too!
If you’re passionate about unique rides, roaring engines, or simply the fascinating history of automobiles, the Sunshine State has something special for you.
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From classic beauties to futuristic marvels, there are a number of car museums in Florida that even non-car fans will appreciate.
Whether you’re a seasoned gearhead or just curious about the world of cars, there is a car museum in Florida you’ll love.
Best Car Museums in Florida
These Florida car museums are spread all around the state so whether you’re in Orlando or Naples, you’ll find one nearby!
1. Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, Daytona Beach
If you’re into racing and all things fast, the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America is a place you’ll want to check out.
Located in Daytona Beach right at the Daytona International Speedway, this museum celebrates the fast and the furious in motorsports.
You’ll find cars, motorcycles, boats, and even airplanes that have made history in racing. The museum also has interactive exhibits, so you can really feel what it’s like in the world of racing, plus artifacts and memorabilia that shed light on the racing.
Opened in 1989, this museum has been a hit with racing fans and families alike, and you can expect to see standouts like the Blue Bird which belonged to world-famous racer Sir Malcolm Campbell, and more.
2. Classic Car Museum, St. Augustine
Located in Florida’s oldest city, Classic Car Museum showcases over 80 cars ranging from vintage cars of the 1800s to cool cars from the ’70s.
You’ll also find everything from sleek roadsters of the Roaring Twenties to the muscle cars that defined the 60s.
What’s more, they’ve also got memorabilia, old gas station signs, and all sorts of things that paint a full picture of America’s love affair with cars.
If you’re keen on learning while looking at some jaw-dropping automobiles, the Classic Car Museum in St. Augustine should definitely be on your list!
3. Tallahassee Automobile Museum, Tallahassee
Photo Credit: Tallahassee Automobile Museum, Tallahassee
Nestled in Florida’s capital city, the Tallahassee Automobile Museum is a must-visit place for car lovers.
With a collection that boasts over 160 automobiles, this museum tells the story of automotive history in a way that appeals to both enthusiasts and casual visitors alike.
From iconic American classics to rare European models, there’s a car to ignite every imagination. You’ll also find an intriguing collection of motorcycles, pianos, a Duryea motorwagon, pedal cars, antique boating items, and even sports memorabilia.
Whether you’re interested in the elegant lines of a vintage Cadillac or the sleek design of a modern sports car, the Tallahassee Automobile Museum showcases will not disappoint.
4. Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing, Ocala
Photo Credit: Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing/ FB
You don’t have to be a drag racing expert to enjoy the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing in Ocala.
Named after the legendary drag racer Don “Big Daddy” Garlits, this museum is all about the thrill and excitement of drag racing.
With over 300 cars including many of Garlits’ own record-breaking machines, it’s the perfect place to see the history of drag racing up close.
It also has an Antique Car Building which houses a collection of classic cars and hot rods.
Open Monday through Saturday, this is one of the best car museums in Florida if fast cars and roaring engines are your thing, or even if you’re just looking for something different to do.
Plus, it is pet-friendly so your furry friends don’t have to stay home!
5. Orlando Auto Museum, Orlando
Photo by felixtm/Depositphotos
Most people travel to Orlando to visit Disney and other theme parks that make Orlando what it is but the city has much more to offer than just this — from cat cafes to car museums.
If the latter is your ideal way of spending a non-theme park day, then be sure to check out Orlando Auto Museum.
Located in Dezerland Park, this is a place where history, creativity, and cars come together.
With classics that take you back in time and cars from hit movies like James Bond movies to cars from Europe and Israel, you can easily spend a couple of hours here.
And you don’t have to know a lot about cars to enjoy it. Everything is nicely set up with information that’s easy to understand so you can learn as you go.
The museum is open every day, so you can plan your visit when it works best for you.
6. Sarasota Classic Car Museum, Sarasota
Photo Credit: Sarasota Classic Car Museum, Sarasota
The Sarasota Classic Car Museum is one of the second oldest continuously operating car museums in the United States, and trust us, it shows — but in a good way!
Located in sunny Sarasota, the museum is home to more than 100 stunning automobiles ranging from vintage European models to muscle cars, and even some rare one-of-a-kind vehicles.
The place does an awesome job of displaying the cars in a timeline, so you really get a sense of how auto design has evolved over the years.
And guess what? Some cars are even for sale so you could leave with more than just photos!
Besides the cars, there’s also a ton of automobilia like old gas station signs and vintage license plates, plus a fun gift shop with car-themed goodies to take back home.
7. Dauer Museum of Classic Cars, Sunrise
Photo Credit: Dauer Museum of Classic Cars, Sunrise
While The Dauer Museum of Classic Cars may not be as big as other car museums in Florida, every single car on display is a showstopper.
With around 50 cars on display, you’ll see some of the finest examples of automotive beauty from the 20th century, from iconic American cars to cool European models with prestigious brands like Rolls-Royce, Bugatti, and Ferrari.
What makes it special is how the cars are kept — they’re all in perfect condition like they just rolled off the assembly line.
8. Tampa Bay Automobile Museum, Pinellas Park
Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Automobile Museum, Pinellas Park
If you’re in Pinellas Park or even in Tampa and have an interest in cars, the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum is worth a visit.
This museum offers a unique collection of vintage European cars from the 1920s and ’30s and Art Deco vehicles that showcase the evolution of the auto industry.
Highlights include a 1938 Adler Trumpf Junior Sport, a classic example of German engineering, and the only functioning and reproduction of the French 1770 Fardier de Cugnot.
You’ll also find working replicas of pioneering automobiles that changed the course of history and informative displays that explain the technology and the pioneers behind these masterpieces.
Whether you’re an auto enthusiast or just interested in learning more, this museum has something to offer.
9. The Revs Institute, Naples
Looking for rare and significant cars, then The Revs Institute in Naples is the place to be.
The collection is home to over 100 historically important vehicles, each one carefully selected to represent a step in the evolution of the automobile.
Some standout examples in their collection include a 1912 Mercer Model 35-C Raceabout, considered one of the first sports cars, a 1939 Mercedes-Benz W154 Grand Prix car, a marvel of engineering in its time, a 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa, a true icon of racing history, the 1938 Maserati 8CTF Grand Prix, the 1971 Porsche 917K, and many others!
You should however note that visits to The Revs Institute are by appointment only, so you’ll want to plan ahead and make a reservation on their website as walkins are not accepted.
The museum is also only open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays only, from 10 am – 4 pm with the last entry being at 2 pm.
10. The Brumos Collection, Jacksonville
The Brumos Collection is known for its emphasis on Porsche racing history, and you can see examples like the 1977 Porsche 935 which won the 24 Hours of Daytona, the 1968 Porsche 907, another iconic race car, and other Porsche race cars from 1953-2017.
However, they also have other equally impressive cars that span over 3 generations from the 1914 Peugeot L45 Grand Prix car, and the 1894 Peugeot, to the 1931 Bentley 4½ Litre Supercharged Tourer.
The museum also has car and racing memorabilia, and vintage racing equipment that any gearhead will appreciate. You’ll also be able to learn more history of each car from the kiosks dotted around.
And as with most car museums in Florida we’ve looked at above, you’ll need to book a ticket in advance to guarantee a spot.
Final Thoughts On the Best Auto Museums in Florida
You may not come to Florida to specifically visit car museums but if you’re here, they’re a great alternative when you want to take a break from the beach!
Whether you know a lot about cars or just a little, you’ll definitely learn something new from these auto museums in Florida.
The best part is that they’re spread all over the state, so no matter where you are in Florida, there’s likely a car museum nearby.
But before you go, consider sharing these Florida car museums if you found the article helpful!
