15 Best Car Museums To Visit In Florida (2023)

For fans of engines, alternators, and wheels, heading to America can be an automobile adventure as there are many motors in the United States that they may not have previously seen.

From muscle cars and drag racing to vintage vehicles of the past, there are lots of museums in Florida for auto enthusiasts to visit.

1. Living Legends of Auto Racing

📍 City: South Daytona
💻 Website: http://www.livinglegendsofautoracing.com/

If you want to delve into the rich history of car racing and witness some iconic cars, the Living Legends Of Auto Racing museum is for you.

There is a core selection of cars on show, but others are occasionally swapped in and on special events, the collection spills out of the museum into the mall. 

Entry is free and it’s suggested to plan at least an hour to take everything in. If you are visiting during a special event, you will likely want to stay longer. Standard opening hours are Thursday, Friday & Sunday from 10:00-15:00.

2. Tampa Bay Automobile Museum

📍 City: Pinellas Park
💻 Website: https://www.tbauto.org/

A trip to the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum puts you face-to-fender with the cars that set the standards for the or the engineering of automobiles today.

Steeped in history, this 19,000 square feet space houses some of the pioneering vehicles from the past. With vehicles dating back to the 1920s, the machines have been chosen due to their creative impact on the evolution of the motor car.

This unique collective includes cars from Voisin, DKW, Stearns-Knight, Alvis, and DeLorean. Standard admission tickets are $14, with discounts available for active military, seniors, and older children. Kids aged 8 and under get in free with a paying adult. You can also book monthly mechanic tours for $20.

3. American Muscle Car Museum

📍 City: Melbourne
💻 Website: https://www.americanmusclecarmuseum.com/

The American Muscle Car Museum is not actually open to the public. It does, however, open for special events, fundraisers, and educational visits for school children. The collection is actually a private one.

The 300+ cars are owned by Mark Pieloch, who has spent over 40 years pulling them all together. There are more than 50 Indianapolis 500 pace cars & trucks, 35+ Shelbys, along with the most extensive Yenko car collection in the world. More than 100 of the cars are driven less than 100 miles.

The events you can get involved with include the Space Coast EV Club Car Show and the two-day MCA Grand National. They also run a year-long car raffle, raising funds for the Brevard Alzheimer’s Foundation. Previous prizes include a 1970 Plymouth GTX.

The collection is second to none and the way it is used for fundraising is fantastic. Take a look at when the next events are taking place and include one in your next Florida trip plans.

4. Motorsports Hall of Fame of America

📍 City: Daytona Beach
💻 Website: https://www.mshf.com/

Located in the Daytona International Speedway Ticket & Tours Building, the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America is a world-class museum.

There are hundreds of men and women who have been inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame, and each of the vehicles on display has been driven, prepared or raced by one of these legends. Inductees include Cannon Ball Baker, Junior Johnson, Denise McCluggage and Art Chester.

See with your own eyes, some of the most incredible machines from car racing, aeroplane racing, boat racing, and more! There are permanent exhibits such as the Sweep of Speed, as well as temporary ones that come and go for specific events. Be sure to get your photo taken behind the wheel of an actual Toyota NASCAR Cup Series car.

MSHFA opens seven days a week, excluding major holidays, from 10:00-17:00. Admission to the museum is included in the cost of a Daytona International Speedway tour ticket.

5. Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing 

📍 City: Ocala
💻 Website: https://garlits.com/

Since opening in 1984, the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing is the one-stop shop for fans to discover the history of the sport of drag racing.

Don Garlits has been quoted saying that “the primary objective is to preserve the history of Drag Racing for our sport and future generations.” The museum is full of historical drag racers, including the very first Swamp Rat.

Take your time on your tour of the huge space, exploring the engines and trophies. You will also find a collection of antique cars.

There are events throughout the year, including charitable events. Admission is $20 for adults and $10 for children aged 5-12. There are discounts for college students, seniors, and military personnel.

6. Revs Institute

📍 City: Naples 
💻 Website: https://revsinstitute.org/

You will find the Revs Institute on Horseshoe Drive South, where you can discover the automobile’s role in both motorsports and society.

Here you can witness noteworthy vehicles built between 1896 and 1995. The cars on display in the museum include 1971 Porsche 908/03, a 1966-67 Ford GT40 MK II‑B, and 1958 Vanwall Formula 1.

The museum is dedicated to the study, preservation, conservation, and restoration of these classic automobiles.

7. The Brumos Collection

📍 City: Jacksonville
💻 Website: https://www.thebrumoscollection.com/

Explore a 35,000 square feet museum, dedicated to the history of some of the world’s finest vehicles. This automobile assemblage is second to none, with vehicles of the past as well as modern cars. Filled with motors and memorabilia, it’s definitely a destination for car enthusiasts.

The immersive experience at The Brumos Collection takes you from historical trailblazers to the forerunners of today. When the museum was established, the decision was made to showcase the drivers and inventors of these machines, as well as the motorcars themselves.

Open Thursdays from 09:00-14:00 and Fridays and Saturdays 09:00-15:00, tickets are $24.99 for adults and $14.99 for children and students. Kids aged 7 and under are free and there are also discounts for seniors and first responders.

8. Orlando Auto Museum

📍 City: Orlando
💻 Website: Buy tickets

The Auto Museum in Orlando is the largest museum of any kind in the city, filled with an incredible collection of vehicles. There is something for everyone to discover, with cars from all around the world.

The collections include cars from France, Israel, and the United Kingdom. Speaking of the UK, fans of 007 will love exploring the world’s biggest collection of James Bond movie cars, aircraft, and memorabilia.

There is even more for lovers of the silver screen, as there are loads of cars to find from the world of film. Motors from the movies include Ghostbusters, Back To The Future, Dukes Of Hazard, Harry Potter, and The Fast & The Furious franchise. You can even wander into the Batcave and discover Gotham’s finest Batmobiles from across the ages.

There is so much to appreciate, including a Vespa lounge and a classic car collection from the Gatsby era. You will find the Orlando Auto Museum on International Drive and admission is $29.95 for adults. Children aged 4-12 are $20.95 whilst younger kids enter for free.

9. Tallahassee Automobile Museum

📍 City: Tallahassee
💻 Website: https://tacm.com/

The Tallahassee Automobile Museum is a journey through history. Recommended by Visit Florida and the Orlando Sentinal, the 100,000-square-foot complex contains more than 150 cars and trucks, along with plenty of memorabilia.

You will encounter classic American muscle cars, antique vehicles, and concept cars you won’t have ever seen before. The collection is always changing and growing. So even if you have visited before, you are going to find something new on your next visit!

The museum is absolutely stacked with history, including President Lincoln’s horse-drawn hearse from 1860! You will also be able to see a one-of-a-kind Snell gas combustion automobile from the year 1900.

10. Sarasota Classic Car Museum

📍 City: Sarasota
💻 Website: https://www.sarasotacarmuseum.org/

The Sarasota Classic Car Museum is actually the second oldest continuously operating antique car museum in the country! With more than 100 classic, vintage, rare, antique, and highly collectable cars on display, you can travel through automotive history.

Take a look at immaculately restored vehicles from the likes of Cadillac, Bentley, and Alfa Romeo. The museum has changing exhibitions, recently showcasing The Art of Ferdinand Porsche and Enzo Ferrari. With special events and musical performances throughout the year, it is a must-visit.

The Sarasota Classic Car Museum is open seven days a week, 09:00-18:00. It is closed on Christmas Day. Adult admission is $19 and children aged 5 and under are free.

11. Dauer Museum of Classic Cars

📍 City: Sunrise 
💻 Website: https://dauercars.com/

When you head to Sunrise and walk into Dauer Museum of Classic Cars, you are in for a walk down memory lane. With more than 50 unique cars, built as far back as 1906, you can pretty much walk the timeline of the evolution of the automobile.

The most recent vehicle on display comes from the year 2020, but you can see European cars as well as American-made motors. Check out some epic motor vehicles from Cadillac Chrysler, and Bentley

A self-guided tour costs $20 for adults and $10 for children ages 4-14. There is no charge for active duty military or first responders. You can also book a VIP tour for $35 which gives you a detailed view of the car collection.

12. Elliott Museum

📍 City: Stuart
💻 Website: https://hsmc-fl.com/

The Elliott Museum is the cultural hub of the community, with a collection of vintage cars, amongst other things. The Wheels Of Change exhibition will wow you, with more than 50 vehicles on display. The museum actually houses one of the biggest collections of historic Ford Model A and Model AA vehicles.

The three-level car racking system at the Elliott Museum is the only one of its kind in an American museum. It will certainly wow visitors! As well as cars, there are classic boats, boat models, and a full account of local maritime history.

Elliott Museum is in the top 10% of things to do in Stuart and has been awarded a Travelers’ Choice Award in 2022. Tickets are $16 for adults, $14 for seniors, and $10 for children aged 6-12.

13. The Collection On Palmetto

📍 City: Clearwater
💻 Website: https://collectiononpalmetto.com/

The Collection On Palmetto is a beautiful museum of vintage automobiles and engines. The vehicles on display are from the years 1886 to 1952, showing just how far the method of transport advanced over that time.

You will be able to see the 1904 Cadillac Model B, 1906 Winton Model K, and 1914 Ford Model T, amongst others. You can sit in a 1917 Dodge and find out why electric cars were important, way back in the early 1900s!

There are frequent events at The Collection On Palmetto, including second Saturday family fun and a speaker series that includes museum admission and refreshments. Admission for adults is $12 and it’s $10 for children, seniors, and veterans.

14. The Classic Car Museum of St. Augustine

📍 City: St. Augustine
💻 Website: https://www.ccmstaug.com/

The Classic Car Museum Of St. Augustine is one of the top things to do in the area. With 30,000 square feet of space, visitors can enjoy looking at vehicles from the 1800s to modern-day sports machines.

The automotive museum was opened to “help bring memories back to life as only Classic Cars can do.”

There are frequent events throughout the year including Cars & Coffee and the St. Augustine Cruisers Annual Car Show. Admission is $15 + tax per adult and children aged under 12 are free!

15. The Museum at Ragtops

📍 City: Lake Worth Beach
💻 Website: https://ragtopspalmbeach.com/

If you are looking for nostalgia, The Museum at Ragtops certainly sends you back into the past. You will discover incredible vintage cars, along with a plethora of memorabilia, including signs, posters, neon, and music to keep you moving through the museum.

The car inventory is ever-changing as the cars are for sale, however, you might see a 1950 Packard Deluxe Sedan, a 1956 Ford Thunderbird, and a 1941 Plymouth Convertible.

Opening hours are 10:00-17:00, Wednesday through Saturday. There is also a gift shop if you want to buy a piece of Ragtops to take home with you.