Road Trippin’: Must-Visit Auto Museums in Florida
I’m sure it comes as no surprise to you that Florida boasts a rich motorsports heritage. Home to the Daytona International Speedway and Gainesville Raceway—which, each year, host the most prestigious NASCAR and NHRA events, respectively—the Sunshine State’s affair with burnt rubber and high-octane fuel has endured for so long, it’s baked into the local culture.
But Florida’s need for speed dates back further than you might think. Like, way further—to the early 1900s.
Because it was back then that rich socialites from north of the Mason Dixon would escape each winter to the east coast of Florida. Seeking warm weather and some R&R, they also found plenty of hard-packed sand upon which to race their brand-new toys. Land speed records were set (and broken), organized racing began to take shape, and the groundwork was laid for a pretty impressive state-wide appreciation for automotive history.
Which is really just a long way of saying that Florida has a LOT of auto museums!
So, in service to you, we have rounded up the best-of-the-best auto museums in Florida. Some, you’re likely familiar with, while others are barely a step above a roadside attraction. But each one offers a unique lens through which to view the rich history that automobiles have experienced in our country—and particularly, in Florida.
The Route
While these locations are presented as if you were driving in a giant U-shape heading south from Tallahassee, turning east in Naples, north in Fort Lauderdale, and ending just outside Daytona, consider this road trip more of a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure style experience. Each and every one of these auto museums is an easy-on, easy-off stop from Florida’s two major interstates: I-75 and I-95. That means, you can conveniently pick and choose which ones you want to visit.
So, without further ado, here is The Engine Block’s list of must-visit auto museums in Florida.
Tallahassee Automobile Museum
Starting in the largest city in the panhandle, the Tallahassee Automobile Museum is home to over 160 rare, historic, and unique automobiles from around the world. Located just off I-10, it’s a great way to start your introduction to Florida’s auto history, featuring everything from steam-powered vehicles to high-powered exotics.
Keeping with tradition, over 20 of the vehicles on display are national champion cars. There’s also a wide array of other vintage Americana, from knives and cash registers to telephones and baseball cards.
Admission: $20/person with discounts for Veterans, Active Military, and Seniors
Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing
Hop on I-75 and head about 3 hours south to Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing, a Florida tourist complex in Ocala. With nearly 300 cars and a pack rat’s accumulation of memorabilia, visitors can get a true insider’s look at the history of drag racing. Home to the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame, this is a must-see for fans of “Big Daddy” Don Garlits and rocket starts down the quarter-mile.
Admission: $20/person
Tampa Bay Automobile Museum
While the collection at the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum may be small—it is certainly unique. Featuring vintage rides from around the world that “demonstrate special creativity and imagination in their history and engineering,” you’re sure to be entertained at what’s on display. From the jaw-dropping to the ‘What were they thinking?’ this little collection packs a big punch.
Admission: $12/person
Sarasota Classic Car Museum
Recognized as the second-oldest continuously operating antique car museum in the U.S., the Sarasota Classic Car Museum plays host to over 75 display vehicles from around the world, as well as monthly musical, comedy, and theater events. The collection changes on a regular basis, so it’s rare you’ll see the same thing twice!
Admission: $18/person
Looking for a weird side trip? We got you! Check out the winter estates of Henry Ford and Thomas Edison—pioneering inventors and best buds—before you hit your next destination.
Naples Depot Museum
While focusing more on trade and travel over the years, this sweet little gem on Florida’s Gulf Coast is a nice short stopover before you head northeast. Set in a restored Seaboard Air Line Railway passenger station, the Naples Depot Museum boasts an antique swamp buggy, restored rail cars, as well as a few other vintage and classic rides.
Admission: FREE
Dauer Museum of Classic Cars
Take a stroll down memory lane when you visit the Dauer Museum of Classic Cars in Sunrise, Florida. This unique spot showcases over 55 classic cars in pristine condition from 1906 to 2020, including Buick, Cadillac, Chryslers, Rolls Royce, Bentley, and several European and Italian cars. Plus, they feature other parts of America’s stunning history, varying from memorabilia, devices, science, and technology.
Admission: $20/person with no charge for Duty Military and First Responders
Fort Lauderdale Swap Shop
This 14-screen drive-in movie theater doubles as the largest daily flea market in the world… and also boasts an impressive Ferrari museum. Truly a one-of-a-kind spot, the Fort Lauderdale Swap Shop is a real must-see among Florida auto museums.
Admission: FREE
Elliot Museum
Continuing up I-95 N, don’t miss a chance to tour the Elliot Museum, “a Treasure on the Treasure Coast.”
While featuring a significant collection of classic cars, trucks, bikes, boats, and a host of other memorabilia, true auto enthusiasts will likely find tributes to the founder of the museum more interesting than any one item. Sterling Elliot held more than 125 patents, including those for the sulky wheel with a pneumatic tire, the ball bearing, and the steering knuckle—the last of which effectively solved the issue of unequal turning of a vehicle’s front wheels and changed the future of auto engineering.
Admission: $16/person
American Police Hall of Fame & Museum
As you make your way to Orlando, consider a stop at the American Police Hall of Fame & Museum. Featuring tributes to the men and women who have dedicated their lives to others’ safety, it boasts nearly 11,000 exhibits and artifacts relating to law enforcement—including some impressive classic rides.
Admission: $13/person with discounts for LEOs, Military Personnel, and Family Survivors
Orlando Auto Museum
The Orlando Auto Museum (formerly the Miami Auto Museum) plays host to one of the world’s largest collections of Hollywood Cars, 007 James Bond vehicles, Microcars, and Vespa Scooters. Also on display are a variety of classic, vintage, international, and military rides as well as motorcycles and memorabilia. Located inside Dezerland Park, an indoor play zone complete with arcade games and a climbing wall, visitors can enjoy all-day fun in addition to the “auto experience.”
Admission: $24.95/person with discounts for Military and Seniors
Living Legends of Auto Racing Museum
As you make your way to Daytona, you’ll be able to feel NASCAR culture in the air. The Living Legends of Auto Racing Museum serves as an excellent location to focus that energy. Sporting a unique collection on historic race cars and hundreds of vintage photos and artifacts, as well as hosting special events and guest speakers, this is a must-see for fans of classic speed.
Admission: FREE
Daytona 500 Tours
While not technically an auto museum, you can’t take a car-themed tour through Daytona and not stop at THE Daytona International Speedway. Tour types and admission prices vary, so click here for a detailed list of what kind of access each pricing tier gets you.
Ormond & New Smyrna Beaches
Before you make your way to wherever it is you call home, make a point to stop off in Ormond Beach, the original “Birthplace of Speed,” to visit the replica of the “Gasoline Alley” Ormond Garage. And take a quick zip down US-1 to New Smyrna beach, to ride your vehicle on the wide, hard-packed sands, like the newbie racing enthusiasts of the early 1900s. This is, in fact, where it all started over a century ago—so it seems like a fitting end for our state-wide road trip.
We tried to do her justice. Are there any auto museums in Florida that you love and we missed? Let us know in the comments below!
