Growing up, I never really understood the romance some people have with their cars. I have always considered a vehicle a means simply to go from one spot to another. My view changed when I finally got my license and discovered that owning a car also meant owning a lot of freedom.
Although I appreciate car ownership, I still see any vehicle, especially the one I own, as a tool for travel. I do not ooh and aah when it comes to cars, nor do I freak out at scratches or dirt. Cars are akin to toasters, except with a car I can get toast from any city I want to explore.
I have always understood that people are fascinated by cars and Orangeville, the town where I live, used to have a car rally once a year. People would flock to see all the various makes and models that people have owned and to see what modifications they may have done.
I didn’t care.
I still don’t care.
It is just a car.
Then we started to travel. We discovered museums and all the wonders they hold. Occasionally, there would be classic cars on display. My first real memory of viewing an old-fashioned car was at Casa Loma. We weren’t there for the cars, but rather for the castle. Seeing a few of the vintage automobiles had barely left an impression on me.
The Frick – Visited July 5, 2022
Then we travelled to The Frick in Pittsburgh. We were visiting this location to view the heritage home, but as we waited, they had a vintage automobile section that we chose to explore. Initially, I wasn’t expecting much. A car is a car no matter when it was built or driven by who.
Then I discovered I was wrong. Cars are museum pieces in themselves. Each vehicle had a small fact sheet and I read these. I started to appreciate the significance that these “tools” have on some people. I began to really enjoy looking at these relics of the past. Seeing what is common in this displayed vehicle and what I have in my own current car and what features are missing, or present. I liked this exploration and learning about cars.
Studebaker National Museum – Visited August 8, 2023
A year would pass after visiting The Frick when we visited another heritage home with a car museum attached. I heard about Studebaker as a kid. People still owned those cars even though the company went out of business many years prior. This reliability and longevity attest to the quality of a Studebaker. It was at this museum that I decided visiting car museums was something I should seriously consider and not casually skip.
When we arrived at this location, we had a tour of the mansion but it wasn’t for an hour. I decided we should visit the car section. I figured we could use up about 30 minutes and then decide what to do. Instead, we used the entire hour and another hour after the mansion tour.
The museum was set in chronological order. First, the Studebaker family made quality wagons for horses. Then autos started to appear and they were one of the only wagon companies to switch to cars. The museum took us on a history of the family and of the company.
I became enthralled. I wanted to learn more and when we got to the end where the museum talked of the demise of Studebaker, we were heartbroken. I had never been moved by the story of an automaker before and wished that they were still around.
Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum – Visited March 29, 2024
Again, as a kid, I would occasionally use the phrase, “It’s a Duesy” without really understanding where it came from or what it really meant. Duesy was short for Duesenberg and if it was a Duesy, it meant that it was a quality-built automobile. This was the first car-related museum that I intentionally decided to check out and I structured my trip planning for that day around this location. I like to have one big place to see each day we travel and this Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum was the very first time I centered our day around cars.
The cars were stunning. The showroom where these stunning cars were on display was the most stunning we had ever seen. Then there was an upstairs. Plus there was a separate museum about trucks and other types of cars around the back. This place impressed me. And once again I was saddened by the fact these cars are no longer made. Today’s vehicles all look alike with little distinction between the colours and even the competing brands.
Seal Cove Auto Museum – Visited July 20, 2024
This was a great museum. It did not feature one brand of cars, but a selection of classic vehicles. It focused on the history of automobiles, automakers, and even advertising. It is a unique exploration of the past. Seal Cove Auto Museum was another place where we spent a lot of time looking and reading.
Grice Clearfield Community Museum – Visited June 7, 2024
Nothing in the name “Community Museum” hints at the collection of cars it holds. Add that with a large number of taxidermy, and you get the most unique car collection we have visited to date.
When we toured this museum, we walked around it twice, in opposite directions, just to make sure we didn’t miss anything. It is a great collection and even has sheets to take away in case you want to learn more after leaving.
Other car places we had either accidentally discovered when I was not so passionate about cars, or after discovering the sheer artistic value of vehicles include these places:
Casa Loma – Visited July 13, 2017
This trip would have marked my third time at this location, but it was Charlene’s first. There is a small car collection across the street from the Casa. It is accessible by taking a tunnel under the road.
Ontario Provincial Police Museum – Visited July 29, 2019
A free museum dedicated to the history of the OPP. Free to get in but bring ID for security clearance. There is a small collection of vehicles on display.
Grey Roots Museum and Archives – Visited August 10, 2019
A large, outdoor heritage village which also displays a variety of farming equipment and classic cars. This place is more about the heritage of the area and the buildings than it is about the cars.
Simcoe County Museum – Visited October 7, 2019
This museum just kept on going and going. An extensive look at local history with an indoor, traditional-style museum, a large outdoor heritage village with all the buildings accessible, followed by an incredible collection of industrial vehicles of every size, type and purpose.
Cawley & Peoples Mortuary Museum – Visited June 28, 2022
A fascinating look at the funeral business and the vehicles they once used and even a collection of other funerary items. Plus, it was free to visit, provided there was no funeral happening.
New York State Museum – Visited December 30, 2022
A free museum that is well worth the visit. Only a small collection of vehicles, but one that came from the rubble of 9/11 is worth seeing.
Fort Nelson Heritage Museum – Visited July 12, 2023
There is a lot to see in this local museum. Be sure to check what is outside and to see the collection of artifacts from the local area.
Dawson City Fire Fighters Museum – Visited July 15, 2023
For many, it will be a long drive to get to this Yukon museum. A small collection of fire trucks that the city owned through the years.
Yukon Transportation Museum – Visited July 21, 2023
Just as far away as Dawson City Fire Fighter Museum is this one dedicated to various vehicles used in Yukon. No cars, but there is a collection that will include something you have never seen before.
Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate – Visited October 13, 2023
A great tour of a mansion of what was the richest man alive of his time. There is a garage which features some of the cars that he had owned.
Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation – Visited December 17, 2023
It will take most of the day to tour this museum. There are cars of all makes and models and of particular importance in this vast museum. A top-notch museum.
The State Museum of Pennsylvania – Visited December 27, 2023
A great state museum featuring a lot of the history of Pennsylvania. There is a worthy collection of cars here.
Crawford Auto Aviation Museum – Visited February 24, 2024
Includes everything from planes, motorcycles and cars. There are several highly recommended museums all within walking distance of this location. It is well worth the visit.
Ford House – Visited April 14, 2024
The man who pioneered the assembly line had a collection of cars. Some of these are one of a kind. There is a surprisingly small collection of cars in the garage of his mansion. Greenfield Village, a passion of his, is worth visiting to see some original Model T’s in operation, and maybe you can get a ride in one.
Canadian Automotive Museum – Visited May 4, 2024
A great selection of cars. The building it is in is nothing to look at, but the focus is on the vehicles. Lightning McQueen is featured here.
Canadian Tank Museum – Visited May 4, 2024
A relatively short distance from the Canadian Automotive Museum is this museum that has lots of tanks. Have a look inside to see how cramped some of these tanks are. At events, tank rides are featured.
The Bicycle Museum of America – Visited November 22, 2024
Not one car in this location, but it is filled with bicycles. Who would have thought bicycles were as fascinating as cars. Come here and see the history and collection of bikes from around the world.
Snook’s Dream Cars – Visited November 22, 2024
Featuring a museum dedicated to Texaco, there are some really nice cars in the back.
Carillon Historical Park – Visited November 23, 2024
A wonderful heritage village will notable vehicles located throughout. Well worth the visit, especially at Christmas.
Air Zoo Aerospace and Science Museum – Visited December 31, 2024
Featuring mainly a collection of American aviation, there are a few cars, some are rather interesting and unique.
National Corvette Museum – Visited March 9, 2025
I am not into sports cars but after visiting this place dedicated to the history and development of this iconic brand, I wanted to buy several. A great place for those who are fans. A lot of history, displays and clearly a great display of pride too.
Lane Motor Museum
You will definitely find cars that you have never seen before. Each one displayed is a one-of-a-kind or was in limited production. A fun place to see weird cars,
- Check out All The Places We Have Been to this location and many others that may be close to your home.
- After visiting these museums, you will forever see how boring our roads are now with such generic cars.
