These Famous Cars Await You On International Museum Day

There are more than 100,000 museums throughout the world, according to UNESCO. If the auto industry is the type of museum you're looking for on International Museum Day, you don't want to miss this car museum that spans a full city block.

Car museums allow us to glimpse the past and see how the auto industry has evolved. They aim to educate the public on the history of cars and the impact they've had while providing information on the latest and greatest automobiles. It also allows those with a passion for all things cars to unite with like-minded individuals.

To identify the most fascinating car museums in the world, 24/7 Tempo consulted several car-concentrated sites as well as news stations. We also looked at reviews, commentary, and discussions around the varying car museums and determined what each museum contains to determine the largest collections.

This post was updated May 17, 2025 to reflect additional information.

Here are the most fascinating car museums in the world.

• Location: Dearborn, Michigan, US

The Henry Ford Museum in Michigan is a must-see for any automobile fan or history buff. In the Driving America exhibit, you can explore the history of Ford and learn more about some of the most significant historical automobiles.

• Location: Los Angeles, California, US

If you're looking for a wide selection of automobiles, you'll find it at The Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California. The museum building is so big that it takes up an entire city block, and is home to many incredible vehicles like the DeLorean from the "Back to the Future" films and the 1989 Batmobile.

• Location: The Hague, Netherlands

The Louwman Museum is home to the largest vehicle collections in the Netherlands. You can discover over 100 years of progress and view their collection of 275 vehicles. This museum has the oldest private collection of historic cars in the world, with vehicles from 16 different countries.

• Location: Stuttgart, Germany

At the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany, you can explore the history and evolution of Mercedes-Benz. The museum has nine levels with over 1,500 different exhibits, showcasing both vintage cars and futuristic vehicles.

• Location: Stuttgart, Germany

Few brands are as iconic as Porsche, and at The Porsche Museum in Germany, you can experience the brand's legacy through a series of interactive exhibits. Established in 1976, the museum has significantly expanded and now features over 80 exhibits.

• Location: Munich, Germany

The BMW Museum in Munich, Germany, attracts visitors from all across the globe. At this museum, you can experience all that BMW has to offer. Some of the permanent exhibits include the House of Design, House of Company, and the House of the Motorcycle.

• Location: Maranello, Italy

The Ferrari Museum in Maranello, Italy, is home to a vast collection of Ferrari models, including vintage and modern vehicles. You'll find exhibits displaying the evolution of Ferrari over time as well as the development of their Formula 1 racing models.

• Location: Nagoya, Japan

At the Toyota Automobile Museum, you can see some of the best Toyota vehicles as well as other vehicles from other manufacturers on display. Highlights include the Cadillac Model Thirty from 1912 and the Ford Model T from 1909.

• Location: Tacoma, Washington, US

America's Car Museum in Tacoma, Washington is a 165,000-square-foot facility with 12 exhibits. This museum has been ranked as one of the top automotive museums by USA Today and local publications. The collection at America's Car Museum includes over 200 different automobiles.

• Location: Brookline, Massachusetts, US

The Larz Anderson Auto Museum in Brookline claims to have the oldest car collection in America. This museum was started by Larz and Isabel Anderson, a wealthy American diplomat and his wife. The Larz Anderson Auto Museum is located in the former Anderson home, and the museum's collection includes the first vehicle the Andersons purchased in 1899.

• Location: Birdwood, Australia

Explore the Australian automotive culture at the National Motor Museum in Birdwood. Established in 1964 and now owned by the South Australian Government, the museum has a vast collection of vehicles, including antique, veteran, and vintage cars, and motorcycles.

• Location: Hickory Corners, Michigan, US

The Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners, Michigan has one of the largest car collections in the US with over 400 vehicles. Since 1966, this museum has displayed a wide selection of cars. It's the largest automobile museum in the country with over 190,000 square feet of space stretched across 90 acres. They also have one of the largest collections of automotive mascots and hood ornaments.

• Location: Mulhouse, France

The Cité de l'Automobile in Mulhouse, France is a collection worth seeing. Their automobile collection is considered the largest in the world, having over 500 vehicles from a variety of different periods. The Cité de l'Automobile is in a former factory and includes a private track where you can test drive some of the classic vehicles.