One Of The Best Automobile Museums In The Country Is Right Here In Nevada

The National Automobile Museum, located in Reno, is among the best automobile museums in the U.S. Founded following the death of Bill Harrah (of Harrah's Hotel and Casino fame) in 1978, his more than 1,400 vehicles were purchased by Holiday Inn (that also purchased all Harrah properties) in 1980. Following plans to sell the collection, a public outcry led to Holiday Inn donating 178 vehicles for the future museum. The National Automobile Museum officially opened on 5 November 1989 and has been one of Reno's mainstays and among its most popular attractions.

The National Automobile Museum was selected as one of the ten best transportation museums in the United States in USA Today's Readers' Choice 2016 Competition as well as one of AutoWeek's America’s Five Greatest Automobile Museums in March 2012.

More than two million people visit the museum each year. This nonprofit organization was originally created for educational purposes and its mission is to collect and preserve automobiles for future generations. Additionally, the museum is completely self-sustaining, relying on donations, grants, and sponsorships.

Over 200 vintage, classic, special-interest vehicles, rare and one-of-a-kind autos, lively race cars, and horseless carriages are housed in the museum. The majority of vehicles are from the late Bill Harrah's private collection.

The layout of the museum is unique and interesting with vehicles of a particular era correlating to their displays.

The museum boasts several ongoing exhibits such as the 1908 New York to Paris Auto Race.

Among the ongoing exhibits are celebrity vehicles such as the 1949 Mercury James Dean drove in "Rebel Without A Cause."

Each vehicle has a handy information sheet/plaque providing interesting information.

Racing fans will love the broad assortment of unique and dynamic racecars.

A vintage fire truck.

Car enthusiasts could really get lost in here for hours.

What would an automobile museum be without a history of the gas station and various pumps over the years?

It's always a great day to take the family to the museum.

From the audio tour to the self-guided tour to fun and informative group tours, a day at this renowned Reno museum should be high atop your list for some summer family fun. The National Automobile Museum is located at 10 Lake Street in Reno and can be reached at (775) 333-9300.