Some kids like to play with dinosaurs and dolls, sea animals or musical instruments. Others, like my son, mostly want to play with just one thing: cars. Yes, my son is obsessed with vehicles (but especially cars), and has been since he could start showing a preference for toys. His favorite movies are from the Cars franchise (followed closely by Turbo—a movie about a racing snail that enters the Indy 500), he sleeps in a Lightning McQueen bed with a Cruz Ramirez plushie…you get the picture. If your kiddo is anything like mine, you might find yourself at local race tracks and car meet-ups. But if you’re looking for some truly car-centric spots for a bigger family vacation, check out these destinations in the United States for car-obsessed kids.
1. Daytona International Speedway, Daytona, FL
Where: 1801 W International Speedway Blvd, Daytona Beach, FL
This is the spot for junior NASCAR fans. Take kids on a Speedway tour—where they’ll get to ride in a tram along the track—or join them on the lengthier All-Access Tour (which might be better suited for older kiddos). Visit the on-site museum (Motorsports Hall of Fame of America) while you’re at it, and, of course, bring ear protection on race days so your child can truly enjoy some live racing.
2. Henry Ford Museum, Dearborn, MI
Where: 20900 Oakwood Boulevard, Dearborn, MI
If you’d like to add a few history lessons in with your auto-themed vacation, there’s no place quite like the Henry Ford Museum. Car lovers can explore the Driving America exhibit, which features numerous classic and wholly unique vehicles. But there’s more than just artifacts to this destination: you’ll also get to experience living history in the museum’s Greenfield Village. Ride in a Model T and a steam-powered locomotive, encounter artisan glassblowing and pottery making and see what life was like on a farm in the 1800s.
3. Cars Land at Disney California Adventure Park, Anaheim, CA
Where: 1313 South Harbor Blvd, Anaheim, CA
Where: No destination will ever top Cars Land for a kiddo who can’t get enough of Cruz, Lightning, and good ol’ Mater. The Radiator Springs Racers ride is undoubtedly the crown jewel of the park—kiddos can literally ride inside a car that takes them through the same “desert” McQueen cruises in the movies. Plus, visitors can refuel at Flo’s V8 Cafe and take pics with the Cars gang.,
4. Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Speedway, IN
Where: 4790 W 16th St, Indianapolis, IN
The home of the world-renowned Indy 500, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is practically sacred for the true racing enthusiast. Children will enjoy the on-site race car museum (representing IndyCar, Formula One, NASCAR, and then some), but they’ll be forever changed once they see some cars hit the track. If you live in the area or plan to visit a few times, spring for a membership to their kids’ club, which includes a t-shirt, tire-shaped tote bag, free admission (with a paid adult) to all racing events, special gifts and more.
5. Petersen Automotive Museum, Los Angeles, CA
Where: 6060 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA
From the moment they arrive, your kids will be spellbound by the Petersen Automotive Museum. Not only is it incredibly cool to look at, architecturally speaking, but once you’re inside, you’re bound to see dozens of unique vehicles, many straight from the silver screen. Among those that will delight your children: the Batmobiles, the DeLorean from Back to the Future (on display through May 2020), and, of course, Mr. Ka-Chow himself: Lightning McQueen. The Cars star is part of their interactive Cars Mechanical Institute, where kids can race toy cars and more. Don’t miss the CARSpad Experience, a build-your-own car iPad adventure!
6. Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo, TX
Where: 13651 I-40 Frontage Rd, Amarillo, TX
Just along the famed Route 66 (yet another holy place for driving-enthusiasts) you’ll find this bizarre public art installation featuring a series of Cadillacs as the subject. The cars-slash-sculptures are meant to be defaced, so if you’ve got older kids, feel free to bring some spray paint and help them leave a mark.
7. America’s Car Museum, Tacoma, WA
Where: 2702 E D St, Tacoma, WA
This massive car museum sprawls more than 165,000-square-feet (plus, a three-and-a-half acre show field) and features hundreds of vehicles, from classics to custom. Junior racers can explore the Family Zone, complete with “driving” opportunities, an art station, a pinewood car track to race on and more. Check out all the rotating exhibits—and don’t forget to test your skills at the Speed Zone racing simulator or slot car track before you go.
8. Old Car City USA, White, GA
Where: 3098 US-411, White, GA
You’ve never been to a junkyard quite like this one. Founded in 1931, this off-the-beaten-path open-air “museum” features more than 4,000 vintage, American-made automobiles in various states of wear. It’s the kind of place you could take kids to again and again (and littles under six are free!). Your kiddos will love running around this 34-acre vehicular wonderland. There’s also a small art gallery to explore on-site (if your children will let you go inside, that is).
9. National Corvette Museum, Bowling Green, KY
Where: 350 Corvette Drive, Bowling Green, KY
Corvettes are known for being genuinely cool cars, and at the National Corvette Museum, kiddos can check out more than 75 of these super sweet racers. Youngsters eight and under will love hanging out in the newly revamped KidZone, where they’re welcome to design, build and test race cars. On Fridays in July and August, they offer Corvette rides for an additional fee, and just down the street is the museum’s Motorsports Park that offers hot lap rides in Corvettes, touring laps where you can drive a Corvette yourself and high-speed go-karts!
10. Carhenge, Alliance, NE
Where: 2151 Co Rd 59, Alliance, NE
Carhenge is a fun roadside attraction that your car-captivated child will truly enjoy. This free (!) outdoor car art installation was built in 1987 and features 39 vehicles placed strategically to replicate the original Stonehenge. The adjacent Car Art Reserve also features plenty of interesting sculptures created out of old vehicles. Kiddos will dig running and playing around these giant metal creations and taking plenty of photos.
