5 Motorcycle Museums to Visit This Summer
As an Amazon Influencer, we earn from qualifying purchases you might make if you click any of the links on this page.
If you’re looking for an exciting road trip destination, look no further than these legendary motorcycle museums. Over a hundred years after it was first invented, the motorcycle has become an integral part of American culture.
From 1960s counterculture to the battlefields of WWI and WWII, these museums explore all the ways motorcycles have changed society over the years. Add these historic destinations to your spring itinerary to learn more about motorcycles past, present, and future.
Planning Your Trip
These museums are located all over the U.S., so you might have to do a bit of driving to get there. If you plan on motorcycling all the way there, use Bluetooth motorcycle speakers to navigate to your destination. They connect wirelessly to your GPS or smartphone, so you don’t have to keep looking down at your device. Mount your GPS on the handlebars to keep it in view while riding.
If you plan on traveling to the museum as a group, use a motorcycle Bluetooth headset to communicate while riding. You never know when someone might need to pull over and rest. The headset uses voice-activation, so you can send a message and talk freely without taking your eyes off the road.
Everyone in your group will need to use a Bluetooth headset to participate in the conversation. The device clips onto your full-face helmet to keep it within range. If someone in your group is using a half-face helmet or skull cap, they will need to use a half helmet Bluetooth headset with an adjustable boom microphone to mount the device.
Bring along a paper map of your route as well in case you get lost. Plan to stop along the way. Most riders can handle anywhere between 250 – 300 miles on average in one day, but it all depends on your comfort and experience level.
Best Motorcycle Museums
AMA Motorcycle Hall Of Fame Museum
Where: 13515 Yarmouth Dr, Pickerington, OH
When: Monday through Sunday 9 AM to 5 PM
It doesn’t get much better than the American Motorcycle Association’s Hall of Fame. It covers the complete history of the motorcycle with space dedicated to virtually every type of bike that’s ever existed, including motorcycle racing, stunts, off-roading, vintage models, and industry memorabilia. If you’re more interested in the actual design and construction of motorcycles, this is the place for you. Several exhibits detail the mechanics of different bikes, how they were used in various industries, and their contributions to society at large.
Wheels Through Time Motorcycle Museum
Where: 62 Vintage Ln, Maggie Valley, NC
When: Thursday through Monday 10 AM to 5 PM, closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays
The name says it all. This museum showcases over 300 rare and vintage motorcycles from back in the day. Each make and model represents a specific time and place. You might even catch the owner firing one up and driving it around. There’s over 38,000 square feet to explore with stunning scenery in every direction. If you make it to Wheels Through Time, be sure to explore the surrounding area before heading home. The museum is tucked away in the Smoky Mountains, so you might as well spend some time in nature. The area is filled with winding roads, hiking trails, and campsites, so you should have plenty of things to do while you’re there.
National Motorcycle Museum
Where: 102 Chamber Dr, Anamosa, IA
When: Monday through Sunday 9 AM to 5 PM
The national museum is a tribute to vintage motorcycles throughout the ages. Tucked in the middle of Iowa’s sprawling cornfields, it has a rural charm that will make you feel right at home. The museum features well-curated exhibitions that cover a range of interesting, if not lesser-known, topics, so you might want to check the schedule to see what will be on display. They currently have shows about farm motorcycles, 1920s gas stations, and early American transportation innovation.
Harley-Davidson Museum
Where: 400 West Canal Street, Milwaukee, WI
When: Monday through Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM
If you’re a truly Harley fan, you have to see the company’s ultimate tribute to itself. It’s a bit classier than some of the other museums on this list with the price tag to prove it. Once you get inside, you’ll see lavish interiors with some of the company’s best bikes on the display. There is also an expansive gift shop on the premises that will make any Harley lover swoon. Hit the onsite bar and restaurant for a delicious meal before you hit the road.
Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum
Where: 6030 Barber Motorsports Pkwy, Leeds, AL
When: Monday through Saturday 10 AM to 6PM and Sunday 12 PM to 6 PM
The largest motorcycle museum happens to be in Brimingham, Alabama. Walk inside and you’ll see a massive open-concept interior filled with stacks of vintage motorcycles. In all, the museum owns and displays over 900 makes and models from over the years, including sports and racing bikes. It’s dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of motorcycles throughout American history.
Motorcycle Museums Just for You!
Get in touch with your inner motorcycle and plan your visit to these motorcycle museums today!
