Dog-Friendly Car Museums

Posted by Delaney Lindquist

If your furry co-pilot loves a good road trip, get his engine revving with a trip to a car museum. From horse-drawn carriages to drag cars and artfully decorated jalopies to the Batmobile, these galleries take car enthusiasts on two legs and four on a drive down memory lane. Buckle Fido’s seat belt and race off to one of these pet-friendly car museums across the U.S.

Snook's Dream Cars

Bowling Green, OH
A blast to the past! Photo by Facebook.com/Snook's Dream Cars

Step back in time with your pup at Snook's Dream Cars, an automotive museum in Bowling Green, OH. Enjoy walking through an extensive collection of cars and memorabilia from the 1930s through the 1970s. This museum sets itself apart because every car you will see on display is still in working condition! You’ll also find a collection of model and toy cars, die-cast banks, signs, advertising items, oil cans, period auto accessories, pedal cars and much more. And don’t miss the photo ops at the recreated 1940s-era Texaco gas station on the property, too. Your furry co-pilot is welcome to join you as long as he remains leashed.

Once you’ve become motor masters, you and Fido can head to Slippery Elm Trail to burn off any steam you have left. Then, spend the night with your pup nearby at Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Bowling Green.

Art Car World

Douglas, AZ
A car cool enough for a canine! Photo by Facebook.com/Art Car World

Bring your furry friend to see some funky wheels at Art Car World in Douglas, AZ! The museum is home to a collection of eclectic cars that are sure to catch your eye, like the Coltmobile, a Buick Skylark covered with 1,045 little horses, or the California Fantasy Van which is encased in over 5,000 brass items and $15,000 in coins. And, before the Google Street View car, there was the Camera Van, which Art Car World founder Harrod Blank spent two years decorating with 2,700 cameras. Browse their permanent collection of 42 popular art cars, as well as the rotating exhibits with Fido by your side.

After your day at the museum, cruise down the road with your canine to another unique rig, The Javelina Hitchhiker Travel Trailer, where you and your pup can kick back for the night.

Tallahassee Automobile Museum

Tallahassee, FL
“One ticket “paw”lease!” Photo by Facebook.com/TallahasseeAutomobileMuseum

Share your love of cars with your canine at the Tallahassee Automobile Museum in Florida. Browse over 160 cars on display ranging from an 1860s horse-drawn funeral hearse to three Batmobiles! There are also over 20 national champion cars for you to check out with your champ. Automobiles are just the beginning of what you’ll discover at this museum. You can also enjoy browsing collections of antique machines, fishing lures, baseball cards, dolls and even Steinway pianos!

Spend the night nearby at Staybridge Suites Tallahassee I-10 East, where Fido will enjoy a walking path and treats.

Four States Auto Museum

Texarkana, AR
Cruise through classic cars with your canine! Photo by Facebook.com/fourstatesautomuseum

Walk through automotive history with Fido at the Four States Auto Museum in Texarkana, AR. Enjoy browsing the classic cars that span across 100 years of automotive history with your leashed canine. Among the highlights of the collection are a Ford Model T and Model A, a Nash Metropolitan, a Studebaker dragster and a 1954 Chevrolet Bel Air. The collection features over 20 rotating cars on display, and each exhibit features information sheets with interesting facts so you and your pooch can leave with a wealth of knowledge. Four States Auto Museum is open on Saturdays and Sundays and there is no admission fee.

If you’re hungry after your day at the museum, head down the street to Hopkins Icehouse to dine with your pup. End the night nearby at the pet-friendly Hilton Garden Inn Texarkana.

Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing

Ocala, FL
Can’t slow these pups down! Photo by Jennifer Hnidy

Bring your leashed pup with you to learn about one of America’s most loved motorsports at Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing in Ocala, FL. Enjoy walking through drag racing history with your furry friend in the car museum, then check out the on-site drag strip and maybe catch some action! In addition to race days, other pet-friendly events and car shows take place at the museum throughout the year. Stop by the gift shop on your way out and grab a commemorative pet bandana for Fido.

Spend the night next door at Sleep Inn & Suites Ocala Belleview, a pet-friendly hotel with a grassy area on the property for Fido to enjoy.

Estes-Winn Antique Car Museum

Asheville, NC
A Ford for Fido! Photo by Facebook.com/GrovewoodVillage

Be transported back in time with your pup at the Estes-Winn Antique Car Museum in Asheville, NC! This museum is home to several vintage automobiles including a 1922 American La France fire truck, a 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham, horse-drawn carriages, and more. Be sure to make a stop at Grovewood Village, a pet-friendly art gallery on the same property, before you leave. They offer two floors of handmade jewelry, pottery, glass, original paintings, sculptures and more for you to enjoy.

The Estes-Winn Antique Car Museum is open April-December and admission is donation based. Spend the night across the street at The Omni Grove Park Inn and enjoy convenient pet relief areas and waste stations on the property.

Cooter’s Place Nashville

Nashville, TN
A photo op for the pups! Photo by Facebook.com/CootersNashville

Calling all Dukes of Hazard fans! Bring your pup to Cooter's Place Nashville to see the cars and memorabilia from the popular 1980s TV show. You can see Cooter’s Tow Truck, Daisy’s Jeep, Rosco’s Patrol Car, and General Lee, the 1969 Dodge Charger which has achieved iconic status among fans of the show. Make sure to take advantage of the many photo opportunities before you leave, so you can remember your day out with Fido!

After you’ve worked up an appetite, grab a bite to eat across the street at Music City Bar and Grill, a pet-friendly American restaurant. Spend the night nearby at Hyatt Place Opryland.

Pioneer Auto Show

Murdo, SD
“We’d look good driving these!” Photo by BringFido/Kelly

Pioneer Auto Show in Murdo, SD claims that no visit to the museum is the same as the last. The ever-changing exhibits at this pet-friendly automobile gallery range from a 1902 curved-dash Oldsmobile to a 1999 Plymouth Prowler and everything in between. Bring Fido along to see over 275 classic cars, explore more than 16 historic buildings and get up close to 60 antique tractors. Take your pup along on a self-guided tour of the car, tractor or motorcycle collections. Before you call it a day, explore the streets of the turn-of-the-century Prairie Town and take advantage of all the photo ops!

Speaking of prairie towns, after your tour, grab dinner at The Covered Wagon Café. Then spend the night nearby at Best Western Graham’s.

Have you visited a car museum with your dog? Leave a comment or tweet us @BringFido!

Banner photo by Facebook.com/GrovewoodVillage.