Trip ideas while visiting Tacoma in Washington
LeMay - America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, Washington is one of the largest automotive museums in North America, housing an extraordinary collection of more than 350 vintage vehicles spread across a four-story, 165,000-square-foot facility. The museum celebrates the passion and legacy of Harold E. LeMay, a Tacoma entrepreneur whose private collection of automobiles once earned a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest privately owned car collection in the world. Located adjacent to the Tacoma Dome, the museum serves as a premier destination for car enthusiasts, families, and anyone fascinated by the art, engineering, and cultural significance of the automobile.
The story of LeMay - America’s Car Museum begins with Harold E. LeMay, who founded a successful waste management company in Tacoma and used his fortune to amass an astonishing collection of more than 3,000 automobiles over his lifetime. LeMay started collecting cars in the 1960s, driven by a genuine love for automotive history and a belief that these machines deserved to be preserved for future generations. His collection grew to include everything from classic Packards and Cadillacs to rare motorcycles, military vehicles, and even a few horse-drawn carriages, reflecting the full sweep of transportation history in America.
After LeMay’s passing in 2000, his wife Nancy and the LeMay family worked closely with the City of Tacoma and the America’s Automotive Trust to create a permanent home for the collection. The museum opened its doors in June 2012, designed by the architectural firm Alan Grant Architecture and Planning with a striking modern exterior that evokes motion and speed. The facility was intentionally built to accommodate a rotating display of vehicles, as the collection is far too large to exhibit all at once. This approach keeps the experience fresh for repeat visitors and ensures that every trip to the museum offers something new to discover.
Visitors to LeMay - America’s Car Museum are greeted by a stunning four-story atrium filled with vehicles arranged on sweeping ramps that spiral upward through the building. The museum organizes its exhibits into several themed galleries, each offering a distinct perspective on automotive history. The Signature Gallery features the crown jewels of the collection, including meticulously restored Duesenbergs, Pierce-Arrows, and classic Ferraris from the golden age of motoring. The Route 66 Gallery immerses visitors in the nostalgia of the American road trip, complete with vintage roadside diner signs, gas station memorabilia, and cars from the 1950s and 1960s that defined an era of freedom and exploration.
The British Invasion Gallery celebrates iconic marques from across the Atlantic, showcasing Jaguars, Austin-Healeys, and Rolls-Royces that captivated American drivers in the postwar decades. The Speed Zone gallery is dedicated to the pursuit of performance, displaying Indy 500 race cars, land speed record vehicles, and other machines built for the sheer thrill of going fast. Children and families will appreciate the Family Zone, which offers interactive exhibits and hands-on activities that introduce younger visitors to the basics of automotive engineering and design. Throughout the museum, interpretive panels and multimedia displays provide historical context, explaining the technological innovations, design trends, and cultural forces that shaped each era of automotive history.
Beyond the permanent galleries, LeMay - America’s Car Museum hosts a vibrant calendar of rotating special exhibitions that explore specific themes, manufacturers, or eras in greater depth. Recent exhibitions have focused on subjects such as the history of BMW design, the evolution of the American muscle car, and the artistry of custom coachbuilding in the early 20th century. The museum also participates in Hagerty DriveShare, a program that allows visitors to rent classic cars for a day and experience these historic vehicles on the open road, turning a museum visit into a true hands-on adventure.
The museum is a hub for automotive events throughout the year. The annual Pacific Northwest Concours d’Elegance draws collectors and enthusiasts from across the country, featuring judged competitions, vendor displays, and exclusive vehicle unveilings. Regular cars and coffee gatherings bring local car clubs to the museum parking lot, creating an informal and welcoming atmosphere where visitors can chat with owners and admire everything from restored Thunderbirds to modern supercars. For those interested in the preservation side of the hobby, the museum’s Education Center offers workshops and demonstrations on topics such as automotive restoration, detailing, and the history of automotive manufacturing processes.
LeMay - America’s Car Museum is open year-round, but the best times to visit are during spring (April through June) and fall (September through October) when the Pacific Northwest enjoys mild temperatures and the museum’s event calendar is at its busiest. Summer months bring larger crowds and the most active slate of special exhibitions, while the quieter winter season offers a more relaxed experience with shorter lines and more time to absorb the collection at your own pace. The annual Pacific Northwest Concours d’Elegance in June is one of the most exciting times to visit, combining the standing museum collection with an influx of rare and significant cars from private collections across the region. The museum is easily accessible from Interstate 5, with ample parking available on site and direct connections to public transit via the Tacoma Link Light Rail, which stops at the nearby Tacoma Dome station.