If you’re a car enthusiast, the world is full of destinations that cater to your passion for speed, design, and automotive history. Whether you’re looking to attend a thrilling car race, visit a prestigious auto museum, or drive on some of the most scenic and exciting roads, 2024 offers a plethora of options. Here are the best places to visit for car lovers this year.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Indiana)
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, known as the “racing capital of the world,” is the site of three of the most prestigious events in the world: the Indianapolis 500, Brickyard 400, and IndyCar Grand Prix. Built in 1909, the Speedway is located outside of Indianapolis and houses a race car collection that includes NASCAR, Formula One, IndyCars, Sprint, midget, and other race cars. It also has a museum.
Karakoram Highway (Pakistan)
The 1,300 km (810 mi) China-Pakistan Friendship Highway, also known as N-35, National Highway 35, or the Karakoram Highway, begins in Hasan Abdal, Punjab province, and ends at the Khunjerab Pass in Gilgit-Baltistan, where it crosses into China and becomes China National Highway 314.
The road is never ending, with mountains on both sides. It’s the best place and road for the car enthusiasts for a drive with scenes. The highway links China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region with the Pakistani provinces of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit-Baltistan. One of the world’s highest paved roads, the highway is a well-liked tourist destination that winds across the Karakoram Mountain range at 36°51′00′′N 75°25′40′′E, reaching a maximum elevation of 4,714 m (15,466 ft) close to Khunjerab Pass. Owing to its elevated location and the challenging circumstances surrounding its construction, it is frequently called the Eighth Wonder of the World. Additionally, the roadway is a section of Asian roadway AH4.
Peterson Automotive Museum (California)
One of the largest car museums in the world, the Peterson Automotive Museum takes up a whole block on LA’s Miracle Mile. More than 100 cars are on display in 25 galleries, with the remainder of the collection being kept safe in the website’s “vault.” Exhibits in the museum cover topics such as industrial engineering, motorbikes, racing, automotive artistry, and automotive history.
Bonneville Salt Flats Speedway (Utah)
The Bonneville Salt Flats, which cover 30,000 acres, are well-known for their speed. This place has seen the breaking of numerous land speed records, earning it the moniker “automotive heaven.” At 141.73 mph, the official land speed record was set in 1914. Since then, this location has broken the sound barrier and the records for 300, 400, 500, and 600 mph.
North American International Auto Show (Michigan)
The North American International Auto Show, held every year in Detroit, is one of the world’s largest automotive events. The Gallery, an opulent automotive event; AutoMobili-D, an inside look at the future of mobility platforms; Press Preview; Industry Preview; Charity Preview; and a nine-day Public Show are the six unique shows that make up the event.
Daytona International Speedway (Florida)
NASCAR’s Daytona 500, known as “the Super Bowl of Stock Car Racing,” is held annually at the Daytona International Speedway. The Speedway provides excursions that allow guests to see the site’s renowned 31-degree banks in between races. All-access tours and VIP options are also available to true automotive enthusiasts.
National Automobile Museum (Nevada)
The National Automobile Museum, which is housed in Reno, Nevada, features antique cars from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The almost 200 cars in the museum are arranged in four galleries and include famous people’s cars like as Frank Sinatra’s 1961 Ghia L6.4, John Wayne’s 1953 Chevrolet Corvette, John F. Kennedy’s 1962 Lincoln Continental, and Elvis Presley’s 1973 Cadillac Eldorado.
Cadillac Ranch (Texas)
Cadillac Ranch is a beloved Caddy-themed public art piece located in Amarillo, Texas, next to Interstate 40. Ten Cadillac vehicles from 1949 to 1963 are buried face-down in the ground. It is encouraged of guests to bring spray paint so they can add to the constantly changing artwork.
Henry Ford Museum (Michigan)
The Henry Ford Museum in Michigan is a National Historic Landmark and the biggest indoor/outdoor museum complex in the country. Henry Ford’s historic relics are on display at the museum together with a range of artifacts pertaining to industrialization, vintage machinery, and popular culture. The Rosa Parks bus, Thomas Edison’s laboratory, Abraham Lincoln’s chair from Ford’s Theatre, and John F. Kennedy’s presidential limousine are a few of the most noteworthy displays.
NASCAR Hall of Fame (North Carolina)
In Charlotte, North Carolina, the NASCAR Hall of Fame opened its doors in 2010 to honor the sport’s greatest icons, including racers, crew chiefs, owners, and other significant contributors. In addition to displays and activities, the location has a racecar driving simulator.
Mercedes-Benz Museum, Stuttgart (Germany)
Automobile enthusiasts can take the Autobahn to Stuttgart, the city that gave rise to the modern car. There, travelers can tour the Porsche factory and the magnificent Mercedes Museum
Havana, Cuba
Perhaps the greatest place on earth to view vintage American automobiles is Havana. Although American automakers were prohibited from exporting to Cuba following the embargo in 1960, many Cubans have gone to considerable pains to restore and preserve their pre-1960 vehicles. Of those, an estimated 60,000 remain operational.
Tesla Factory, Fremont, California
Only owners of Tesla Model S, Model X, and Roadster vehicles are presently permitted access to the technologically advanced new factory in Fremont, California; however, the firm intends to eventually open up its tour program to the general public. If you’re one of the fortunate few, you’ll need to reserve your trip at least three or four weeks in advance by sending an email to factorytours@tesla.com.
Monaco Grand Prix, Monte Carlo, Monaco
One of the most renowned and spectacular auto races in the world has taken place in Monaco every year since 1929. The Formula One race in May takes place on the Monaco circuit, which winds through the city streets of Monte Carlo and beside the neighboring harbor. In strategic places, grandstands are erected for observation.
Ferrari Factory and Museum, Maranello, Italy
Owners of Ferraris refer to their trips to the company’s Maranello, Italy, plant as a “religious experience.” Situated in close proximity to Modena, Italy, Ferrari has been manufacturing automobiles here since the 1940s. Ferrari memorabilia and sports automobiles can be found in the adjacent museum.
Carhenge, Alliance, New England
Similar to Cadillac Ranch, Carhenge is an expansive outdoor artwork made entirely of historic cars. The installation, which is meant to resemble England’s Stonehenge, consists of 39 cars arranged in a circle and coated in gray spray paint.
Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, Pebble Beach, California
The Pebble Beach Golf Course, better known for serving as the site of an annual PGA event, is home to the summertime Concours d’Elegance. The third week of August marks the conclusion of Monterey’s annual Car Week, which features some of the greatest examples of collector vehicles in the United States.
Goodwood Festival of Speed
Every June, Goodwood House, which is close to Chichester, hosts the Goodwood Festival of Speed, a celebration of speed set against the breathtaking background of the South Downs National Park. The festival spans four days and features a variety of attractions such as the newest Formula One cars, meet-and-greets with legendary drivers, and immersive tech and automotive experiences.
Take a seat and watch as supercars rip around Goodwood Park’s own racetrack, the Hill. The entire property is home to a number of breathtaking “action areas” that feature anything from air displays to rally automobiles.
24 Hours Of Le Mans
The world’s most renowned 24-hour race takes place in June at Le Mans. The French race is only about endurance; the fastest car over the course of a day wins. The race will take place this year from June 12–16, with festivities beginning at 4 p.m. on June 15 and concluding at the same time the following day.
When not watching Le Mans Hyper cars and Le Mans Daytonas tear around the 8.5-mile circuit, viewers may go go-karting, see a live performance, or browse the Ferrari and Ford exhibits in the museum.