Museum of American Speed
4.9(2.2K)google
4.7(40)yelp
Motorsport
Overview
The Museum of American Speed is a nonprofit automobile museum in Lincoln, Nebraska, exhibiting a collection of American racing vehicles, performance parts, and automotive memorabilia spanning early 20th-century racing to modern Indy Cars. It has been in operation since 1992. As of 2013, the museum was housed in a 135,000 sq ft (12,500 m2) facility.
Practical Info
Mon10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Tue10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Wed10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Thu10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Fri10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Sat10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
SunClosed
Suggested Duration2.5-4 hours
Best TimeAn all-weather indoor facility perfect for any season. Entering at 9:00 AM on a Friday or Saturday morning from May to August is highly recommended, letting you bypass the afternoon family crowds and spend 3 to 4 hours exploring vintage race cars and historic V8 engines.
Getting ThereLocated in the Speedway Motors complex in northwest Lincoln (599 Speedway Blvd). Drive via I-80 to Exit 399 (NW 12th St), head south, turn left onto W Bond St, and follow the signs onto Speedway Blvd. A massive, free paved parking lot sits directly outside the museum.
Travel Tips
- The multi-floor complex requires over one mile of continuous walking; the absence of terminal luggage lockers bars rolling suitcases or large multi-compartment packs.
- Discreet floor-pressure infrared sensors flank every high-value racecar chassis; clothing hems or hands breaching the yellow alignment thresholds sound property alarms.
- Peak visitor saturation materializes Friday and Saturday mornings; extended overlander truck rigs must look out for the western boundary parking bays.
Reviews
Positive
- Voted America's top car museum for good reason! Three massive floors are packed with race cars, rare engines, and land-speed record holders, visually shocking.
- The exhibits are organized perfectly, with every vintage racer polished to a mirror shine, backed by detailed and hard-core information placards.
- The staff are warm and welcoming, with many being lifelong race fans or retired mechanics who can answer any tough technical or historical question.
- Relative to its massive and globally rare racing collection, admission is a steal. Excellent order inside offers race fans an immersive experience.
Heads up
- The content leans heavily hard-core into mechanical technicalities, engines, and chassis, which can feel dry if you know nothing about mechanics.
- Because it displays delicate, rare, and exposed vintage parts, touching is strictly banned, making it stressful for parents with energetic young boys.
- The museum is huge, requiring over 3 hours for a serious tour, yet rest benches are sparse, leaving your feet deeply sore by the end.
- Located near an industrial park in northwest Lincoln, nearby dining is scarce; you must drive back to downtown for a decent restaurant.