The National Automobile Museum: Northern Nevada's Crown Jewel for Car Lovers

If you're a car enthusiast living in or visiting Northern Nevada and you haven't been to the National Automobile Museum in downtown Reno, you're missing what is quite possibly the region's greatest automotive treasure. I've been walking through its galleries for over 30 years, and every visit still stops me in my tracks.

Officially nicknamed "The Harrah Collection," this museum houses more than 200 rare, restored, and historically significant vehicles spanning from the late 1800s to the early 1980s. In 2026, USA Today ranked it #8 in the nation on its list of the 10 Best Attractions for Car Lovers. It's not hard to see why — this place is extraordinary, and it's right here in our backyard.

The Bill Harrah Story

The museum's origin starts with William F. "Bill" Harrah, the Reno casino magnate who built one of the most famous gaming empires in the West. But beyond the casinos, Harrah was obsessively passionate about automobiles. At the peak of his collecting, he owned more than 1,400 vehicles — one of the largest private car collections in the world.

Harrah didn't just collect cars; he demanded that every vehicle in his collection be restored to factory-original condition, setting standards that were ahead of their time. When he passed away in 1978, his collection eventually found its way into public hands, and in 1989, the National Automobile Museum opened its doors on Lake Street in downtown Reno. It's been a cornerstone of the Northern Nevada car community ever since.

Cars You Need to See in Person

Some museums have volume. This one has soul. The vehicles here aren't just parked behind velvet ropes — each one has a story. Here are a few highlights that make car enthusiasts make the trip from across the country:

The 1907 Thomas Flyer

This is the car that won the 1908 New York-to-Paris race — a grueling 22,000-mile endurance run across ice, mud, mountains, and ocean crossings. It's the museum's crown jewel and one of the most historically important automobiles in existence. Standing next to it, you realize what "automotive courage" really means.

James Dean's 1949 Mercury

The chopped-and-channeled Mercury from Rebel Without a Cause. It's the car that helped define a generation's idea of cool. Seeing it in person, with its lowered profile and aggressive stance, you understand why it became an icon.

Elvis Presley's 1973 Cadillac Eldorado

Peacock Blue and impossible to miss. Elvis's personal Cadillac is one of the museum's most photographed vehicles, and it captures everything about the King's larger-than-life persona. It's not just a car — it's a piece of Americana.

Frank Sinatra's Ghia L6.4

A rare Italian-American hybrid — Chrysler power wrapped in elegant Ghia coachwork. Only 26 of these were ever built, and Sinatra's is the most famous. It's the kind of car that makes you rethink what the 1950s really looked like.

Other Must-See Highlights

The museum also features a 1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K Roadster, a 1929 Duesenberg J Murphy-Bodied Town Car, the 1938 Phantom Corsair (often called "the car of the future" from the 1930s), and a 24-karat gold-plated DeLorean. The collection spans everything from early horseless carriages to muscle-era American iron, and the quality of restoration is consistent throughout.

What's Coming in 2026

The museum has a packed calendar this year. Here are the events worth marking:

• Harrah Homecoming: A Celebration of Automotive History — July 27 through August 1, 2026. Presented in partnership with the Horseless Carriage Club of America, this multi-day event brings rare vehicles back to Reno and celebrates Bill Harrah's legacy. It's timed to overlap with Hot August Nights week, making it the perfect complement to the city-wide cruise.
• Museum Cup Series — Running through the summer months, the Museum Cup spotlights a different local car club each month with awards, special displays, and member discounts. If you're part of a local club, it's worth reaching out about getting your group featured.

Plan Your Visit

The museum sits at 1 Lake Street in downtown Reno, right along the Truckee River. It's an easy walk from the riverwalk district, and there's free parking available on site.

• Hours: Monday–Saturday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Sunday 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• Admission: Adults $15–$16 | Seniors (62+) $13–$15 | Youth (6–15) $10–$13 | Children 5 and under free
• Military/Veterans: Discounted admission with valid ID
• Website: automuseum.org

Plan for at least two hours. Most people end up staying longer. The galleries are laid out chronologically, so you walk through automotive history from the earliest motorcarriages to the muscle era. It's a museum that rewards slow walking and close looking.

The Nevada State Museum, Carson City

While we're on the subject of automotive history in Northern Nevada, it's worth noting that the Nevada State Museum in Carson City also has a noteworthy vehicle collection. It's not a dedicated auto museum — it covers all of Nevada's history — but you'll find historic mining trucks, early stagecoaches, and pioneering automobiles among its permanent exhibits. The museum also hosts an annual car show in its parking lots off Curry Street, which is always worth attending if you're in the area.

Why This Matters to the Northern Nevada Car Community

For people like me who've been part of the Northern Nevada car scene for decades, the National Automobile Museum isn't just a museum — it's an anchor. It reminds us that this region has deep automotive roots, from Bill Harrah's collecting obsession to the thousands of enthusiasts who keep the culture alive through car clubs, charity shows, and weekly cruise nights.

If you're new to the area or just visiting, the museum is the perfect introduction to why Northern Nevada is such a special place for car people. You'll walk out understanding the history, and then you can experience the living culture — catch a Cars & Coffee meetup on a Saturday morning, cruise the Geiger Grade up to Virginia City, or time your visit with Hot August Nights in August.

And if you find yourself thinking, "I want to live somewhere I can have a proper garage for my collection," that's exactly the kind of conversation I love having. After 40-plus years in Northern Nevada real estate, I've helped a lot of car enthusiasts find homes with the right garage space, workshop potential, and acreage to support their hobby. The lifestyle here is second to none — and the National Automobile Museum is proof of that.