This Massive 80,000-Square-Foot Museum Houses Everything From Monster Trucks To Presidential Limos
By Linze Rice|Published August 03, 2023
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Linze Rice
Author
Ope! From the rural cornfields of DeKalb County, Linze is an Illinois native and true Midwestern gal who can make a mean bonfire and whip up a perfect marshmallow salad. Since 2014, her bylines and photography have appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Magazine, Chicago Sun-Times, and Block Club Chicago/DNAinfo Chicago, Only in Your State, and more. She has interviewed Dolly Parton, written about beloved diners along historic Route 66, visited the last Rainforest Cafe in the Illinois, and reviewed luxurious English manor-inspired hotels. Whether it's writing about a local gem or world-renowned establishment, Linze brings a heartwarming and historical perspective to each story, using facts, wit, and personal experience to impress upon readers the importance of culture, food, travel, and all things local. Her favorite destinations in Illinois include Starved Rock State Park, Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood, the charming small town of Sycamore, and historic Rosehill Cemetery. When she's not writing or photographing, Linze enjoys gardening, spending time with her husband and pets, cooking, baking, and grilling, and relaxing with trashy TV.
Some of the country’s best museums are found in Illinois. Living near Chicago, I can easily access the Field Museum, the Museum of Science and Industry, or the Art Institute of Chicago at almost any time. But what I’ve discovered is that while the city has plenty of great historical attractions, the suburbs and country communities also have a lot to offer in the way of museums. And this massive auto museum in Roscoe, Illinois is definitely among the largest and most unique.
Historic Auto Attractions, located at 13825 Metric Road, is a massive history and auto museum in Roscoe with more than 80,000 square feet of incredible displays and exhibits.
The museum is home to the world's largest collection of limousines owned by U.S. presidents and other world leaders, and includes placards with information on each. From Richard Nixon to the British royal family to Jimmy Carter to Joseph Stalin, tons of significant motor vehicles are available to see up close.
Illinoisians will be pleased to know there is also a fantastic gangster section of the museum filled with relics from the Prohibition Era, including plenty of info on the infamous Al Capone.
As a Chicago history nerd, this would be the first place I'd head.
There is also an exciting collection of vehicles made famous on the movie screen. Blockbusters like "Batman," "Ghostbusters," "Vacation," "The Flintstones," "Back to the Future," and more are all represented here.
But the museum also offers more than just cars. Inside, you'll find historical exhibits, an Elvis display, a 9/11 memorial, a collection of rare and antique clocks, Egyptian artifacts, a Hall of Presidents, a NASA Space exhibit, and much more.
In the Animal Kingdom section of the park, visitors can explore alongside an African bull elephant, polar bear, arctic wolf, male African lion, and other wildlife creatures.
So, would you add a trip to this massive auto museum in Roscoe, Illinois to your bucket list? What’s your favorite museum or historical site in Illinois? Tell us in the comments! Start planning your visit by checking out the Historic Auto Attractions website and the Historic Auto Attractions Facebook page. And while you’re in the area, why not make it a weekend getaway? This incredible boutique hotel has an amazing outdoor patio and is less than 10 miles from Roscoe. Plus, it will give you plenty of time to make sure you get to try this mouthwatering vintage cupcake shop in nearby Rockton.
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