Rhode Island is small enough that you could sneeze and accidentally walk into Connecticut. So why is it hiding one of the most spectacular automotive collections you’ve never heard of?
I found it on a random Tuesday, fully prepared for an unforgettable afternoon. That plan failed spectacularly.
The building looks like it houses filing cabinets and broken office chairs. Nothing about it prepares you for what’s inside.
Hundreds of mint-condition automotive legends sit under lights so dramatic they make each car look like a Hollywood celebrity. This state has a habit of burying extraordinary things where no one thinks to look.
Rhode Island pulls off this trick well, and this museum is its best yet. I walked out really upset that no one had told me sooner.
Consider this I say to you.
A former missile factory now houses automotive dreams
Many museums do not start life as missile manufacturing facilities. The sheer scale of the building hits you before you even reach the entrance, and that feeling only increases once you step inside.
The museum was founded by Gunther and Maggie Buermann and opened in mid-2017. The display covers about 80,000 square feet inside a 114,000 square foot former industrial building.
That’s not a typo. You can fit several football fields inside and still have room for a gift shop, which they absolutely have.
The industrial bones of the building give the whole experience a surprisingly cool, warehouse-gallery feel that works perfectly to showcase machines built for speed and beauty.
Despite the Newport name, the museum is actually The Newport Car Museum, located at 1947 W Main Rd, Portsmouth, RI 02871, on 17 acres of what was once the Raytheon Company campus.
More than 85 cars were displayed like fine art
Forget everything you know about dusty car museums with flickering fluorescent lights. The collection now includes over 100 automobiles, arranged in themed galleries with the kind of care you’d expect from a serious art institution.
Each car sits on a low-rise platform under warm, theatrical lighting.
Galleries cover themed categories including Ford and Shelby, Corvettes, World Cars, Porsches, Finn Cars, American Muscle and Mopars. Each section feels like a chapter in a very exciting book.
Mid-century modern furniture is scattered throughout, giving you a comfortable place to sit and really absorb what you’re seeing.
These cars range from the 1950s to the modern day. Highlights include a rare 1965 Ford Shelby 427 SC Cobra, a 2017 Lamborghini Aventador SV Roadster and a 1963 Mercedes-Benz 300SL.
Each vehicle comes with a detailed information plaque covering specifications and motorsport history. The whole setup feels more like a gallery opening than a traditional museum visit.
The no-ropes policy changes everything
Most museums keep you at arm’s length from everything interesting. At this point, the rule is refreshingly different.
There are no ropes to separate you from the car, which means you can get close enough to see every stitch of leather, every chrome reflection, every perfectly restored detail.
You cannot touch or sit on the vehicles, and that rule is taken seriously. But being able to stand inches away from a 1969 4-speed Hemi Dodge Charger R/T with no barriers between you is a real thrill.
You begin to notice things that you would never catch from across the room.
The no-ropes approach is one of the things that sets this museum apart from similar institutions across the country. It treats visitors as responsible adults who can appreciate the privilege of proximity.
The experience feels personal and immediate in a way that photographs simply cannot replicate. Standing next to a 1959 Cadillac Series 62 convertible with nothing between you and that iconic tailfin is a moment that sticks with you long after you leave.
A hoods up weekend is a whole different experience
It’s one thing to look a beautiful car from the outside. Seeing what powers it from within is an entirely different kind of excitement.
On the second Saturday and Sunday of every month, the museum hosts what they call Hoods Up Weekend, where the engines of the cars on display are revealed for inspection.
Getting a clear look at the engine bay of a pristine Corvette or restored American muscle car is the kind of thing that gets car enthusiasts really emotional. The detail work on these engines is as impressive as the bodywork.
Some of these motors look like they belong in a sculpture garden.
Even if you’re not a mechanical expert, seeing the raw engineering beneath the polished exteriors adds a whole new level of appreciation. The staff is especially busy this weekend and ready to answer questions.
If you’re planning a visit and have some flexibility in your schedule, timing your trip around the hoods up weekend is perfect. Check their website at newportcarmuseum.org before you go to confirm the schedule.
A racing simulator that really tests your skills
Between ogling a 1963 Mercedes-Benz 300SL and wandering through the Porsche gallery, you’ll find something completely unexpected. The museum offers six to eight professional-grade driving simulators where visitors can test their racing instincts behind the virtual wheel.
These are not the type of arcade machines you find at pizza restaurants. The simulators are built to professional standards and give you a real sense of what it’s like to push a high-performance car to its limits without the real-world consequences.
Spoiler alert: I wasn’t as good as I thought I would be.
The simulator adds an interactive dimension to the visit that is especially appreciated by younger guests. They break up the visual experience of galleries with something hands-on and really fun.
After spending time appreciating you can’t drive a car, actually becoming a virtual pilot is a satisfying payoff. It makes the visit feel well-rounded rather than a mere inspection.
Families with children who are uncomfortable in traditional museum settings will find this facility especially valuable.
The gift shop is what they call the seventh gallery
Most museum gift shops seem like an afterthought. This guy’s got his own gallery number, and it tells you everything you need to know.
The 2,500 square foot space is filled with curated items that actually connect to the collection you’ve gone through rather than the usual souvenirs with logos on them.
Model cars are a big draw here, with a variety of scales to choose from. There are also apparel, automotive photography and collectibles that range from affordable to investment worthy.
The layout of the shop itself reflects the thoughtful presentation of the galleries.
Spending time in this space after a major tour feels like a natural extension of the experience rather than a commercial detour. This is the store where you go in planning to buy something and come out with a bag.
The objects are well chosen and truly reflect the passion behind the museum. If you’re looking for a gift for the car enthusiast in your life, this shop will solve that problem quickly and satisfactorily.
Allow some extra time for it.
Awards and recognition that prove the hype is real
Within just 18 months of opening, USA Today named the museum one of the top 10 best new attractions in America. That’s no small feat for a museum in a converted industrial building in Rhode Island.
Recognition came quickly because the experience truly delivered.
Yankee Magazine named it the best specialty museum in the region. The National Association of Automobile Museums also recognized the museum specifically for its historically produced gallery videos.
These are short films created for each gallery that place the cars in their proper cultural and automotive context.
TripAdvisor has awarded it Travelers’ Choice recognition several times, and the museum ranked in the top 10 percent of attractions worldwide in both 2021 and 2024. The museum draws comparisons to the Reves Institute in Florida and the Peterson Automotive Museum in California.
A place that attracts more than 50,000 visitors annually, it surprisingly remains under the radar outside of the region.
Accessibility and practical details are worth knowing
Planning a museum visit involves more than just showing up. The good news is that this place has carefully thought out the practicalities.
The entire facility is handicap accessible, and employees are noted to go up and down for visitors who need mobility assistance during the visit.
Parking is free and plentiful, with over 300 spaces available. For a place with more than 50,000 visitors a year, that kind of parking capacity makes a real difference.
No one wants to spend two hours on their feet hunting for a place.
Regular admission is $20 for adults, with discounts for seniors, military members, students and children. The museum is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm except for major holiday closures listed on its website.
A typical visit lasts about an hour and a half, although enthusiasts regularly spend longer. The museum also hosts car clubs, private events and car shows throughout the year, making it a flexible destination for groups of all sizes and interests.
Why this museum deserves a spot on your Rhode Island itinerary
There are things to do in Rhode Island, but few experiences so effectively combine automotive history, art curation and interactive fun under one roof.
This museum punches well above its weight for a state that doesn’t immediately come to mind when people think of car culture destinations.
The appeal is really broad. Car enthusiasts will enjoy the Shelby Collection and the Porsche Gallery.
People who never considered themselves car fans are often surprised by how much they enjoy it. The art gallery presentation makes the experience accessible to anyone with an eye for beautiful design.
The museum is located just a short drive from Newport, making it easy to combine with a comprehensive visit to this part of the state. On a day trip, a weekend getaway or just a random Tuesday with nothing planned, this museum earns its place on the list.
It’s the kind of place that makes you feel like you’ve discovered something. And in a way, you did.
Go while it still feels like a secret worth keeping.
