Car buffs, park it here

Thought of as one of the greatest achievements of mankind, the automobile has transformed our nation. From the Model T to road trips of the '50s to the muscle cars of the '60s and on to today — this invention got us moving. Key in the ignition, clutch down, shift into first gear and away we go!

• CALIFORNIA: Los Angeles

The Petersen Automotive Museum in L.A.'s Museum Row promotes the education about autos and their history. Drive-thrus, drive-in movies and cruising are all a part of American culture. Current exhibits include "What Were they Thinking? — The Misfits of Motordom," "Hollywood Gallery — Cars of Film and Television" and "The Streetscape — The Car and the City in Southern California." Steve McQueen's DeTomaso, the fanciful Hannibal 8 driven by Jack Lemmon in "The Great Race" and a beach classic Woody are on display. More information: 323-930-2277 or petersen.org.

• TENNESSEE: Sevierville

Floyd Garrett's Muscle Car Museum is home to more than 90 classic muscle cars from the 1950s-'70s, including a 1969 Camaro, a 1971 Cuda Convertible, a 1963 Tameless Tiger Tempest and a 1967 Shelby GT 500. The hoods are open so visitors can catch a glimpse of the power underneath. For the Elvis Presley enthusiast, his first limo is on display. More information: 865-908-0882 or musclecarmuseum.com.

• GEORGIA: Madison

Bruce Weiner's Microcar Museum is home to the world's largest collection of microcars. Popular in Europe after World War II, these colorful little cars were an economical answer to post-war needs. From the BMW Isetta to the Messerschmitt Tiger, from turquoise to apple red, the microcars are as fun to see as they were to drive. More information: 706-343-9937 or microcarmuseum.com.

• ALABAMA: Birmingham

The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum was founded in 1995 to preserve the history of motorcycles from around the world. Five floors contain race cars and vintage and modern motorcycles. Bikes in the collection range from 1904 to current models and are from 16 countries under 143 marques. More information: 205-599-7275 or barbermuseum.org.

• ILLINOIS: Volo

Volo Auto Museum has exhibits of Hollywood movie cars, military vehicles and vintage autos. Hollywood car customizer George Barris has a collection of his cars on display from movies including "The Fast and the Furious," "Miami Vice" and "Gone in 60 Seconds." The military section features Vietnam and World War II combat vehicles and transports. A kids section features the original Batmobile, Grandpa Munster's Dragula and a DeLorean from "Back to the Future." More information: 815-385-3644 or volocars.com.

• MICHIGAN: Dearborn

Opened in 1929 by Henry Ford, the Henry Ford Museum aims to show America's progress in industrialization. The only existing 1896 Duryea Motor Wagon, the first production car in the United States, is on display along with a 1952 Wienermobile. Many historical vehicles are on display, including the presidential limo John F. Kennedy was shot while riding in and the bus in which Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat. You can sit in the driver's seat of a Model T and take a photo to remember this trip back in automotive and American history. More information: 800-835-5237 or hfmgv.org.

• FLORIDA: Ocala

The Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing is a collection of memorabilia from 1940 to the present. A pioneer in the sport, Garlits' innovations are on display along with other dragsters driven by the greatest names in racing. There are also funny cars, motorcycles and vintage cars in a garage-like setting. More information: 877-271-3278 or garlits.com.