Information
Landmark: America On Wheels MuseumCity: Allentown
Country: USA Pennsylvania
Continent: North America
America On Wheels Museum, Allentown, USA Pennsylvania, North America
Overview
America On Wheels Museum in Allentown, Pennsylvania, celebrates the story of wheeled vehicles in America, tracing their history and evolution-from the gleam of a polished Model T to the roar of a classic motorcycle.Right in the heart of downtown Allentown, Pennsylvania, this museum ranks among the region’s best, devoted entirely to telling the story of cars, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, and the artifacts that bring their history to life.Founded in 2005, the museum aims to spark curiosity and inspire learning by showcasing how vehicles-through their technology, cultural influence, and evolving design-have shaped American life and industry, from the roar of early engines to sleek modern lines.America On Wheels brings the story of transportation to life through a lively mix of rotating exhibits, hands-on displays, educational programs, and a rich collection-inviting visitors to trace its history and feel its lasting impact on how we live today.The museum showcases more than 75 vehicles, from a gleaming 1912 roadster to sleek, modern designs.That means everything from a gleaming classic car to a weathered old truck, plus motorcycles and even bicycles.You’ll spot vintage muscle cars gleaming in the sun, rare prototypes, sleek custom bikes, and lovingly restored old work trucks.Artifacts: Alongside the vehicles, you’ll find weathered highway signs, rust-speckled license plates, well-used tools, worn engine parts, and bits of memorabilia that together capture the larger story of America’s road culture.Right next to the museum sits the RB Collection Restoration Center, where you can watch mechanics carefully bring classic cars back to life-polishing chrome until it gleams-keeping automotive history alive for years to come.The museum offers a mix of permanent displays and rotating exhibits, with new shows arriving every six months-sometimes a freshly painted canvas still smells of the studio.The exhibits dive into everything from the golden age of muscle cars and wartime transportation to cutting‑edge motorcycle design, car club culture with its custom chrome and paint, and the future of travel technology.Recent displays have spotlighted car clubs in detail, showing how they shape automotive style and bring communities together.America On Wheels offers hands-on educational programs for schools and families-guided tours unpack the STEM concepts behind automotive engineering, workshops and summer camps dive into mechanics and design, and special events like a classic car show pull in enthusiasts of every age.The museum partners with local schools to support transportation history lessons, and when it’s time for a break, the HubCap Café serves up hot dogs, soft pretzels, and frosty ice cream floats in a cheerful 1950s soda fountain setting.The museum’s easy to get around-elevators hum quietly, ramps slope gently, and every facility’s designed to welcome visitors with disabilities.You’ll find us at 5 North Front Street in downtown Allentown, just steps from the bus stop and a short walk from nearby parking garages.The museum opens Wednesday through Sunday, and on Thursdays it stays lit and lively well into the evening.General admission won’t break the bank, and seniors, students, military members, and kids all get a price break - think a few dollars off the ticket at the gate.Special programs like “Free Kids Thursdays” draw families in, turning a regular day into an outing worth remembering.On select days, you can join a guided tour of the Restoration Center for a small extra fee, walking past tools still dusted with wood shavings.America On Wheels brings history to life with a vivid, all‑encompassing look at the cars, trucks, and motorcycles that shaped American life-think gleaming chrome under bright museum lights.Packed with rare cars, ever-changing displays, hands-on workshops, and a café that smells of fresh coffee, it’s a must-see for anyone drawn to the Lehigh Valley’s automotive history, technology, and culture.
