Looking for a place to go after spending the morning on the beach, well hop in your car and head in any direction from the Tampa Bay Beaches and you will find world class museums to suit your fancy. In this three part series we will be highlighting three of our favorite Museums all within a short drive from the beaches outside Tampa / St Petersburg.

Today’s day trip from the beaches (see day one here) takes us to a museum you may not even know exists. For all those car fanatics and “car talk” fans, Tampa Bay is home to the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum.

Here you can follow through time and explore the evolution of the automobile. From rear engine cars of the 1920’s to high tech cars of today the museum has on display one of the best assortments of automobiles in the country.

Think you know everything about Henry Ford and the model T – the first car in production? Well, think again as you see, on loan from Nuremberg, Germany, the only replica of the French auto, Fardier de Cugnot which in 1770 became the first self propelled car.

Over 12,00 sq feet of space includes all the favorites: Packard, DKW, Mercedes, Panhard and Willy Knight. If you love cars then this is a must see while in the area.

Admission to the Auto Museum is just $8 per person, $6 for seniors and $5 for students making this a very enlightening and reasonably priced afternoon of fun for all.

Tomorrow we will visit a lesser know but equally impressive museum located in the Tampa Area.

Enjoy your Florida Vacation on St Pete Beach, Clearwater Beach and Indian Rocks Beach