I love crossing bookmarks off my list and this one turned out to be a standout. Car museums are places I go out of my way to visit, and America's Packard Museum took a former car dealership and turned it into a gallery of automotive art. The building still carries that vintage showroom feel, which makes wandering through the first room a treat. A spent two hours here and could have easily stayed longer, especially with cars like the 1935 Twelve All‑Weather Cabriolet by LeBaron, the 1935 Rolls‑Royce 20/25 Cabriolet by Hooper, and the 1937 Super Eight Limousine greeting you right out of the gate. It's a tremendous lineup and beautifully presented. My favorites leaned toward the unusual, starting with the 1917 Twin Six Motorhome. I'm into RVs so seeing one of the earliest examples - twenty‑five feet long, with a stove, a convertible bed‑sofa setup, a commode, and a V12 Packard drivetrain - was a real highlight. The 1940 Model 120 Convertible Victoria by Darrin, the 1953 Caribbean, and the 1952 Parisian Coupe by Pinin Farina rounded out a list of cars that made the visit feel like flipping through a living design history book. There are so many cars here, each captioned with its own story, and the museum does a great job of letting you enjoy them at your own pace. [Review 980 of 2026 - 356 in Ohio - 26159 overall] read more

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What an absolute gem of a museum in Dayton! Seriously, this place is one of the coolest car museums I've visited and totally worth the visit. They are located within an old Packard show room and have a wonderful collection of everything from pre-WW2's right up til the the end of Packard with some cool different cars thrown in for fun, such as a Dalorian. I can't recommend the Packard Museum enough! What a great museum in the heart of Dayton. read more

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September 9, 2023 - lots of parking, friendly/knowledgeable staff, great air conditioning, and a great collection of cars and memorabilia! What a screaming bargain for $10 per person and only $5 if over 65. Lots of history and plenty of signage, explaining everything in the large collection. Definitely worth your time. read more

The museum itself is very cool, the cars are beautiful and the staff are very helpful. My review deals more with trying to book an event there. My fiancé and I tried to plan our wedding and reception here because it's a beautiful and unique location. I sent an email to their booking company Elite Catering and Events as directed by their website. After a week or so I hadn't had a response so I called directly, spoke with a person that answered the phone who confirmed our desired date was available and I literally tried to put a deposit down but she said I would have to speak with someone else who had just left and she would have her call me at the beginning of the week. Perfectly reasonable. I waited until the end of the following week and still had not gotten a phone call or email. So I called AGAIN and left a message. I STILL have not been contacted. At this point, even if they do contact me I won't be booking with them or any other company that uses Elite. read more

It helps if you love cars. And if you're familiar with the wonderful history of Packards, this is definitely a place to visit. Since it's housed in a former Packard dealership, there are plenty of remnants of that existence in addition to the fine automobiles. In fact, it's the most unique thing about this museum. Highly recommended for anyone with a love for fine automobiles. read more

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I had been here before and liked it; hasn't changed much. I had some time on a Dayton trip so I stopped back. It's in an old dealership, a beautiful building. Dozens of cars, all Packards, are arranged inside. Beautifully restored, interesting specimens. There's some history of the company on the walls, and nice placards on the cars. The price is very reasonable (I think $6,) and staff are friendly. Well worth a visit if you are at all interested in cars, or history in general. Packard also built aviation and marine engines, and there are small displays about that. Mainly I just wandered among the cars, taking in their beauty. There are areas like the service bays preserved, pretty interesting for history and car buffs. read more

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Many car museums seem to be in buildings that reflect their owners' egos. That is not always a good thing. This car museum is different: it's in a showroom and service center from the old days. Step inside and walk into a true time capsule. Cars are only one part of the story here. The furniture, lighting, flooring, and paint schemes have seemingly been simply dusted off throughout the years. There aren't a lot of cars on display compared to most other car museums but this place is devoted to the Packard and their are some great examples on display in the two buildings that comprise this museum. (I'm ready to buy the polished black Jesse Vincent Speedster on display but I doubt they take Apple Pay.) Also on display are car accessories, advertising items -- including styling models, paint, and car parts -- bicycles, engines, and an entire technician repair area. Personal transportation occupies a short time in human history and the future seems ever closer to giving us at least a portion of the Jetsons lifestyle. Will we be riding in self-driving automobiles on demand by the Ubers of the world? If so, cataloguing this incredibly important part of human existence is crucial. While we take the current role of the car for granted, our grandchildren may look at this modern version of the horse and buggy in utter amazement. read more

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Hidden gem. If you are anywhere near Dayton and love cars this is a must see. Bob walked us around and had lots of information for us. We really enjoyed ourselves. read more

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This museum is a labor of love. Not only a love for cars, but one far more profound. The Citizen's Motor Car Company was the Packard dealership in Dayton OH. The entire building has been beautifully restored as it was in the 'Golden Age' of motoring, complete with an extensive collection of ephemera, documents, and 50 of the most luxurious and beautiful automobiles ever crafted. Not built--crafted. In early 20th Century America, if you wanted a luxury car, you bought a chassis for about $10,000 (just for the frame, engine, drivetrain, wheels, axles) from Packard. Then your Packard dealer commissioned a carrossier to build the body, interior and paint to customer specs. Thus the term 'custom' applied to nearly every Packard produced in the 1920s-30s. My favorite piece is THE 1903 Packard Grey Wolf racer that set the 1904 Measured Mile World Record of 77 MPH with W.K. Vanderbilt, Jr. at the wheel. Look closely at the pictures and try to imagine it. Remember, this was a time when 'Blacksmith' was still a viable vocation. My father and I visited some time ago and were greeted warmly at the door by an elderly gentleman who introduced himself simply as Bob. He gave us a personalized tour, demonstrating all of the hidden features on these glorious creations. His knowledge was encyclopedic (rich with anecdote) having restored a good many Packards with his son. Bob's son, a successful attorney, restored this beautiful building, expanded this collection and today shares it with all of us. During our visit, it was impossible not to notice that we were sharing in something much greater than cars, but of the bond between Bob Sr. and his son. I am grateful to have met him. Additionally, CMCC stocks parts for Packards and keeps a fleet of exceptional models for limousine service. read more

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I wish this place had more reviews and more visitors. The day I visited, there was only 1 other visitor. Staff is very friendly and informative. They can give you a tour or you can walk around by yourself. It is not just the cars but building itself. A staff member educated me that the building is a former Packard Dealership. They have some of the old office space from the sales floor and a lot of the items you find in a dealership garage. It is definitely worth a visit. The cars are beautiful. Spread out among 2 buildings, there is plenty to see in an hour or two. Packard just did not make cars, they also made engines for WWII PT boats. An interesting fact you can read about in building 2. They also have the some historical cars on display. One was used in The Godfather movie. A great place to stop in. It is street parking. and is not far from downtown Dayton. read more

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What a hidden gem. Great collection of cars as well as all the accessories you would find in a working Packard dealership. Well worth the trip! read more

The reason why I rated this place very low is the professionalism showcase by Vanessa. Who agreed upon with and organization for their event to take place with contract sign and sealed. Then a month later she tells the organization that the place is booked. So now the organization has to look for another venue, because Packard museum is booked but there was a contract in place before they was told they could not have the event there now. It sounds a little suspect that Vanessa agreed and contract was sign, then all of a sudden it changes. The question is why read more

Worth the $6 to see the pre-WW2 and post war vehicles with such an iconic style. Plus, the P-51 Mustang engine was developed by Packard and they have a small aviation section with a few engines. I will be back before my week here is up! read more

In Downtown Dayton... ...A Time Machine ......A Past You Can Touch... ...1919... ......The Splendor of a Packard Dealership... .........The Wood Paneled Waiting Rooms... ......The Best American Car... ...1959... ......The Flame Flickers... .........A Dream Is Lost... ......Packard is No More... ...2009... .......Saved From Neglect .........Feel an Apparition.... ......Close Your Eyes.... ...Sit In Those Time Machines In Downtown Dayton read more

I've never considered myself much of a classic car buff, but I'm not sure you need to be to appreciate the grandeur of a vintage Packard. These cars were the favorite of the upper crust in the first half of this century, and the examples on display in this restored Packard dealership showroom in downtown Dayton are a prime reminder about why they were held in such high esteem. Included in the two showrooms are the 1932 Packard driven by Brad Pitt in the "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and the late 40s Henney Packard hearse used to take Vito Corleone to the cemetery in "The Godfather." But my favorite was the 1958 prototype of the Packard Hawk convertible, one of several cars which is the only one known in existence. With senior, student, and AAA discounts, our group of five paid a mere $20 for entry and spent a good two hours walking through and enjoying the cars, asking questions of the knowledgeable docents, and posing for photographs with these great examples of industrial artistry. Put this on your list of "must see" places in Dayton. read more

This place is a great hidden treasure of Dayton. It's super cheap ($5/ person when we went) and the cars are gorgeous. I took my date here and we took pictures. The staff was exceptionally nice and helpful. They'll give you a tour or just let you walk around on your own. If you're into classic cars it's a no brainier to visit! read more

If you like cars you will love this museum showcasing the Packards! Beautiful cars and the museum is an actual original Packard dealership. The staff is very knowledgeable. Some of the cars have been used in movies such as the God Father. read more

I got up one day and wanted to go for a ride and I found this gem on a tourist website - it's about 1.5 hours from Columbus. I never heard of Packards but my 83 year old dad became very excited. We headed out and on our way. If you didn't know this was there you'd never see it but these cars were beautiful and it was so much fun to see my dad go down memory lane. Admission price was next to nothing - the staff was friendly and knowledgeable and we just had a darn good time living in the past. I highly recommend going to this out of the way little museum. read more

I am absolutely disappointed in myself! I am disappointed in the fact that I've driven by this place multiple times & have never stopped! That all changed last week as my father & I were driving home from lunch. We drove by the Packard Museum & we both noticed it was open. My dad suggested that we go in & the rest is history. We walked into a part of Dayton history. The museum is one of the last Packard dealerships in existence & it's like stepping back in time. Music from the 1930's plays over the sound system as you wander around the museum. The Cars are magnificent as are the offices that were a part of the original dealership. If you like a retro vibe, this is the place for you! My father & I chatted with a volunteer named Dick who gave us a great overview of Packard automobiles & the museum. The cars are amazing, the building is full of character & you are transported into a much classier time. This is definitely a hidden gym in Dayton. The museum is open 7 days per week & it is very affordable! Check this place out & appreciate an era of craftsmanship. read more

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I absolutely had a fantastic time here. I really enjoyed the tour and I had a great time learning the history of Packard. I would highly recommend going to this museum if you have a chance. I will definitely be going back. read more

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Experience marred by ticket guy who seemed positively baffled by our mixed race family...had to repeatedly tell him we are ALL TOGETHER! Wow. His attitude belongs in a museum. The cars though, are pretty nice. read more

Awesome. The curators are super helpful and available to answer any questions you may have. Truly a relic.

The Museum is great, but some of it's business practices are far from honest or ethical. I would never donate or purchase from them again

A true hidden gem! The owners were funny and friendly. The place was beautiful with funny murals. The cars simply astounding!