Best Things to Do in Auburn, Indiana

By VacationIdea Staff on July 11, 2022 - Updated

City of Auburn Indiana Government

Established in 1836, Auburn is the county seat of Indiana’s DeKalb County and is known proudly as “The Home of the Classic. The city of Auburn played a pioneering role in the early days of the automotive industry and is now a particularly great place to visit for any fans of classic cars and other vintage automobiles. Home to the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum, the National Automotive and Truck Museum, and the Early Ford V-8 Foundation & Museum, the city is quite possibly a car enthusiast’s dream destination.

We recommend that you call the attractions and restaurants ahead of your visit to confirm current opening times.

1.Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum

The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum showcases more than 120 cars across three levels. The nine automotive-themed galleries lets visitors experience a wide range of automobiles and related exhibits, ranging from classic cars to engineering and racing themed exhibits to cars built in Indiana to the original Auburn Automobile Company. The mission of the unique museum is the collection, documentation, preservation, and interpretation of stories and relevant artifacts of the Auburn Automobile Company, Duesenbergs, Cords, Auburns, and several other automobiles, along with their heritage of design, societal, competition, and innovation. The museum engages the community with fun and educational experiences.

1600 S Wayne St, Auburn, IN 46706, Phone: 260-925-1444

2.National Automotive and Truck Museum (NATMUS)

The National Automotive and Truck Museum, also known as NATMUS, welcomes thousands of people every year from all over the world. All manner of vintage trucks and “post-war” cars can be seen on display throughout the museum for the enjoyment of visitors as well as possibly to bring back their memories of vehicles they used to own. Boasting over 100,000 square feet of automotive-related displays, the National Automotive and Truck Museum features muscle cars from the 1960’s and 1970’s, “one-of-a-kind exhibits,” numerous prototypes, more than 100 trucks covering over 100 years of production, multiple brand collections, race cars, and much more.

1000 Gordon M Buehrig Pl, Auburn, IN 46706, Phone: 260-925-9100

3.Early Ford V-8 Foundation & Museum, Auburn, IN

The Early Ford V-8 Foundation and Museum is dedicated to collecting, preserving, exhibiting, and interpreting the heritage and history of products made between the years of 1932 and 1953 by the Ford Motor Company. Made up of a research library and three different major sections, the museum features an Early Ford Speed exhibit, a 1940’s Ford Service Garage, and displays about industrial engines and farming in its original Phase 1 section. There is also the Floyd Motors section that depicts a 1936 Ford dealership and the Frank Corey Gallery housing a number of Ford vehicles manufactured from 1932 to 1953.

2181 Rotunda Drive, Auburn, IN 46706, Phone: 260-927-8022

4.Mad Anthony's, Auburn, Indiana

Mad Anthony's opened its Tap Room doors in the city of Auburn, the home of the largest car auction in the world, in 2002. Located in the historic downtown building that formerly housed the Blackwells Department Store, the Mad Anthony Brewing Company opened a destination for craft beer enthusiasts that is highlighted by a beautiful raised bar area featuring eclectic decor, large windows allowing guests to look out on Main Street, and exposed brick walls. Mad Anthony’s has become a popular gathering spot for locals.

114 N Main St, Auburn, IN 46706, Phone: 260-927-0500