It's a big day for Michigan as a host of its "Thrills 'n' Wheels" locations, including the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, rev up recognition in USA TODAY's 10BEST Readers' Choice Awards for 2025. The museum, alongside the Detroit Boat Show and the Woodward Dream Cruise, has been selected among the best places for car, air, and boat enthusiasts nationwide. This nod to the Henry Ford Museum – a haven for innovation and history buffs alike – marks another consecutive win, as it continues to draw the admiration and imaginations of visitors.
According to ClickOnDetroit, the Henry Ford Museum showcases exhibits such as "Driving America," highlighting vehicles from various eras, and the "Driven to Win: Racing in America" exhibit, which boasts racecars and immersive simulators. But it wasn't the only Michigan marvel to make waves. In fact, five state attractions to managed grab spots across various 10Best categories, evidence of the state's rich vehicular legacy and the ways it continues to thrill residents and tourists alike.
Shifting gears to the famed Woodward Dream Cruise, deemed the world's largest one-day automotive event, it too has successfully carved out a spot in the 10Best Car Shows, landing at eighth place. This event transforms Woodward Avenue into a nostalgic journey, showcasing classic cars and embracing the automotive spirit that courses through the veins of Detroit. "With some 40,000 classic cars and more than 1 million people," the Dream Cruise easily becomes an enthusiast's paradise, as detailed by Detroit Free Press.
Meanwhile, NASCAR fans might be excited to learn that Michigan International Speedway also made it to the list, scoring the eighth position on USA TODAY's 10Best NASCAR Tracks. The wide 18-degree banks of this famous 2-mile raceway are situated amid the scenic Irish Hills, making it a staple destination for racing aficionados. Across the board, it's clear that Michigan's offerings provide more than just an 'attraction' – they serve up experiences steeped in the thrill of speed and the heritage of American engineering.
Up the coast, the Dover Motor Speedway in Delaware hasn't been left in the dust, clinching the seventh spot for best NASCAR track. The speedway was praised for its high banks and blistering speeds, making it a standout on the racing circuit since 1969. "Monster Mile fans are energetic, proud and very loyal," noted Michael Lewis, communications manager at Dover Motor Speedway, in a statement cited by Delaware News Journal. Lewis speaks to the generational loyalty of racing fans, some of whom have celebrated their favorite races at the speedway for over four decades.
