Is The National Automuseum Dietzhölztal Worth Visiting? Our Family Experience
The National Automuseum - The Loh Collection located in Dietzhölztal-Ewersbach, Hesse, Germany. The museum itself, a relatively new institution in Germany’s cultural landscape. Became open to the public in 2023 and houses some of the most impressive automotive collections in Europe. It features around 150 vehicles spanning from 1886 to the present day, including rare classics, iconic racing machines, prototypes and automotive history from the collection of the founder Prof. Friedhelm Loh. It is located in the centre of Germany, just about 120km from Frankfurt am Main.
A Rich Story Behind the Metal
Through my visit to the national museum, I have come to learn that the region of Dietzhölztal has a 2,500 years of tradition iron smelting, which later became a hub of industrial activity. This deep historical foundation reflects an area that is shaped by ingenuity and craftsmanship that has now become a perfect backdrop for an automobile museum.
Childlike Joy Meets Automotive Passion
This was actually my second visit to the museum, because our son simply loved the experience so much. Honestly, who could blame him?
One of the first things our son gravitates towards is the free slot racing track — a space where kids and adults can race tiny cars, feeling that thrilling push of speed and competition. It was such a joy just watching him have so much fun in the moment
Next stop was the Museum Shop, where he spent most of the time browsing through the selection of automobile collectibles before announcing which collectibles he wanted to take home.
The Cars That Take Your Breathe Away
Of course, there’s the collection itself.
From vintage classics to rare automotive masterpieces. Featuring exhibits from the legendary Mercedes-Benz 500K, to the iconic Ferrari classics — the museum presents one of the worlds most spectacular, valuable and exquisite automotive collections from over a century of automotive history. Making it very easy to get lost in the stories behind each model— from the engineering, to the design evolution and the moments in motorsport history that they represent.
Inside the museum, you are not just walking past machines. You are walking through time. Each hall felt like a carefully curated time capsule, with classic road cars and extraordinary race cars waiting to be admired. The combination of historical context and visual impact makes it fascinating not just for car lovers, but for anyone who appreciates design, engineering, and lived history.
More Than Just Cars: Great Food & Atmosphere
The museum wasn’t just about static displays. It also offers a cinema hall for anyone wanting to delve more into the highlights and automotive history from the collections of the founder Prof. Friedhelm Loh. It also offers Racing simulator stations for those 16 years of age and above, and the beautifully designed restaurant and diner called New York New York— a delicious highlight of our visit.
The New York homemade burger was so good I left planning my next visit to have it again, and our son devoured the New York cheesecake before I could even pick up my phone to take a photo of it. That combination of great food and relaxed atmosphere definitely made it feel like an experience, not just a tour.
The Value Question: Is It Worth It?
Now the question many ask: is the National Museum Dietzhölztal worth visiting? considering our family experience on multiple visits and the excitement on my son’s face when he asked— can we come back again? For me this was my second visit, but for my son and his father, it was their third visit. Yet my son asks— can we come back again?
The entry price ranges from €21 per person and €28 for a combined ticket which includes the special exhibition section but completely free for kids under 6 years. I believe there are also other price options for large families, groups and students.
So is the National AutoMuseum Dietzhölztal worth visiting?
For me and my family based on our visits— the answer is yes. It was absolutely worth it.
The sheer breadth and quality of the cars on display was exceptional.
The museum, thoughtfully curated, with historical and technical context woven in.
The additional experiences — slot racing, simulators, shop, restaurant, cinema— these elevated the visit beyond just a ‘‘look-and-go’’ museum.
And for families, the fact that kids under six are free and actively engaged means it’s much more accessible and fun.
So if you are a motorsport enthusiast, a design lover, or simply someone who enjoys experiences that blend education, nostalgia, and joy. The museum definitely delivers.
Final Thoughts
Our visit wasn’t just another weekend plan. It was a reminder of how experiences, especially shared ones, can connect us in unexpected ways: through history, laughter, the small moments— like our son’s excitement at the racing track or a bite of cheesecake that’s gone in seconds.
If you are a motorsport enthusiast, a design lover, or simply someone who enjoys experiences that blend education, nostalgia, and joy — this museum is for you.
Feel free to follow me on Instagram: @itsfaithmueller where I will be sharing all photos and videos from this visit or if you just want to stay connected.
Don’t forget; Life is for the living and it is what you make of it.
All images are copyright of Faith Müller