Wheels Through Time Transportation Museum

I had a fantastic visit at Wheels Through Time. The museum is very welcoming, open, and is largely a hands-​on experience. It’s actually okay for you to touch most of the things on display, here. If you’re into motors at all, you’re going to love this museum. If you’re into motor-​bikes, you’re REALLY going to love this place. This is something of a mecca for riding enthusiasts. There are bikes in here that you won’t see anywhere else in the world. One-​of-​a-​kind pieces of history. Most of them in running condition! Can you imagine starting a one-​hundred year-​old motorcycle? And there are a couple of corners of this place where it’s clear restorations-​in-​progress are occasionally being worked on. Totally fascinating stuff. It’s no wonder that Wheels Through Time has such a stellar reputation in the motorcycling world.
This was an easy day-​trip for us to make from Atlanta. The museum is only minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway in Maggie Valley, NC. And there are some good places to grab some grub nearby before your trip back home. (I should note that some parts of Maggie Valley seem to close up for the winter. Don’t let this stop you from coming up and having a good time.)
Walking through the museum gave me a slight sense of sensory overload. There is just SO MUCH to take in. In addition to all those motorcycles, there are a few cool cars and various items of historical memorabilia scattered throughout the place. I have two «criticisms» (and they’re almost insignificant). First, I wish the interior lighting were more photography friendly. Cold fluorescents do not a good picture make. Second, there are one or two «exhibits» that look like exactly what you might see as a «barn find» expedition – parts laying about, motorcycles peeking out from larger piles of discarded parts. I know the owner of this place has a «barn find» themed show, but I don’t think they should devote floor space to chaos. There’s simply too much good stuff to see and appreciate.
That being said, I highly recommend this experience if you’re even remotely into motorbikes, or even just into motoring and history in general. Holler if you want some company.

I drove 2.5 hours one way to visit hoping to see some great bikes and take some nice photos. When I walked in with my camera and small tripod I was gruffly informed that they don’t allow tripods or selfie sticks. When I pause for a moment to consider this I was told again and then yet another women approached from behind to tell me yet again and that I should have read the little sign on the door as I came in from the rain. They did however, they inform me I could take pictures. I had heard the first time they told me and I was considering taking my tripod back to the car. However, based on the foul condescending demeanor of the two women and the front I decided to just walk out and I will never return The place was dimly lit and taking freehand photos would never do any justice to the bikes.
I do understand not wanting people to take photos however this did not appear to be the case. They lumped me with a very nice rig in with teenagers using selfie sticks. I am probably more worried about my rig getting damaged than they are about their bikes. Before making the trip to WTT I read through most of the web site and I have since read through it again and I can’t find anything about the tripod and selfie stick policy. Such a warning would have saved me a 5 hour drive.
So, if you are a serious amateur or professional and don’t want to take photos with a flash or super high ISO save yourself a trip. WTT is not photographer friendly.

A great place. Owner seems to be a jerk. Repeatedly refers to his TV show, of which I’ve never heard of. Easy to dismiss as the 300 motorcycles are phenomenal

What an absolutely great experience. This is not like any museum you have ever seen. The history on display here is not under glass nor is it locked away. Shortly after arriving Dale, the proprietor, owner, and tv star of the show «What’s in the Barn» was on the floor with us. He was giving not only a tour but a history of his one of a kind collection. He would ask a question after telling you about a one of a kind piece of motorcycle history «Want to hear it run?». What is even more fun is if he needs a little extra help he would simply solicit it from whoever was near by. In the last year we have taken the kids to all of the Smithsonian museums in D.C. and they said they would rather come back here. Thank you Dale and keep up the good work.

A must see! Great experience, where else do you see the owners of a museum get as excited as the guests when they start a 100 year old bike. Interactive experience with the owners Dale and his son Matt. Amazing having the bikes out for all to see not behind glass. Throughout the years I have past by without stopping in. I will never pass by without stopping in again. Friendly staff, great to see younger generation staff with extreme knowledge of the motorcycles and their history.

Haven’t been there as yet? Lost two stars for not been open on TUES and WED each week, rolled up at the gate to find this out as 20 or so other prospective visitors did while I was there?

I’ve visited this motorcycle museum a couple of times and always leave amazed. I watched Dale, the owner, crank up an old Harley and ride it through the gift shop to exit the building and take a short ride… cool! One of the best motorcycle museums in the country, if not the world.

Great museum, super friendly folks. Lots of things to see & marvel over!
A must visit when you’re in the area. One of those places that you need to visit more than once, as you can’t take it all in during one visit.

We visited here for the first time today. Amazing and a bit over whelming. The owner and staff were very nice and helpful. I hope to visit again soon. So happy someone loves this stuff as much as I do.