It’s often said that you can learn a great deal about where you are headed by looking back at where you came from. That’s why it’s so important to stop from time to time and take a look at history. And there’s no better place to look at motorcycle history than the Wheels Through Time Museum – a true motorcycle gem.
A Living Museum
It’s a unique motorcycle and personal transportation museum housing more than 350 rare American machines. Unlike stuffy history museums where every artifact is encased in glass, this is a living museum with running motorcycles. You can get close to these machines, just like you can to the various motorcycles in the parking lot. With some of the motorcycles you can smell the oil, grease, leather and sometimes exhaust, especially if that motorcycle was just ridden. Remember, mind your manners, please don’t sit on them and observe the photo policy to protect these priceless machines.
Location, Location, Location
Location is often cited as one of the keys to a businesses’ success. This applies to museums as well. They need to be where their customers are. The Wheels Through Time Museum is located in one of the most fantastic spots for motorcyclists to visit. It’s in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, just five miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway, tucked away in Maggie Valley, North Carolina. The Great Smoky Mountain National Park, the Tail of the Dragon, the Cherohala Skyway and cities of Asheville, N.C., and Knoxville, Tenn. are within easy riding distance.
Wheels Through Time Museum
62 Vintage Lane
Maggie Valley, North Carolina 28751
Phone: (828) 926-6266
GPS: Latitude: 35.513718 | Longitude: -83.076945
Website: http://www.wheelsthroughtime.com/
Season: April 1 – November 28
Days: Thursday – Monday
Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Daily Admission:
Adults – $15.00
Seniors – $12.00
Kids – $7.00 (includes tax)
A Motorcyclist’s Dream Garage
Visiting the Wheels Through Time Museum is like wandering into a dream garage any motorcycle rider would covet. Motorcycles and some rare automobiles are packed into every corner on two levels. The carefully arranged displays do not seem like museum displays. They just feel natural in a gearhead way. Machines from at least 25 makes are represented from legends like Harley-Davidson and Indian, to historic brands like Henderson and Flying Merkel, including the only known Traub motorcycle ever made. Most of them are in running order or not far from it. On any day you are likely to find Dale Walksler, the man behind this fabulous collection, riding one of the machines inside or outside of the museum. If you love motorcycles, this is a “Bucket List” destination, and the ride there qualifies too.
Till next time, ride safe!