Pioneer Auto Museum
Pioneer Auto Museum
4.5
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
About
Established in 1954, and known as “The Big Variety Show,” the Pioneer Auto Show and Prairie Town in Murdo, South Dakota, provides families a trip through the history of 20th century America with its more than 250 classic cars, motorcycles, tractors and bicycles.Prairie Town continues the adventure; offering visitors a rendezvous with the past via self-guided tours through early renditions of a Midwestern, turn of the century town, complete with depot, bank, and school.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
266 reviews
Excellent
145
Very good
85
Average
25
Poor
8
Terrible
3
charles g
11 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
We were excited to see the cars, but found so much more to look at. The place is a step back into time. As we enjoyed the different automobiles and trucks, we discovered hidden treasures all around bringing back memories of our childhood. From memorable toys, metal lunch boxes, recreated buildings and their settings we were always seeing something out of the ordinary. Definitely a stop to make along a road trip and have lunch in their cafe.
Written October 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ccmmkk
Minneapolis, MN3 contributions
We love classic cars, and were excited to see the 275 cars advertised. What we found was a jumbled collection of uncared-for, hodgepodge antiques and shabby mannequins stuffed everywhere throughout multiple buildings in no logical order. You feel like you're walking through someone's garage where they've been hoarding junk for a century. Some displays were downright creepy (the singing Elvis mannequin in the glass case, the two-headed stuffed calf, the woodcarving diorama of Boot Hill, the disintegrating stuffed Minnie Mouse in the glass case, the singing gnomes in the glass case). The Gem room has visable mold growing on the ceiling tiles. In the china and glassware cases, a beautiful creamer has tipped over, and been that way so long dust has accumulated on it. There were original 1912 letters in a glass case with inch-thick dust on them. It's obvious no one takes care of these artifacts. The cars were in no order whatsoever, and were shown in dimly lit pole barms with plastic strips (like a car wash) hanging from the doors. While there were some beautiful cars, most appeared neglected (dirty, dusty, flat tires). A row of cars sits open-air under a tin roof. The lettering on their description signs is so faded they're illegible, and the cars are rusting and deteriorating from sitting outside. Most of the cars are in unrestored condition. Overall, it appears this place opened in 1954 and no one has cleaned or done anything to it since. A very disappointing, sad experience.
Written August 2, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wrldpeac
Blue Springs, MO103 contributions
My husband and I stopped on our way home from the Black Hills area to get a break from the car and were actually impressed. We took the self-guided tour through a variety of cars and tractors housed in over 30 different buildings. The collection is quite extensive! There were also numerous antiques on display.
Pros: Large variety; great break from the car; Extremely friendly staff.
Cons: Little Dusty and needs some building maintenance
Overall, I would recommend it to others that like cars and a little nostalgia that won't get hung up on cleanliness and a pristine environment.
Pros: Large variety; great break from the car; Extremely friendly staff.
Cons: Little Dusty and needs some building maintenance
Overall, I would recommend it to others that like cars and a little nostalgia that won't get hung up on cleanliness and a pristine environment.
Written August 21, 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rockolamamma
Cleveland, OH441 contributions
Our family stopped in late July on the way to the Black Hills. There was a coupon in the Black Hills discount book that gave 2 kids free admission, so the price was more reasonable. (and then a coupon on the internet gave the rest of us $1.00 off.
It was much larger than we anticipated. We spent 2 hours.
It kept my car-guy husband occupied and entertained. There were many different buildings geared to different eras and different models --even tractors!
It was a self-guided tour with audio push-buttons in each section.
The kids were also entertained for 2 hours! There was a scavenger hunt for them to work on. They walked through all the exhibits looking for their clues.
The town was very 'hands on', which the kids loved. They locked themselves in jail, pretended to work on a train car and became members of this old-time city! They enjoyed it better that a stuffy museum of glass-encased artifacts.
This is a very large collection and I don't think that they have the time to dust it all because it is not a big business. But there is a lot to look at and I think it is worth a stop if you like cars or old-time collections.
It was much larger than we anticipated. We spent 2 hours.
It kept my car-guy husband occupied and entertained. There were many different buildings geared to different eras and different models --even tractors!
It was a self-guided tour with audio push-buttons in each section.
The kids were also entertained for 2 hours! There was a scavenger hunt for them to work on. They walked through all the exhibits looking for their clues.
The town was very 'hands on', which the kids loved. They locked themselves in jail, pretended to work on a train car and became members of this old-time city! They enjoyed it better that a stuffy museum of glass-encased artifacts.
This is a very large collection and I don't think that they have the time to dust it all because it is not a big business. But there is a lot to look at and I think it is worth a stop if you like cars or old-time collections.
Written August 17, 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Geri A
Black River Falls, WI2 contributions
Oct 2015 • Couples
Traveling across the county, my husband and I stumbled across this wonderful Musem! If you are in the area, I suggest you stop in! Vivian and Dave will be more than happy to assist you and they are such charming people. If you like cars this is the place for you! I hope you enjoy it as much as we did :)
Written November 23, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CEARRS
Eau Claire, WI12 contributions
There's a lot of stuff there but largely forgettable--originated in the 50s and hasn't been dusted since! Kind of a mess. Just get the impression they don't care too much, just pay your fee and go on. Lotsa flies in the diner. We'd tell our friends to skip it.....
Written September 6, 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike A
Farmington, NM103 contributions
This is not a collection. .. its a hoarders nightmare!
These cars are shoved into barns then left to rot! They were running then just parked. Most have flat tires and are leaning against barn walls or the car next to it never to run again.
There is also no rhyme or reason, you may have a 1926 Rolls Royce sitting next to a 1971 Nova?
Cat paw prints everywhere and hornets buzzing around.
This place needs to be shut down and these cars given to loving homes.
There is everything here from washing machines to Conastoga wagons piled onto each other.
These cars are shoved into barns then left to rot! They were running then just parked. Most have flat tires and are leaning against barn walls or the car next to it never to run again.
There is also no rhyme or reason, you may have a 1926 Rolls Royce sitting next to a 1971 Nova?
Cat paw prints everywhere and hornets buzzing around.
This place needs to be shut down and these cars given to loving homes.
There is everything here from washing machines to Conastoga wagons piled onto each other.
Written September 25, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Viviana S
New York City, NY413 contributions
Aug 2019 • Couples
We stopped there for fun since we spotted a billboard on our trip. We were not disappointed! There’s a bit of everything for everyone. It’s a nostalgia shop literally and super well done and kept. Personnel is extremely friendly and happy to answer all your questions. Love the concept and I totally recommend visiting but in a sunny day for more enjoyment! A must stop!
Written August 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jodajoda1
Alta, IA74 contributions
Sep 2018 • Couples
You have never, and will never, see another place just like this! This is a great place to appreciate all things automotive! There is something everyone will enjoy, young or old!
Written September 21, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rileypickles
Strongsville, OH278 contributions
May 2017
This. Is. A place. That. Has cars. In various. Stages. Of condition There. Are. Tractors. All kinds. Of. Antitque and. Old. Items. A old. Town. Lots. To. See. But. Not. Very. Well kept
Written May 29, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are any of the muscle cars for sale?
Ben Charlie Saf... W
Auckland, New Zealand10 contributions
yep nearly everything is for sale, don't go expecting a bargin tho, he's a serious collector and knows what things are worth
Lugelemier
Placerville, CA
Is there rv parking
James D
Fairbanks, AK20 contributions
There is room for an RV to pull up to the building and park. It dident seem to be to bussy. I do not know if there is overnight parking. Have fun. My the way the owner had the stars of American Pickers and Pawn Stars from the history Chanel shoot some footage there. Good travels.
Lugelemier
Placerville, CA
Is there rv parking
Rust-E-Junque
Hermiston, OR954 contributions
You bet , RV , semi , bus , whatever you drive you can park pretty close!
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Claim your listingPioneer Auto Museum - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about Pioneer Auto Museum
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