DFW Car & Toy Museum Wins Best of Texas Museum Award, Bolstering Fort Worth's Cultural Economy

FORT WORTH — The DFW Car & Toy Museum has been named a Best of Texas winner in the Museum category by Guide to Texas, an annual statewide program that lets readers nominate and vote for their favorite Texas businesses and organizations. The award, announced in October 2026, recognizes the museum's growing role as a cultural and economic asset in North Texas.

For founder Ron Sturgeon, the honor carries particular weight because it came directly from visitors. "We are incredibly grateful to everyone who voted for us," Sturgeon said. "We built this museum because we wanted people to have a place where they could see incredible cars and toys, learn something, have fun and simply enjoy themselves. To have Texans recognize us with this award means a tremendous amount to us."

The museum's journey began decades ago when Sturgeon started collecting toys in the 1980s, eventually expanding to full-size automobiles. That personal passion grew into a collection of more than 200 cars and over 3,000 toys and collectibles. Originally housed in Haltom City, the collection moved to 2550 McMillan Parkway in Fort Worth, where the museum officially opened in March 2025. The approximately 150,000-square-foot facility near Meacham Airport and I-35W now draws car enthusiasts, toy collectors, families, and travelers from across the Dallas-Fort Worth area and beyond.

What sets the museum apart is its free admission. Visitors can explore an ever-changing array of European classics, American automobiles, Japanese cars, race cars, celebrity vehicles, vintage toys, model cars, robots, and antique German toys. The museum also offers secure climate-controlled car storage and flexible event spaces for private parties, corporate gatherings, club events, and meetings. It hosts events every weekend, bringing together car clubs, collectors, and community members, further driving foot traffic to the area.

The Best of Texas award, presented by Guide to Texas, is the program's highest statewide designation. Winners are selected primarily based on voting results, with votes reviewed for validity and businesses verified before final selection. For the DFW Car & Toy Museum, the recognition in the Museum category underscores its appeal to the people it was built for: its visitors and the broader Texas community.

"We don't take this for granted," Sturgeon said. "Every person who visits, tells a friend, posts a photo, leaves a review or votes for us helps us continue building something special here in Fort Worth. We are very thankful."

The implications for North Texas extend beyond tourism. As a free-admission destination with a unique collection and event capabilities, the museum supports local hospitality, retail, and entertainment spending. Its dog-friendly policy and family-oriented atmosphere make it accessible to a wide demographic, while its weekend events create recurring economic activity. The Best of Texas designation is likely to raise the museum's profile, attracting even more visitors and reinforcing Fort Worth's reputation as a destination for both cultural and automotive enthusiasts.

The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., with final entry at 5 p.m. Admission and parking are free. With more than 200 cars, thousands of toys, and a growing calendar of events, the DFW Car & Toy Museum stands as a testament to how a personal collection can evolve into a community asset—and now, an award-winning Texas destination.