The DFW Car & Toy Museum has been named a Best of Texas winner in the Museum category by Guide to Texas, an annual statewide awards program that lets readers nominate and vote for their favorite Texas businesses and organizations. The recognition, announced in October 2026, is particularly meaningful because it comes directly from the public—visitors who explored the collection, brought their families, and cast votes in the competition.
For founder Ron Sturgeon, the award validates the museum's mission of accessibility and enjoyment. "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 Best of Texas designation represents the highest statewide winner designation in the Guide to Texas program. Winners are selected primarily based on voting results, with votes reviewed for validity and businesses verified before finalizing the awards. Being recognized in the Museum category is especially significant because it reflects support from the very people the museum was built for: its visitors and the broader Texas community.
The museum's journey from a personal collection to a Texas destination spans decades. Sturgeon began collecting toys in the 1980s and eventually expanded to full-size automobiles. What started as a 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 its current home at 2550 McMillan Parkway in Fort Worth, where the museum officially opened in March 2025. The approximately 150,000-square-foot facility quickly became a destination for car enthusiasts, toy collectors, families, travelers, and anyone seeking something different in North Texas.
Today, visitors can explore an ever-changing collection featuring European classics, American automobiles, Japanese cars, race cars, celebrity vehicles, unusual and quirky automobiles, vintage toys, model cars, robots, antique German toys, and much more. Perhaps the biggest surprise for many is that admission is free. The museum was created to be accessible to everyone, whether a lifelong car enthusiast, a serious collector, a parent looking for a fun activity with the kids, or simply the curious.
The recognition also highlights the museum's role as a community gathering place. It hosts events every weekend, bringing together car clubs, collectors, families, enthusiasts, and visitors from throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area. From car shows and specialty gatherings to toy events and community activities, there is always something different happening. The museum also offers flexible event spaces for private parties, corporate gatherings, club events, meetings, and celebrations.
"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 museum invites both longtime supporters and first-time visitors to experience the collection. Located at 2550 McMillan Parkway in Fort Worth, Texas, it offers free admission and welcomes families, car enthusiasts, toy collectors, and well-behaved dogs. 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. With more than 200 cars, thousands of toys, free admission, and events throughout the year, there is plenty to discover. After being named Best of Texas, the museum has one simple message: Thank you, Texas. We couldn't have done it without you.
