Leonardo da Vinci museum(s) - Best one?

There are two in Venice, although I would not call them musuems, more an explanation of his work. A bunch of models, some repoduced documents. Excellent gor kids, maybe a bit too “explanatory” for grown ups.
One venue is in Campo San Barnaba, Ddorsoduro, the other near the Frari in Santa Croce. As you face the front door of the Frari, go around to the left of the church, Leonardo will be on your right after fifty metres.

I don’t know what an authentic Leonardo museum is. There are a few throughout Italy, and all artifacts are reconstructions from Leonardo’s designs, they are not what Leonardo actually built. I’ve been to the one in Vinci (twice) only. Somehow I never made it to the one in Florence, where I go all the time, which I think is on Via de’ Servi, just steps from the Duomo.
If you have an interest in Leonardo and want to visit his birthplace, and his house, Vinci is a nice visit. Getting there is not a straight shot from anywhere, since it’s somewhat tucked away on the hills of the Val di Nievole, but with a car, you can get to it (going via Empoli is probably the fastest way).
If you don’t have time to drive there and you are in Florence long enough, you can visit the one in Florence. There are about 70 or 80 museums in Florence, including 5 of the 15 most visited in Italy, so you will have to make a choice, though.

Ps: I presume you know about the stringent traffic restrictions in the Florence city center. If you don’t search FLORENCE ZTL and read about it.

We did the one in Vinci (took a self-driving day trip from Lucca) in May a few years ago. As I recall, the museum there is mainly a collection of "modern day built" mechanical models of his creative drawings/sketches (I think paid for by General Electric). My main memory of the day was not the museum, but the drive through "drop dead gorgeous" countryside and the tiny/narrow streets leading to an in the town where Leonardo was born.

Are you familiar with Walter Isaacson’s biography Leonardo da Vinci? I liked it a lot.

Thanks, everyone, for the various tips. So perhaps we'll visit one in Venice and then Vinci sounds like a good destination too as we love driving through the countryside. My husband is the 'engineer' and I got him that book a while back, so wanted to add to that some experience in Italy. :)

I'm hoping to create an itinerary where we can drive some, then ditch the car since not needed within Florence or Venice, but need to work out logistics on that as well as what airport we'll use. We've dealt with rental pick-up or return before in Venice, Milan, and Rome. Another topic! ha, ha Thanks!

My recommendation is to fly into Venice and depart from Florence. You should leave Florence for last thing to visit, that way you can ditch the car as soon as you arrive.

My other recommendation is to go in late September or early October, because the longer you wait the higher the chance of nasty weather. Late October and early November is, based on weather stats, the wettest time of the year.

Little off topic but I hope you have the Museo Galileo (science museum) in Florence on the to-do list for this or another trip. It's great even for non-engineer who is interested in science, and a nice change even for art lovers.

We have gone to the museum in the hamlet of Vinci twice, it is fabulous. You need a car to get there it's between Lucca and Florence. Engineering students from all over the world have recreated his drawings and it presents so much history about this genius . It is well worth the time and effort.

Thank you, Roberto, Kc, and Marie for the additional input. I've decided on Sept 24-Oct 8 as time period and now will look at specific destination and departure. The Museo Galileo sounds like a must for us, and I think we'll love Vinci as well. Itinerary is starting to shape up! Getting excited to see Italy again!