USA TODAY 10Best
Rev up your passion: 10 best car shows of the year
Best Car Show (2023)
Some auto shows look to the past in celebration of classic cars, while others set their sights on the future with cutting edge technology and the latest reveals. While hundreds of these events take place across the nation each year, our readers voted these as the 10 best car shows for 2023.
- Los Angeles Auto Show - Los Angeles, California
- The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering - Carmel, California
- RADwood - Multiple locations
- Triple Crown of Rodding - Lebanon, Tennessee
- Woodward Dream Cruise - Detroit, Michigan
- Cars & Coffee - M1 Concourse - Pontiac, Michigan
- Iola Old Car Show - Iola, Wisconsin
- NSRA Street Rod Nationals - Louisville, Kentucky
- MSRA Back to the 50's Weekend - St. Paul, Minnesota
- Cruisin' The Coast - Mississippi Gulf Coast
Photo courtesy of Jim Donnelly
No. 10:
The Los Angeles Convention Center hosts this event, "one of the world's largest auto shows." Guests can shop for new vehicles with free test drives or experience a showcase of customized cars at "The Garage." They can also meet celebrities from a variety of entertainment worlds for selfies and autograph sessions.
Photo courtesy of Rolex/Tom O'Neal
No. 9:
The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering is not your typical car show. "It's a really expensive ticket, but once you’re inside (or outside, on the 18th hole of the Quail golf course), you get to sip Champagne, slurp oysters, and wander among the best collection of classic cars in the world," says expert Mike Guy. Comprised of motorcars from around the globe, the Quail showcases pre- and post-war classes of sports and racing cars, racing motorcycles and much more.
Photo courtesy of Lane Skelton / RADwood
No. 8:
RADwood showcases cars from the '80s and '90s, with visitors donning fashion from the era. This fun and colorful event doesn't take itself too seriously and offers an excellent opportunity to see nostalgic vehicles like the Lamborghini Jalpa or the DeLorean.
Photo courtesy of Gary Case
No. 7:
Taking place at Nashville Superspeedway, the Triple Crown of Rodding is "the premier event for hot rods and trucks," says expert Joel Kokoska. The event celebrates hot rods, customs, classics and muscle cars made through 1972 along with American-made trucks through 1998. Other activities include meet-and-greets with industry celebrities, cruising the track, a swap meet, concerts and more.
Photo courtesy of Matt Weigand /The Ann Arbor News via AP
No. 6:
In 1995, the first Woodward Dream Cruise took place as a small fundraiser to support a local soccer field. Today, it's the world's largest one-day automotive event, with some 40,000 classic cars and over 1 million people in attendance.
Photo courtesy of M1 Concourse
No. 5:
This event at M1 Concourse brings together like-minded car enthusiasts for a morning of cars, coffee and camaraderie. This popular monthly event features a different manufacturer each time, so there’s always something new to see.
Photo courtesy of QCWilly Photography
No. 4:
One of the longest running car shows in the country, the Iola Old Car Show brings in more than 120,000 attendees to check out 2,500 show cars, 4,000 swap spaces and 350 for sale car corral spaces. Then there's the concerts, special guests, pin-up contest and other activities throughout the weekend. This year's event highlights cars from the 1950s but welcomes cars of any era in a variety of categories.
Photo courtesy of Louie Mayall
No. 3:
"The original national event for classic cars and trucks," according to expert Joel Kokoska, the National Street Rod Association's Street Rod Nationals features cars that are 30 years old and older, along with a swap meet, a builders' showcase, live concerts and much more. The event also includes the autocross at the NSRA Street Rod Nationals specifically for cars that do not meet the NSRA requirements for registration.
Photo courtesy of MSRA
No. 2:
The Minnesota State Fairgrounds in St. Paul hosts Back To The 50's each summer – a celebration of hot rods, customs and classics with nearly 12,000 registered vehicles. The event also includes live '50s music, a flyover and a gigantic swap meet, as well as activities and games for kids and 'tweens.
Photo courtesy of Cruisin' The Coast
No. 1:
Cruisin' The Coast is considered “America’s largest block party.” Imagine more than 7,000 vehicles – hot rods, classics, antique vehicles – in a massive car show along the beachside highway on the Mississippi Coast. Car lovers adore this annual event, which has taken over the Mississippi Gulf Coast every year since its inception in 1996. Cruise between the different venues, each a festival in and of itself, and catch live music, food, merchandise, a car auction, swap meet, parade and plenty of car talk.
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The Experts
Joel Kokoska
Like so many in the automotive industry, my... Read More
Like so many in the automotive industry, my passion for all things automotive started at an early age with memories of Hot Wheels and car shows! As I grew up in a car culture family my automotive path started like many with an afterschool job at a local hot rod shop. Working in a small business, I saw many sides to the business which helped shape my understanding of the highs and lows a business owner goes through to meet the demands of the business. I have been involved in the hot rod industry for over 33 years now and continue to help ensure the continuation of the industry and expand its footprint to the next generation of hot rodders by currently serving on the Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) committee for SEMA. Stay connected with me through my channels on Instagram or LinkedIn.
Joel Kokoska
Like so many in the automotive industry, my passion for all things automotive started at an early age with memories of Hot Wheels and car shows! As I grew up in a car culture family my automotive path started like many with an afterschool job at a local hot rod shop. Working in a small business, I saw many sides to the business which helped shape my understanding of the highs and lows a business owner goes through to meet the demands of the business. I have been involved in the hot rod industry for over 33 years now and continue to help ensure the continuation of the industry and expand its footprint to the next generation of hot rodders by currently serving on the Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) committee for SEMA. Stay connected with me through my channels on Instagram or LinkedIn.
Mike Guy
Mike Guy was named editor-in-chief of Road... Read More
Mike Guy was named editor-in-chief of Road & Track in January 2020. He was the founder and former editor-in-chief of The Drive. Prior to starting The Drive, Guy was the digital director of Maxim and an articles editor at Details. Earlier in his career, Guy was an editor and feature writer for Rolling Stone. He has written for publications including Playboy, GQ, and Vanity Fair, and his articles on motorsports were included in the Best American Sports Writing anthology.
Mike Guy
Mike Guy was named editor-in-chief of Road & Track in January 2020. He was the founder and former editor-in-chief of The Drive. Prior to starting The Drive, Guy was the digital director of Maxim and an articles editor at Details. Earlier in his career, Guy was an editor and feature writer for Rolling Stone. He has written for publications including Playboy, GQ, and Vanity Fair, and his articles on motorsports were included in the Best American Sports Writing anthology.
Catherine Smith
Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards... Read More
Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards Production Manager and Social Media Director for USA TODAY 10Best, has a special interest in unique culinary experiences and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Catherine is the founder of Her Bags Were Packed where she focuses on helping women release emotional baggage through solo travel and self-discovery.
Catherine Smith
Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards Production Manager and Social Media Director for USA TODAY 10Best, has a special interest in unique culinary experiences and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Catherine is the founder of Her Bags Were Packed where she focuses on helping women release emotional baggage through solo travel and self-discovery.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
