Thoughts of the Pacific Northwest conjure up beautiful images of our national forests and the sparkling Puget Sound. While greens and blues reign supreme in this slice of the South Puget Sound, during the summer months, our favorite color is chrome.

Whether you’re a gear-head or just up for a nostalgic road-trip, Tacoma and surrounding cities will welcome you with festivals, car shows, cruise-ins and more.

No one celebrates the love of vintage cars better than the folks who host  North America’s largest automotive collection, LeMay--America’s Car Museum. Through the end of July, you can participate in a Collector Car Scavenger Hunt inside the museum or take a spin outside in one of their historic vehicles through the end of September.

If you prefer two wheels, the Vintage Motorcycle Festival, takes place at America’s Car Museum July 30. And throughout the year you can enjoy Cruise-Ins, hot rods, and their spectacular collection.

Nearby, the collection continues at the LeMay Family Collection at Marymount. This is a cozy look at an assembly of cars from pop-culture touch-points to the classics. The museum is open year round, but the LeMay Car Show Aug. 27 stands on its own. This event that started out as a simple lemonade party on the front porch of Harold and Nancy LeMay’s home, has grown into one of the most highly anticipated car shows of the year, with more than 1,000 vintage vehicles coming to the castle-like grounds of the LeMay family property.

Beyond Tacoma city proper, Gear heads will bask in the smell of gasoline and the soft rumble of engines at the annual Good Guys Car Show in Puyallup. The weekend of activities get off to a roaring start with a hot rod drag race July 29, and the weekend fills out with live music, fair rides, classic and custom hot rods, and more than a few pompadours on display.

The curves of 1940s cars go great with a slice of pie and Americana, and you find that in spades in Sumner, host to the Classy Chassis Car Show Aug. 14. Sumner is not only the Rhubarb Pie Capital of the World, it is also a fantastic place to drive and see classic cars. In addition to the car show, you can also enjoy Drive Into Sumner, a pop-up drive in movie festival.

Events in the spring and fall

Fife Family Affair Car Show (spring) – in Fife

Pacific Northwest Concourse D ’Elegance (fall) – In Tacoma

Or visit our Events page.