Old Town

There comes a point in every Orlando vacation when you just need to take a break from Mickey, Minnie, and the rest of the gang. You want to do something a little different, but you don’t want to spend a ton of money. Well, consider heading over to Old Town in Kissimmee, Florida.

Old Town is an entertainment complex, complete with restaurants, shops, and even rides. But, that isn’t the reason you should go. Each week, the largest weekly car cruise in the country takes place here. Every Saturday, hundreds and hundreds of classic cars and hot rods line the streets of Old Town. Classic cars must be from 1974 or older. Cruisers start rolling in around 1PM, but the main action is at night. Around 7PM some of the best classic rock bands in the Orlando area rev up the crowd before the main event. Then around 8:30PM, get ready to be transported back in time as classic cars cruise the streets of Old Town.

Saturday nights aren’t the only cruise nights. Wednesday nights offer the Little Darlin’s Street Party and Cruise In. You can dance to your favorite American Bandstand songs as classic cars roll by. Friday nights are reserved for American Classics and Muscle Cars. This cruise features show quality cars from 1964 – 1979. Cruisers start lining up at 4PM, before the big cruise down the strip at 8:30PM.

Plus, there are plenty of special events that take place throughout the year. The National Corvette Restorers Society will be holding their winter national event here from 1/28/11 – 1/30/11. Future events will feature Edsels, Studebakers, and Model T’s.

The best part – there is no admission to enjoy the cruise-in. Plus, you don’t have to shell out $15 to park. Parking is free too. Yes, believe it or not, there is something free you can enjoy in the Orlando area!

For more information about upcoming events, visit their website: www.old-town.com

Hot August Nights in Reno, Nevada

If you are a classic car lover, then consider cruisin’ on over to Reno, Nevada. The annual Hot August Nights event takes place August 1st – August 8th. Reno, Sparks, and South Lake Tahoe play host to hundreds and hundreds of classic rides.

Love the classic cars of the 50’s and 60’s? Well, this will probably be as close to Heaven on Earth for the classic car lover. Classic T-Bird convertibles are lined up next to Vettes, GTO, Mustangs, ’57 Chevy’s, Lead Sleds, Rat-Rods, and more!!

Casinos around the area host “Show n Shine” competitions, classic car auctions, swap meets, gearhead games (think lug nut stacking), and classic car competitions. The best event – the nightly cruises in Reno & Sparks. Claim your spot on the curb and relive your youth as the classic cars roll on by.

Of course the 50’s and 60’s weren’t just about the cars, music played a huge role too. Each of the big casinos hosts nightly free entertainment!! This year’s lineup includes Herman’s Hermits, The Buckingham’s, Sonny Turner (lead singer of The Platters), tribute bands to Frankie Valli & The Beach Boys, and more!!

This is a great place to host an event. If you need a break from looking at all those classic cars, then head over to Lake Tahoe. Play golf on one of the many gorgeous courses or take a boat ride across the beautiful shimmering lake. And then there are the casinos like Harrah’s and Circus Circus. Maybe you will win big enough at the slots or poker tables to buy one of those classic rides. (Don’t bet on it!!)

For more information and event schedules, make sure to visit the official Hot August Nights website: www.hotaugustnights.net.