Drop by these cruise nights, cars ‘n’ coffee events and local shows

We’ll help you find turbocharged car shows and cruise nights on the North Shore that showcase the best on two and four wheels

If you’re a ‘car guy’ or ‘car gal’, there’s nothing better than hopping in your favorite ride on a warm summer night while cruising and playing the radio, with no particular place to go, as Chuck Berry sang.

Wait, what – there is something better? Oh yeah, if you’re driving to an evening cruise night or getting up early for cars ‘n’ coffee on Boston’s North Shore that is. From informal ‘drive and park’ events to more ambitious annual car shows that takeover entire downtown areas, there’s something going on almost every weekend during summer months.

Here are a few favorites.

Beverly Police Classic Car Show 

This is a fun one, held in late September. The Beverly Police Classic Car Show takes over beautiful Lynch Park, with its lovely grounds and waterfront location. There is plenty to keep kids occupied, too. Admission is free to all!

Carriagetown Car Show – Amesbury 

Amesbury’s vehicle credentials go back to the horse and carriage era. In fact, the Amesbury Carriage Museum houses a collection of carriages from the 1800s. The expertise necessary to manufacture carriages was leveraged by automobile manufactures as the internal combustion motor replaced the horse for locomotion, and Amebury turned out thousands of bodies for many makes cars through the 1930s. Today, Amesbury turns over its downtown area every year in late September to a celebration of the automobile at the Carriagetown Car Show. Music, food and yes, a bit of history round out the experience.

Swampscott’s Classics By The Sea Car Show

Swampscott’s Classics by the Sea Car Show is a new favorite – a well-attended show in a park by Swampscott’s downtown area. It’s another fall show held in late September or early October and the weather can be fine and the cars impressive. Check the Swampscott Recreation’s Facebook Page for current information. After checking out the show, wander into this nice lunch spot nearby, Pomona Cafe & Wine Bar.

Cruisin’ the 50’s in Newburyport

What’s more fun that strolling through one of the nicest downtown areas on Boston’s North Shore, enjoying classic cars from the Fonzie era and ducking into Newburyport’s fines stores and restaurants for a bit of shopping or a bite to eat? That’s what Cruisin’ the 50’s is all about. This mid-August event takes over State and Pleasant Streets, offering an opportunity to extend your visit by exploring Newburyport’s waterfront and nearby colonial-era neighborhoods. Check the newburyport.com site for photos of the cruise and this summer’s schedule.