Cars have the power to transport us back in time or help us better understand a time that we were never part of. They impress us with their power. They captivate us with their beauty and styling. They're a symbol of the American dream and in many cases a reflection of ourselves.

This summer take a ride down memory lane by checking out one of the many car shows and cruise nights that take place right here in New Jersey. We've assembled a list of the summer's best. Enjoy a celebration of a true American obsession, our love affair with the automobile.

  • June 3rd - First Friday Cruise Nights in Old Bridge

    3877 US Hwy 9 Old Bridge, NJ (5:30pm - 9pm)

    Everyone is invited for this family fun. Food, shopping, trophies and more. Other dates will be: July 1st, August 5th, September 2nd, and October 3rd.

  • June 4th - Downtown West Orange Classic Car Show & Street Fair

    Main St. & Park Avenue West Orange, NJ (10am - 4pm)

    Free admission. Proceeds to benefit Friends of Thomas Edison National Historical Park. There will be entertainment, as well as attractions for all ages.

  • June 4th - ALCC 5th Annual Spring ALL CAR SHOW

    2245 Route 130 South Dayton, NJ (11:30am - 4pm)

    Free admission. Music, giveaways, food, trophies! Street rods, pro-streeters, customs, modified trucks, racing cars, classics, all imports, stock production, motorcycles! All makes and models welcome - $15 participation fee.

  • June 5th - Waldwick Community Alliance Annual Car Show

    Waldwick Train Station 4 Hewson Ave. Waldwick, NJ (9:30am - 3pm)

    Rain date: June 12th. Live music featuring Yosemite and Mike Moat and the Golden Reflections doing Eternally Elvis. All makes and models, cars, bikes and trucks. Trophies in all classes. Food and drinks. Proceeds to benefit Waldwick Museum of Local History.

  • June 11th - Flemington Classic Car Show

    72 Main Street, Flemington, NJ (5pm - 8:30pm)

    FREE Registration, all makes & models, door prizes, trophies, live music and children’s activities. Also appearing DJ Dan Henry.

  • June 11th - The North Jersey Thunderbird Association 34th Annual Car Show

    60 Sunset Rd, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444 (9am - 3pm)

    Free admission. Thunderbird only show. Trophies awarded in classes from 1955 to 2005. Door prizes and tricky trays. Food and restrooms on site.

  • June 12th - Bimmers & Brauts-Würste Annual Car Show

    BMW of Bridgewater. 655 Route 202/206 (11a m- 4pm)

    100th Anniversary of BMW. Rain date: June 26th. A variety of performance oriented vehicles including heritage BMW models. Plus food from The Flying Deutschman food truck, beverages, prizes & giveaways, DJ, and more.

  • June 13th - Handle Bars and Hot Rods Cruise Night @ D'Jais

    1801 Ocean Avenue, Belmar NJ (5pm - 9pm)

    Other dates: July 11th and August 8th.

  • June 14th - Sitting Duck Restaurant Cruise Night

    104 Myrtle Ave, Long Branch, NJ (5pm - 9pm)

    All car enthusiasts welcome. Live DJ and $10.00 voucher for the restaurant (vouchers for car show participants only and must be used the night of the event) Other dates: July 12, August 9 and September 13.

  • June 15th - Belmar Cruise Night

    Street between 8th & 10th Avenues (6pm - 9pm)

    Music, dash plaques & plenty of restaurants. Vintage autos prior to 1986. Other dates: July 20, Aug 17, Sept 21.

  • June 18th - South Bound Brook Fire Co. No. 1 Classic Car Cruise

    Memorial Park, Elizabeth St, South Bound Brook, NJ (9am - 1pm)

    Bring your favorite ride and show it off. Registration is $10 and supports the South Bound Brook Fire Co. Stick around after the cruise for the vintage baseball game.

  • June 25th - 4th Annual Car Show & Street Fair

    210 Chestnut Street At City Hall (Between 1st & 3rd Ave) Roselle, NJ (10am - 4 pm)

    All cars, trucks, and bikes welcome. DJ Hot Rod Mike. Cash prizes. Free registration. Pie eating contest and more. Rain date is June 26th.

  • June 28th - 2nd Annual "Cruisin' on the Avenue" Car Show

    Park Avenue between Highland Cr & Ames Ave. Rutherford, NJ (5pm - 10pm)

    Open to all vehicles, fun for the whole family. Open air restaurants, music, games, movie in Lincoln Park. Trophies awarded. Registration and line up at 4 pm.

  • July 6th - First Wednesday Cruise Night in Long Branch

    310 Rt.36 East W. Long Branch NJ (5pm - 9pm)

    Rods, customs, classics, race cars welcome. DJ music and food will be available. A cool meet and greet so tell your friends. Other dates will be: August 3rd, and September 7th.

  • July 9th - Trans Am-All Pontiac Run

    Crossroads Plaza Shopping Mall in Edison NJ (1:30pm)

    Caravan down to the Cruise Night in beautiful downtown Flemington NJ, Trophies. Free.

  • July 9th - Flemington Classic Car Show

    72 Main Street, Flemington, NJ (5pm - 8:30pm)

    FREE Registration, all makes & models. Featured cars: GTO, Firebird, Pontiac. Door prizes, trophies, live music and children’s activities. Also appearing DJ Dan Henry.

  • July 13th - 2016 Cranford Car Show

    Alden St. and North Ave., Cranford, NJ (5:30pm - 9:00pm)

    Open to the public. Free registration. Giveaways People's choice trophy and other Awards Hula hoop Contest. Entertainment and more.

  • July 16th - The Veterans Group Car Show

    Camden County College - 200 College Drive, Blackwood, NJ (5pm - 8pm)

    Grand Prize of $1,000! Raffle to win a restored 1981 Chevy Camaro with a rebuilt 350 engine and transmission.Hot Rods Classic, Antiques/Classics, Late Model Foreign, and Late Model American. Trophies. 50% of the proceeds will go the Veterans Group. Games, food, live music, entertainment and more.

  • July 23rd - Flemington Classic Car Show

    72 Main Street, Flemington, NJ (5pm - 8:30pm)

    FREE Registration, all makes & models. Featured cars: Mustangs and Tbirds. Door prizes, trophies, live music and children’s activities. Also appearing DJ Dan Henry.

  • July 30th - The Car, Truck & Bike Show

    Everest Institute - 5000 Hadley Road, South Plainfield, NJ (Noon - 5:30pm)

    Over $5,000.00 in prizes. This is not just a show, it’s AN EXPERIENCE!! A portion of the proceeds to benefit local U.S. Veterans & H.S. Scholarships. Live Band & DJs, Kiddie Rides, Club Competitions & Games, Vendors, T-Shirt & Souvenir Water Bottle For The First 300 Registrants. Rain date: Sunday July 31st.

  • Aug. 8th - Flemington Classic Car Show

    72 Main Street, Flemington, NJ (5pm - 8:30pm)

    FREE Registration, all makes & models. Featured cars: Corvettes. Door prizes, trophies, live music and children’s activities. Also appearing DJ Dan Henry.

  • Aug. 10th - 2016 Cranford Car Show

    Open to the public. Free registration. Giveaways People's choice trophy and other Awards Hula hoop Contest. Entertainment and more.

  • Aug. 7th - Annual Metuchen Rescue Squad Benefit Car, Truck & Motorcycle Show

    400 Grove Avenue, Metuchen, NJ (10am - 3pm)

    Open to all makes, years, and models of vehicles. Trophies awarded. Rain date: Aug. 21st.

  • Aug. 20th - Flemington Classic Car Show

    72 Main Street, Flemington, NJ (5pm - 8:30pm)

    FREE Registration, all makes & models. Featured cars: British invasion and Foreign cars. Door prizes, trophies, live music and children’s activities. Also appearing DJ Dan Henry.

  • Aug. 28th - Hot Fun Sunday - Digs at ETown

    Raceway Park in Englishtown NJ (9am - 4pm)

    Old school drag racing. Food. Music. Hot rod car show.

More From New Jersey 101.5 FM