34 ‘Run to the Sun’ Hot Rod Show
Lake Havasu City
If 1932 Ford Roadsters with custom flame jobs turn your crank, head to Arizona’s West Coast October 21-25 for the 32nd-annual “Run to the Sun” Hot Rod Show. Lake Havasu City is a haven for hot-rodders, says Bill Junge, the Webmaster and “the lucky guy who gets to answer the phone calls” for the event. “We have more old cars per capita here than anywhere else in the country,” Junge says. Expect between 800 and 1,000 street rods dating from 1927 to 1960 at the show, plus a “cruise night” down Main Street and a Sunday parade during which owners rev their engines and strut their stuff.
Elevation: 575 feet
Directions: Take I-10 west (almost to California) to Highway 95 north to Lake Havasu City. Check the Website for this year’s show location.
Driving Time: 3.5 hours (206 miles)
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission: $7 for a one-day pass or $10 for a two-day pass to get into the car show. Thursday’s “cruise night” is free. Proceeds go to local charities.
Lodging: golakehavasu.com
Info: 928-855-0933 or relicsandrods.com

35 Oktoberfest on Mt. Lemmon Summerhaven
Bundle up and drink from a German stein among pine and aspen trees – the way Oktoberfest was meant to be celebrated. From Tucson, you’ll have to drive 30 miles and up five ecosystems to get there, but Oktoberfest on Mt. Lemmon serves up brats, bochen and strudel, and features German bands and dancers. Summerhaven’s kinder, gentler Oktoberfest has a three-drink limit unless you have a designated driver. That’s a good thing, because unless you’ve had the foresight to snag a cabin rental – and they are sparse since the 2003 Aspen Fire – you’ve got five ecosystems to drive back down.
Elevation: 8,200 to 9,100 feet
Directions: Take I-10 to Tucson and exit east at Speedway Boulevard. Turn left at Pantano Road, which curves into Tanque Verde Road. Turn left on the Catalina Highway to Summerhaven.
Driving Time: 2.5 hours (141 miles)
Hours: Noon to 5 p.m. on the last two weekends of September and the first two weekends of October
Admission: Free
Lodging: Check Mt. Lemmon real estate (mtlemmonrealty.com) for cabin rentals or visittucson.org for Tucson accommodations.
Info: tucsonattractions.com