Bucket list card shows

[Mike Eisenbath]

Hey all!

I recently joined the ranks of the retired (huzzah!) and would like to plan trips to outside my area (St Louis) in 2026 to visit the best vintage/pre-war card shows. Ideally I would drive, but I have time to enjoy that kind of trip.

What are your top 4 suggestions? Besides The National and Strongsville, that is. I always hit the former and already have the latter planned. I'd like to make at least 2 others in 2026 and 2 different ones in 2027.

I always heard I should make Chantilly, but ... heard it's not continuing?

Thank you for your thoughts.

Eise


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[Jewish-collector]

Not sure how much vintage there is or isn't, but I would suggest these (not in any order)

National (NSCC)
Dallas Card Show
Chantilly show
Philly show
Strongsville show
West Coast card show
Nashville card show at Fairgrounds

See you at the National !!!

[rand1com]

Philadelphia
Boston November Shriner's Show
Chantilly

Many of the same dealers will be at all 3 of these shows but for vintage and some pre war, these are the best ones outside of the National and Strongsville. There will be a significant number of modern dealers at all of these as well.

[The Detroit Collector]

Philly
Chantilly
East Coast National
Dallas

[Brent G.]

In addition to The National, Rosemont has two nice shows in late-November and mid-March as well.

[OhioLawyerF5]

The show in Shipshewana, Indiana (twice a year) is a hidden gem in the middle of nowhere. Over 400 tables and growing. There is a bit of everything there, so you will have to deal with a good bit of modern cards, but vintage is there too. I go every year.

I also went to the show in Phoenix while I was out at spring training this year. It was also a very large show worth checking out. I had never heard of it, but it was every bit as good as the regional shows in the east/midwest I go to.

[Leon]

+1 These...

Originally Posted by The Detroit Collector

Philly
Chantilly
East Coast National
Dallas

[skelly]

I would put the Garfield NJ show up against any one day show. You do get a lot of the same dealers every show ( show runs once every two weeks ) good mix of vintage & new stuff. About 50/50 split. I usually go to the show then hike at Harriman State park about 30 minutes north. Great start to a Sunday. Would recommend to anyone who has never been and is within a 90 minute drive.