Haddoncoach 22 Posted December 23, 2017 My buddies and I have been talking about going out to Harrisburg for the Great American Outdoor Show in February. Does anyone have any experience with this show? Worth the trip from S. Jersey? Go on weekday vs weekend? What to see? Buying? In addition I’d like to thank everyone especially the moderators on the forum - I’ve learned a lot and continue to enjoy the people I’ve met ... (Lou!) Merry Christmas and Happy New Year or whatever you choose to celebrate as your Holiday. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Purple Patrick 638 Posted December 23, 2017 If you come Thursday-Sunday you can meet me at the Henry booth I've never been otherwise Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
T Bill 649 Posted December 23, 2017 If you never have been there, it's worth the trip. I still go most years just to see what's new. Best to avoid either weekend as it is very busy. Tuesday to Thursday is best but still a good crowd if the weather is good. You have to go early, parking is complicated and limited near the venue. Park at the Harrisburg Mall free and jump on the free bus, or at the Elmerton lot and pay $10 to park per car and take bus down the hill (fastest way). The lot at the hall is packed even before the venue opens best to avoid it. Buy your tix ahead on-line. Fastest way in. Make a list of what you want to see and do that first. Can you see it all in a day? Depends on how much and how long you take in each hall. I go only for the day, it's 2 hrs each way so it's a long day, aftdr about 8 hours I've had enough and head out. You can spend two days there if you have a lot to cover. PP, I'll miss you then, heading to FL this year so I only have the first three days to attend, if at all. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maintenanceguy 509 Posted December 23, 2017 I've been but not every year. I go without a plan and just wander around. I can see all I want to see in one day but it takes all day. Don't even try the weekend. Pick the coldest, rainiest, snowiest, worst weekday when nobody else wants to drive or leave the house. Get there before they open for the day. By noon, you can be fighting crowds. I'll be taking a day off of work to go. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Krdshrk 3,872 Posted January 7, 2018 Intrigued about this year - Anyone else planning on going? I could probably take a day or two off and go midweek. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fishnut 2,358 Posted January 7, 2018 I'm going with a few friends on the 11th Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LoneSniper 4 Posted January 7, 2018 I am hoping to find time off work to go. Would go Tuesday, stay till it closes, get a cheap room for the night and head back to NNJ via a long Cabela's visit on Wednesday. Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
T Bill 649 Posted January 7, 2018 Port Clinton Hotel up RT 61 from Cabelas for a great meal. Nothing to look at, but food is great. Been there for over 100 years. Popular stop for AT through hikers. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Purple Patrick 638 Posted January 7, 2018 Port Clinton Hotel up RT 61 from Cabelas for a great meal. Nothing to look at, but food is great. Been there for over 100 years. Popular stop for AT through hikers.This the place with the cheesesteaks?Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
T Bill 649 Posted January 7, 2018 1 minute ago, Purple Patrick said: This the place with the cheesesteaks? Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk Well, they do serve a bunch of them. http://portclintonhotel.net/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Purple Patrick 638 Posted January 7, 2018 Well, they do serve a bunch of them. http://portclintonhotel.net/That's the place, a little local looking but the food is slammingSent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ray Ray 3,566 Posted January 7, 2018 I'll be there. 3 things to ponder 1. Camo will be abound 2. Prepare for sweaty, stinky people 3. Parking sucks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vladtepes 1,060 Posted January 7, 2018 when is the show.. I actually work in Harrisburg.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ray Ray 3,566 Posted January 7, 2018 41 minutes ago, vladtepes said: when is the show.. I actually work in Harrisburg.. https://www.greatamericanoutdoorshow.org/?utm_source=reachlocal&utm_campaign=tickets&utm_medium=ppc&scid=3620805&cid=2419365&tc=18010710201293407&rl_key=7b601e36f9a9d1d343b5d5ffcbe8f898&kw=29133531:0&pub_cr_id=243165421818&dynamic_proxy=1&primary_serv=www.greatamericanoutdoorshow.org&rl_track_landing_pages=1&rl_retarget=1&rl_retarget_none=50_289766_1|50_289769_1|50_292587_1|50_292588_1|50_294554_1|38_295097_1|38_297305_1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
samtechlan 23 Posted January 7, 2018 Can you buy firearms or ammo at the show? If so how do prices compare to, say, the Oaks gun show? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
T Bill 649 Posted January 7, 2018 4 minutes ago, samtechlan said: Can you buy firearms or ammo at the show? If so how do prices compare to, say, the Oaks gun show? NO! No gun sales or ammo sales. You can buy some accessories. So far I am thinking I may change whether I go. Exhibitor list shows no Remington, Walther, Benelli, Beretta. Ruger never goes. I got this feeling the big gun dogs are dropping out! Price? Length? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
W2MC 1,699 Posted January 8, 2018 Thinking about going too...havent been since the NRA took over the show Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LoneSniper 4 Posted January 8, 2018 I'll be there. 3 things to ponder 1. Camo will be abound 2. Prepare for sweaty, stinky people 3. Parking sucksYes if you are not wearing 5:11 pants, RealTree/MossyOak hoody and a pack with molle straps you are doing the show wrong. I've found parking is ok if you arrive before 10am. I've had no problems parking in 2014 and 16.Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Krdshrk 3,872 Posted January 8, 2018 Change #1 to cosplay, and you've got NY Comic Con. I should fit right in minus the stinky. Anyone going for a day maybe wanna Carpool? 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NJLEFTY 7 Posted January 13, 2018 There is also lunch at cracker barrel and a stop at cabelas. Didnt go last year but the last time i went there was a room with most of the gun manufacturers with all of their products on display that was really cool. If you are looking to book a hunt somewhere you should def go to this show They have 2 rooms of just outfitters including all the guys you see on tv . I booked my bear hunt and my whitetail hunt at this show. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GunsnFreedom 245 Posted January 16, 2018 Outdoor show, Cabelas and cheesesteaks, damn this sounds like fun. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Purple Patrick 638 Posted February 7, 2018 So who is coming to say hi to me?Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pew Pew Plates 358 Posted February 7, 2018 19 minutes ago, Purple Patrick said: So who is coming to say hi to me? Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk The team and I are coming Sunday to say hi! 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zeke 5,504 Posted February 7, 2018 Should be a huge Elk trophy I’m installing next week Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fishnut 2,358 Posted February 7, 2018 19 minutes ago, Purple Patrick said: So who is coming to say hi to me? Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk I'm still trying to come on Sunday Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maintenanceguy 509 Posted February 7, 2018 Kept my 11 year old son home from school and took him to the show yesterday. I was suprised how big the crowds were in the afternoon on a work day. Good show, same stuff I saw 2 years ago so it wasn't as exciting as I had hoped. Crowds in the afternoon kept us from getting a good view of some tables. If you're shopping for anything gun or hunting related, you'll find it here. We left the show mid afternoon and had an early dinner at the Shady Maple. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ray Ray 3,566 Posted February 8, 2018 15 hours ago, Purple Patrick said: So who is coming to say hi to me? I will Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
falcone 89 Posted February 8, 2018 I’d like to try and go Saturday. It’s the only day I have available. But would it be worth it to drive 2 and a half hours for it? On a Saturday how early should someone get there to not have to wait in line for a long time? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RecessedFilter 222 Posted February 8, 2018 I've known a few old guys that have gone the past years and they've said the gun sections have drastically decreased. A lot more fishing and hunting stuff than guns and that's held me back from going as I don't have much interest in the others. A friend just went yesterday and I told him that it wasn't what it used to be. Like me, he's big into guns but not much else that's there. He thought he'd make the trip anyway and he texted me mid afternoon and said it wasn't worth it at all. Got to see some cool things walking around but not worth the 5hr round trip to walk around. I called him after work and he said over 50% of vendors were guides, he was shocked to see so many. You could buy a permit to shoot an elephant, mountain lion, anteater, probably mice too. Apparently gun vendors were minimal as was their gun inventory with some large gun companies just having an empty tent (?) but Mossberg had the best set up in his opinion. At the same time, it was Wednesday so maybe the weekend days will have more gun vendors? I dont want to rain on everyone's parade but wanted to share that since it sounds like some ppl are on the fence. Not saying my buddy shares everyone's opinion but it sounded pretty lame. It's just not worth it for me. I'd rather save the 5hr drive, gas for my truck and stupid shit I'll buy out there and put it towards...say...my Shockwave! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nucrunner 75 Posted February 8, 2018 19 hours ago, Purple Patrick said: So who is coming to say hi to me? Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk I’ll be there Friday morning....will look you up. I have a Henry Big Boy Steel 38/357, maybe you can show me something I don’t know about it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites