5 Places to See Drive-in Movies in North America
We can all watch movies almost anywhere and anytime, thanks to our ubiquitous mobile devices, but nothing beats the old-school drive-in movie. Here are four places in North America where you can still see a drive-in movie.
1. Georgetown Drive-In, Georgetown, Indiana
One of the great things about drive-ins is that they inspire loyalty in a way that few indoor, chain-brand cinemas do. Check out Georgetown's
Facebook and
Yelp pages, where fans and followers are effusively enthusiastic about the drive-in; comments like "I love this drive in!!!"; "Thanks for keeping this place going!"; "Best drive-in ever!" are characteristic of the interactions and feedback this drive-in receives. Clearly, there's lots of local nostalgia for memories made here; this season, it was the site of vow renewals for a couple who had been married for 30 years.
Georgetown Drive-In features two screens, each of which shows two movies per night. Movies are as cheap as $5 if you print a coupon from Georgetown's Facebook page. Like any good drive-in, this one has a concession stand, and it specializes in deep-fried velvet Twinkies.
2. Stevie Rae's South-Western Drive-In Theatre, Tilbury, Ontario
Unlike most drive-ins,
Stevie Rae's South Western Drive In Theatre is a new build—it just opened this summer. The owners wanted to revive drive-in movies for a generation that hadn't experienced them. The current projectors were salvaged from a defunct drive-in in Windsor, but the screen and the drive-in itself are brand new. As its name suggests, this drive-in has a western theme, and the owners intend to expand operations to include a flea market and western swap meet.
Thursdays are the best time to catch a first-run movie at Stevie Rae's, as a carload of moviegoers costs just $15.
3. Starlite Drive-In, Grand Bend, Ontario
Grand Bend's Starlite is one of
17 surviving "Starlite" branded drive-ins in North America (in 1955 there were 171 drive-ins that shared the name). Movies here are first-run, but everything else is old-fashioned: a cartoon before the feature, 25-cent soda and popcorn refills, and cash-only admission ($9.50 for adults/$6 for kids).
4. Hi-Way Drive-In, Santa Maria, California
Located just off Highway 101 in Santa Maria, the Hi-Way is a total throw-back to the golden days of the drive-in. For just $7, you can see a double feature. Hi-Way is a single-screen drive-in, so regulars recommend getting in early for a prime parking spot.
5. Wellfleet Drive-In, Wellfleet, Massachusetts
This seasonal drive-in (runs May through Labor Day) may be the most expensive on our list at $9 per person, but in addition to showing a double feature, there are a few extras that come included in the price, like a playground for kids you want to tire out before the show. For a few dollars extra, you can play retro mini-golf or grab a snack at the Dairy Bar.
Do you have a favorite drive-in? Tell us in the comments!
