American Drive In Movie Theaters
Going to see movies at the drive-in theater used to be a popular American pastime. With the rise of the multiplex, drive-ins fell out of favor. However, during COVID, drive-ins were one of the only safe ways to see a movie with a crowd.
At one point, there were more than 4,000 drive-in movie theaters across America. Now there are fewer than 200 in 25 states. With June 6 being National Drive In Movie Day, here is a look at some of those remaining American drive-in movie theaters in various states. Read on to see if your state has one of them.
Florida Drive-In Movie Theaters
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The very first drive-in opened in Miami in 1938. Today, there are just five traditional drive-in theaters left in Florida. The longest, continuously operating theater is the Silver Moon in Lakeland. It’s been an outdoor cinema since 1948.
Read the Article: Visiting Every Drive In Movie Theater in America
One New Jersey Drive in Theater Left in America
Drive-in movies got their start in America right here in New Jersey — Camden, New Jersey to be exact. It was 1933. These days, there is one remaining drive-in in the Garden State. It is the Delsea Drive-in Theatre in Vineland, which is in South Jersey and not too far from that first Camden drive in.
Read the Article: Visiting Every Drive In Movie Theater in America
Georgia Drive In Theaters
Georgia has just four drive-ins left in the state. The best known is the Starlight Drive-in Theatre on the outskirts of Atlanta. It has been showing movies outdoors since 1949.
Read the Article: Visiting Every Drive In Movie Theater in America
California Drive In Theaters
When I think about drive-in movie theaters in California, immediately I think of the iconic movie “Grease.” If you’ve seen that movie with John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John (among other stars), then you know that there are a number of pivotal scenes at the local drive in. Those scenes were filmed at a Burbank drive-in that no longer exists. However, the good news is that California is still home to at least two dozen drive-in theaters. You’ll find them both in Southern California and Northern California.
Read the Article: Visiting Every Drive In Movie Theater in America
Missouri Drive In Theaters
Missouri is home to a handful of drive-in theaters. They include the Sunset Drive-In Theater in Aurora, which opened in 1951, and the the Rock ‘N’ Roll Drive-In of Blomeyer. This latter theater was revitalized in 2020 during the pandemic and has continued to be a popular spot to see movies ever since.
Read the Article: Visiting Every Drive In Movie Theater in America
Maine Drive In Theaters
There are three noteworthy drive-in movie theaters in Southern Maine. They are the Bridgton Twin Drive In in Bridgton, Saco Drive In in Saco and Prides Corner in Westbrook.
Read the Article: Visiting Every Drive In Movie Theater in America
Pennsylvania Drive In Theaters
Supposedly, there are 20 drive-ins you could visit in Pennsylvania. However, despite having lived in the Keystone State for nearly two decades, I’m ashamed to admit that I never got to visit one. So, don’t be like me. Instead, make it a point to visit one of these fabulous drive-in movie theaters in Pennsylvania.
Read the Article: Visiting Every Drive In Movie Theater in America
Illinois Drive In Movie Theater
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One of the best-known drive-ins in Illinois is the Route 34 Drive In Theater in Earlville. Its outdoor movie season runs from April through the end of October. You can keep track of openings and closings and movies they’re showing on the Route 34 Drive In Facebook page.
Read the Article: Visiting Every Drive In Movie Theater in America
Colorado Drive In Theater
The only original drive-in still open in the greater Denver area, the 88 Drive-In Theatre in Commerce dates to 1972. On the other hand, there is the Holiday Twin Drive-In of Fort Collins, a Denver suburb. It shows both classic and modern movies. Another legit Colorado drive in is the Star Drive-In Theatre in Montrose. In April 2024 the theater celebrated 75 years of continuous operation.
Read the Article: Visiting Every Drive In Movie Theater in America
Rhode Island Drive In Theater
Rhode Island’s only drive-in movie theater is the Rustic Tri View Drive In. It is located in Smithfield, RI, 12 miles northwest of Providence and about an hour southwest of Boston. It’s on Route 146, thus the very cool, retro roadside sign.
Read the Article: Visiting Every Drive In Movie Theater in America
New York Drive Ins
New York has a ton of drive-in theaters. By one count, there are 18 of them still around. This includes one NYC drive-in movie theater in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. It’s called the Skyline Drive In, because it has a great view of the NYC skyline. The drive-in itself is on the East River waterfront. Also, since not everyone in New York City has a car, it has parking for bikes and scooters, too.
Read the Article: Visiting Every Drive In Movie Theater in America