Image via Complex Original
It’s almost universally acknowledged that one of the best things about summer is watching a movie outside. One of your favorite movies playing on a giant outdoor film projector, while you catch a nice summer breeze—it’s the perfect way to banish those icy winter memories. But if you really want to get the summer movie experience, go to one of the theaters that actually started the outdoor-screening trend: the drive-in. Whether you’re on a date, out with your family, or hanging with friends, going to the drive-in is an amazing way to spend a summer night. What’s not to like? You can choose your own seat, have as much room as you want, and, thanks to the magic of tuning into the drive-in radio station, you can also react to the movie as loudly as you want. (Plus, most drive-ins are way cheaper than regular movie theaters, so that’s not terrible, either.) Here are just a few of the country’s best drive-in options.
Vineland Drive-In
Location: City of Industry, Calif.
In a city infamous for gridlock, it’s a relief to find such a fun use for your car at the Vineland Drive-In. Catch a movie and a gorgeous sunset just 40 minutes east of downtown Los Angeles, where the Vineland shows new releases seven days a week, rain or shine. It even sets up some double features for ambitious moviegoers—or maybe just the ones who brought too many snacks for just one flick. (While the Vineland has a snack bar, you can bring as many snacks from home as you like.) Plus, tickets are never more than $9.50.
Wellfleet Cinemas Drive-In Theater
Location: Cape Cod, Mass.
The Wellfleet has been a favorite for drive-in aficionados since it was built in 1957. It even has some of its ’50s era speakers, which is mostly for nostalgic purposes. (They recommend you listen to the movie through the radio these days.) The Wellfleet can be great for families, since it has a playground nearby for whenever kids get restless. But its location right on the gorgeous Cape Cod beach makes the Wellfleet great for well, everyone. Also, they have a snack bar with hamburgers, hot dogs, milkshakes, popcorn…basically all the classics.
Shankweiler’s Drive-In
Location: Orenfield, Pa.
Shankweiler’s claims to be the United States’ oldest functional drive-in—it has shown movies every year since 1934. (The first opened in Camden, N.J. in 1933.) Shankweiler’s is as straight up as drive-ins get, with one screen that shows two blockbusters a night and a snack bar with funnel cake. In addition to all the usual suspects—burgers, popcorn, Dixie cups, and Chipwiches—you can also grab some barbecue brisket for less than five bucks.
Cherry Bowl Drive In
Location: Honor, Mich.
Aside from having one of the most charming names in the theater business, the Cherry Bowl Drive-In is committed to its ’50s roots. Its diner popcorn is popped in “the original 1953 popper,” and it’s also the only drive-in on this list to have a mini-golf course (with a windmill, they hastened to add) on standby. Additionally, Cherry Bowl is home to pony rides, visits from movie characters, and some of the best vintage signage in the drive-in business—so yes, there will be plenty to Instagram if the movie just isn’t keeping your attention. In Cherry Bowl’s words: “Rain or shine, dusk is the time!”
Galaxy Drive-In
Location: Ennis, Texas
This drive-in, 30 minutes outside Dallas, gets extra points for extra screens—seven, to be exact. Each screen shows two movies a night, and it’s up to you whether you want to stretch your ticket’s value into a double feature. There’s even a 3D-outdoor screen (one of the only ones in the country), adorable vintage radios for your car, and yes, another mini-golf course. If you fall in love with it over the summer, you’re in luck because Galaxy is open all year round. It does not allow outside food, but there’s an extensive snack bar to quench all of your needs.
Blue Fox Drive-In
Location: Well Harbor, Wash.
If you’re looking for something to do before your movie, you can’t do much better than Blue Fox’s go-karts, which are up and running every day until dusk. If you’re more of an indoor cat, there’s also an arcade adjacent to the theater. Once you work up an appetite, daily specials like $2.00 corndogs, free chili and cheese fries, and 75-cent hotdogs should tide you over for the show.
Family Drive-In Theatre
Location: Stephens City, Va.
This theater has been entertaining the D.C. metropolitan area since 1956, and it takes pride in its mission of entertaining families. Not only does it always screen double features for the price of one, but it also routinely holds special events for the movies of the season. This year, you can visit the drive-in’s yard sale as part of the 43-mile Route 11 yard crawl, or spend Labor Day weekend watching a mix of classic and contemporary movies, from dawn until dusk.