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Richard Hollingshead Jr. first blessed us with the drive-in theater concept, opening in Camden, New Jersey during the summer of 1933. The idea caught on quick and by the 1950s it was the move to make on a Friday night, with over 4,000 to choose from across the country.
Today, they are fading relics, mostly just a thing of the past. Drive-ins provide a nostalgic experience under the stars that bring us back to the happy days with the biggest movie screens, amazing snack bars, and unbeatable admission prices. It is a movie experience unlike any other and a chance to support the endearing Mom and Pop tradition. Best of all, they are regaining popularity and making a proper comeback. Don't believe it? Check out this comprehensive list of the most unique drive-ins in existence today and go visit one near you for a quality night out.
The 25 Most Unique Drive-In Movie Theaters.
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25. Bengie's Drive-In
Location: Baltimore, Md.
Bengie's is for sure the magnum opus of drive-ins even among this all-star list. It's the cat's meow in every aspect of the drive-in game; design, programming and ambiance. This nearly half century old gem was designed by Jack K. Vogel and is regarded as the Frank Lloyd Wright of drive-in theaters. Bengie's always plays triple features on weekend nights complete with original vintage trailers and the classic "Let's all go to the lobby" type clips, plus dusk-til-dawn features on Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends. But wait, it keeps getting better! Bengie's boasts the largest screen on the East Coast at a whopping 52 x 120, so no cropping of the film image AND not only does it have your usual popcorn and candy; the concession dishes out fresh-baked cookies, shrimp rolls, and honey-stung fried chicken! Oh man, who's down for a road trip?
24. Midway
Location: Fulton, N.Y.
The Midway has been known as the place to get the biggest bang for your buck since 1948. You can catch a triple feature for $7! The guy who owns it had worked there for 20 years till he finally bought it in 1987. He has kept it mostly unchanged, as he focuses on the online marketing with a popular Facebook page and a mailing list of 4,000 offering special promos, schedules, etc.
23. Goochland
Location: Hadensville, Va.
The owners, John and Kristina Heidel were inspired to open their theater after being frustrated by lack of affordable family entertainment, so they built Goochland from scratch. The property accommodates 340 cars and has nearly 20,000 friends on Facebook, setting an example that old fashioned businesses can utilize new world technology to help attract new customers.
22. Silver Moon
Location: Lakeland, Fla.
The Silver Moon has been in operation since April 14, 1948, when tickets were 35 cents. Admission is still a bargain at 4 bucks for a double feature making this drive-in the absolute cheapest on the list. It is also open year-round thanks to the lovely Florida weather and it turns into a bustling flea market on the weekends.
21. Delsea
Location: Vineland, N.J.
An original drive-in with a new take on the usual movie-theater goods. The Delsea offers an extensive menu with much healthier choices, such as veggie burgers, shrimp kebabs, and Atkins-approved snacks. The owner is a pediatrician who initially bought the closed-down drive-in to turn into a skate park to promote good exercise for kids, but he changed his mind after realizing the original movie screen was still in good shape. It is now the only drive-in left in Jersey, where the world's first drive-in theater was created in 1933.
20. Field of Dreams
Location: Liberty Center, Ohio
Unique Features: With most appropriate name on the list, the Saunders family built the theater in their 4.5-acre backyard and hoped they would come. Field of Dreams is among only a few drive-ins that allow you to purchase your ticket online and even pick your parking spot. They also recently added mini-golf to the scene.
19. Big Sky Drive-In
Location: Midland, Texas
Wow, this place is pure genius! As the first drive-in theater in the country to go digital; not only does the Big Sky show first-run double features, but during football season you can pull up and catch the games on the giant 45x90 screen for the free 99! Now, that's whats up!
18. Harvest Moon Twin Drive-In Movie Theater
Location: Gibson City, Ill.
Harvest Moon is one of the first truly sustainable drive-ins, with energy provided by a Skystream 2.4kw turbine on a 50 foot tower which creates 30% of the theater's electricity during the season. This drive-in also utilizes LED lighting, soy paints, energy efficient appliances, and recyclable products to reduce their carbon footprint. A larger solar panel set up is planned for this year to reduce an additional 50% of the electricity, plus a Solar Hot Water System is set for installation. We definitely dig some old school entertainment with an eye on the future. A good look for 21st century drive-ins.
17. Elm Road Triple Drive-In Theater
Location: Warren, Ohio
"See the Stars Under the Stars" is the motto. Self-proclaimed as THE only original family owned and operated theater in the tri-county area, Elm Road has been in business for over 60 years. Sadly, this year they will be forced to convert to digital and that poses a huge, expensive threat to this small business. The Elm Road drive-in definitely has one of the most awesome signs on the list, a true testament to the by-gone era that these classic drive-ins so faithfully keep alive.
16. Devil's Night Drive-In
Location: Los Angeles, Calif.
Located on the top of a parking garage in Downtown LA, The Devil's Night is complete with astro turf and car hops. There are only showings twice a month, with limited movie choices, but the view is spectacular and the scene is unbeatable.
15. The Silver Lake Twin Drive-In
Location: Perry, N.Y.
This place is the total package. What was once just a screen in a cow pasture now has everything you could want for a quality evening out. There is a cool restaurant known as the Charcoal Corral, a pizzeria, and ice cream parlor, a bandstand that hosts karaoke on Wednesday nights, and arcade, and even 18 holes of miniature golf! What more you could you ask for?
14. The 66 Drive-In
Location: Carthage, Mo.
You can't go through a list of drive-ins without mentioning Route 66. In proper homage to the immortal roadway, The 66 features an awesome art deco street marquee and once functioned as a busy weigh station.
13. Century Las Vegas 6 Drive-In
Location: North Las Vegas, Nev.
Located near Glitter Gulch, just north of Sin City this Vegas drive-in is open extra late. How appropriate.
12. The Rubidoux Drive-In
Location: Riverside, Calif.
The Rubidoux is known for a classy style that hasn't changed since the days of Frank Lloyd Wright. The space hosts swap meets on weekdays, but come nightfall it is all about great snacks and first-run double features on all three screens.
11. Becky's Drive-In
Location: Berlinsville, Pa.
William Beck was an early drive-in pioneer. Cindy Deppe and brothers Darrel and Dennis Beck are the second-generation owners, constantly breathing new life and excitement into the historic venue. According to the season there are hayrides, fireworks, and employees dressed like the Men in Black.
10. The Ford-Wyoming Theatre
Location: Dearborn, Mich.
This ideal drive-in is located in the heart of Motor City, and the Ford-Wyoming goes back to 1951. It has nine screens including the original art-deco screen tower with a 3,000-car capacity. Unlike most of the northern venues, the Ford is open year-round. Wednesdays and Thursdays are bargain nights.
9. The Bay Drive-In Theatre
Location: Alexandria Bay, N.Y.
This is a reincarnation of an older drive-in located "in the heart of the Thousand Islands." It was remodeled in '95 of experiencing some serious wind damage, adding 200 more spaces for cars and a 60-seat indoor seating area for those who are without a car.
8. The Amusement Park Drive-In
Location: Billings, Mont.
As the name suggests there are several rides on site that you can enjoy while waiting for your movie to start. There is even a roller coaster built around the screen! The drive-in was built in 2005, but maintains several original components from a drive-in built in 1946, including the screen, marquee, and sign.
7. The 49er Drive-In
Location: Valparaiso, Ind.
The name is in reference to the Highway 49, the road on which the theater lies. The 49er is particularly unique in that it host several special movie or holiday themed events throughout the year. Visitors have enjoyed the Shrek Forever After Weekend, Karate Kid Weekend, Toy Story 3 Weekend, and 4th of July Weekend.
6. Mission Tiki Drive-In Theatre
Location: Montclair, Calif.
Complete with a state of the art projection system and tiki hut ticket booths, this drive-in has been around since 1956 under the original name "The Mission." It was completely redone in 2006. With a large selection of newly-released double features, a well stocked snack bar, and authentic Mexican cuisine; there's no better way to spend an evening in the California hills.
5. Fort Lauderdale Swap Shop
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
As the name suggests, Swap Shop is a flea market by day but a fourteen-screen drive-in movie theater by night. It is both the largest drive-in theater in the world and the largest daily flea market. And, it even has a circus! Originally opened in 1963 as the Thunderbird Drive-In, this space has been working ever since.
4. Menlyn Park
Location: Pretoria, South Africa
Menlyn Park is the first drive-in theater in the world to be built on the roof of a retail complex. If you want to get the full nostalgic experience, you can book one of the six 'veteran' automobiles, including a '57 Chevy or a two-tone T-Bird.
3. DRV-IN
Location: New York, N.Y.
This is quite possibly the most unique drive-in theater on the list—technically,DRV-IN is Manhattan's only spot to catch a drive-in movie. But like many things in the big city, it is more of a virtual, fabricated experience. You and five buddies can load up into the stationary, one-of-a-kind 1965 four-door Ford Falcon under an artificial sky and enjoy a flick on a wall in the middle of bustling NYC. Maybe for a moment, life will slow down as you sit in the plush backseat of the classic car and watch a good picture show and all is swell again; just like the good ol' days.
2. Sunset Drive-In Cinema
Location: Ahmedabad, India
The largest outdoor screening venue on the entire sub-continent, the Sunset Drive-In can welcome an audience of 6,000. If you don't have a car, no worries, pedestrians are accommodated with a designated covered area.
1. Shankweiler's Drive-In
Location: Orefield, Pa.
Founded by Wilson Shankweiler in 1934 as the second drive-in ever, it is now the oldest one still in operation. There has been one brief hiatus in service, caused by Hurricane Diane in 1955, but otherwise Shankweiler's creation has just kept on trucking. Admission is $9 for a double feature.