In 1933, a unique movie theater opened in Pennsauken, New Jersey. Movies with sound have only been around for six years, but the newly-opened Camden Theater was ready to put a spin on things. Owner Richard Hollingshead welcomed patrons to view the film in their cars, and introduced America to its first drive-in theater.
By the late 1950s, there were more than 4,000 outdoor screens across the country, but the advent of VHS tapes and cable channels took a heavy toll on the outdoor viewing experience. According to the United Drive-In Theatre Owners Association, by 2019 there were only 305 drive-in theaters remaining in the U.S.
Then along came 2020. While multi-plexes sat empty, watching a film in the comfort of your own car regained its appeal, adding a little safe fun to a summer of quarantine. But some drive-ins continue in the tradition of Hollingshead, introducing new features and becoming drive-inns — allowing moviegoers to enjoy a bed and a blockbuster, actually sleeping on-site at the cinema. Here are a few of our picks for places to bunk down and catch summer flicks.
Frontier Drive-Inn - Center, Colorado
The Frontier Drive-In in Southern Colorado’s San Luis Valley first opened in 1955, but after 30 years the theater's screen (and fabulous neon sign) sat derelict and unlit. The bright lights blazed again in the summer of 2022, and the Frontier is now an arts-and-culture hub as well as a place for locals and guests to spread blankets and catch a movie on the weekend. But in addition to entertainment, four Steelmaster sheds and 10 yurts provide eclectic but elegant comfort for those who wish to extend their stay overnight. The accommodations feature amenities like high-end linens, heated floors and skylights, and provide an excellent base for exploring the surrounding natural attractions.
Skyline Drive-In - New York, New York
Set in Brooklyn along the East River, the Skyline Drive-In offers spectacular views of Manhattan behind its shining silver screen. The best part is, film buffs don’t even need a car — outdoor seats are available on a platform for patrons who walk, bike, or arrive by scooter. If too much popcorn has made you sleepy, book a glamped-to-the-nines tent (with free WiFi, electricity, a charging station, and access to a full bath with shower) or get cozy in an upcycled shipping container with its own ensuite bath.
Yonder - Escalante, Utah
Located between Bryce Canyon National Park and Capitol Reef National Park, the recently opened Yonder Escalante is an Instagram dream of sleekly outfitted Airstream trailers and glass-fronted cabins, all done up in rustic-yet-elegant Southwest style. At the indoor-outdoor clubhouse you can lounge on leather sofas, play board games, spin vinyl on the turntable, and make new friends around the firepits before chilling in the sparkling pool. And then there are the movies, which you can watch from behind the wheel of the campground’s great collection of vintage automobiles.
Parry Lodge - Kanab, Utah
Make it a Utah double feature by taking a short drive down the road from Yonder Escalante and booking a stay at the historic Parry Lodge. The modest farmhouse was built around 1900 and became a motel in 1931. When film studios went all-in on Westerns, Kanab became “Little Hollywood,” and the Parry became the home away from home for more than 100 casts and crews, hosting such celebrities as John Wayne, Gregory Peck, Sammy Davis Jr., Frank Sinatra, and Clint Eastwood. From April to November, films are shown in the lodge’s Old Barn Theater.
Mahoning Drive-In Theater - Lehighton, Pennsylvania
The Pocono Mountains are home to “The Largest CinemaScope Screen in Pennsylvania” and films have been flickering at the Mahoning in Lehighton since 1949. Retro double-features like Robocop and Terminator are included in each night's lineup, and we dare you to find another drive-in in the land that offers piping hot pierogies, Pop-Tarts and vegan burgers at their reasonably priced concession stand. The fun doesn’t stop when the credits roll, either. Tickets to the films are $10 per person, but for an extra $10, the “extended stay” pass allows patrons to camp out until the next day.
