Drive-In Theaters, harder to find, but still worth taking time for!

Movies on the big screen! We have always heard that growing up, and there is nothing bigger than seeing a great movie (or a bad one too) on the giant screen at a Drive-in Theater. I remember growing up, except for a few instances, every movie I saw was at the Drive-in Theater. My little sister and I, would get dressed in our pajamas, wearing our slippers, bringing a small blanket and pillow, and jumping into the back seat of the car. After getting there, finding the exact right spot was important, which often times included finding a hanging sound box that actually worked, to hang off the inside of the driver side window. We would set off walking with Mom, to the concession stand for the various array of popcorn, drinks, and candy to bring back and get ready for the show to start.

Typical Drive-In Speaker

Here is Ohio we are fortunate to have a few remaining ones, not as many as once was, but still enough worth the drive to, to enjoy the evening.  Below you will find two examples of many that do exist here in Ohio, there are more, and I will give you a link to try to find some of your own! Both of these are within decent driving distance of me here in Brunswick, Ohio.

Aut-O-Rama Twin Drive-in Theater Located in North Ridgeville, OH

Blue Sky Drive In Theater Located in Wadsworth, OH

Some things have changed over the years, foremost the variety of movies you can see is far greater today than those of when I was growing up, you can often find Drive-in Theaters that will have theme nights, like one screen might show all kids movies, and if it is a multi-screen location, might be a super-hero or science fiction night.  On most occasions it will just be what is popular out of the box office.  The other thing that has changed is the concessions, much greater choice of foods now and days to keep you and the little ones full during the movie.  Some locations like ones around me, even serve full sized pizza’s, fries, deep fried veggies, hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, you name it, some locations have a full gambit of choices.  Don’t forget! You will need a working Car Radio, or something portable to tune into the frequency of the Drive-in, if not I hope you are good at reading lips!   The one thing that has remained the same is the value though, most locations will show two movies for one same price, you won’t find that at your standard theater.

For example at the Aut-O-Rama Drive-in Theater in North Ridgeville, OH you will find the following:

• Adults aged 12 years old and over $9.00
• Children ages 4-11 years old $3
• Children 3 and under Free

Now if you have 2 Adults and one child, that will cost you $21 to see 2 movies in this case, plus your cost of food.  You can’t beat that.  Really you can’t.  Obviously, they hope to make up some of that at the concession stands, but remember, you are supporting local businesses in these cases, not the larger entertainment companies, like AMC or Regal.  Some Drive-ins have what’s called an Outside Food and Beverage Permit, and in Aut-O-Rama’s case is $6, I cover this part of it because remember, small businesses like this one, most of the admission money goes to the film companies of the movies they show, so paying a small fee to bring your own food is really not that much to pay to help support the concession sales they might lose.

My wife and I have been to Aut-O-Rama together, and have had wonderful times on the occasions that we have went, we have not tried the Blue Sky Drive-in yet, but hope to in the near future.   What can you expect?  That depends on where you live, if you go to this database you will find a list of what should be current drive-in theaters in your area, they are listed by State, then City so it should be easy to find something if it is near you.  What else can you do?  Take a road trip!  If you have family near one, ask them to go! or if you are just doing a road trip of your own, maybe plan the route around one of them.  I truly think if you have never had the experience of one, you owe it to yourself to seek on out, why?, because it is a totally different viewing of that movie you want to see.  On a side note, most Drive-in Theaters have Open Air Flea Markets on the weekends, and some weekdays, that will vary by location obviously.

So go have some fun!, tell me, do you have any near you? Have you ever been?  If so what was it like? and if not why haven’t you gone? I would love to hear everyone’s thoughts and experiences..share below.