The USA’s best drive-in movie theatres

Grab your friends, pile into the car, and get ready to enjoy an evening of Americana at these classic theatres.

Fort Lauderdale Swap Shop – Fort Lauderdale, Florida

In Fort Lauderdale, you will find two of the world’s largest landmarks in one place. The Fort Lauderdale Swap Shop holds the title for world’s largest drive-in theatre as well as the world’s largest daily flea market. The drive-in theatre opened on 22 November 1963 with one screen. Since then, the theatre has expanded to make room for 13 new screens and nearly 12 million people visit annually. The original screen is still up in running, although it’s now called screen nine. Don’t worry about planning your visit around a certain season. Thanks to Florida’s amazing weather, the theatre is open 365 days a year.

A 5-minute walk from the beach and a short bus ride from the theatre, Sonesta Fort Lauderdale Beach is a great choice of accommodation.

Harvest Moon Twin Drive-In – Gibson City, Illinois

It may not be the biggest drive-in theatre, but this two-screen drive-in is making a name for itself thanks to a decision to switch to wind power. The owners at Harvest Moon Twin Drive-In started using wind power as a way of keeping the costs of running the theatre down. By doing so, the drive-in is able to keep their prices consistent and if you want to catch a film at this green theatre, it’s open from March until October.

Less than 20km away in the neighbouring community of Paxton is the upscale TimberCreek Bed & Breakfast (https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/timbercreek-bed-amp-breakfast.html) Located in a secluded meadow with plenty of green spaces to explore, it’s the perfect spot to stay if you want to spend even more time outdoors.

Coyote Drive-In – Fort Worth, Texas

Opened in 2013, Coyote Drive-In was built with the goal of bringing back the drive-in magic to the community. One ticket will give you access to nightly double features – two movies back to back – available on four different screens. A unique feature of the theatre is pets of all shapes and sizes are welcome, including horses. If you ride to the theatre you can secure your horse to a hitch while you enjoy the movie.

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson is just eight minutes drive from the theatre and offers free on-site parking.

Wellfleet Drive-In Theater – Wellfleet, Massachusetts

An evening at the Wellfleet Drive-In Theater will transport you back in time to the prime of the drive-in movie era. Wellfleet is the only drive-in theatre on Cape Cod and offers a double feature every night during the summer, in addition to a daytime flea market, miniature golf course, and dairy bar serving milkshakes, rootbeer floats, and more.

Less than 10km from the theatre, the Inn at the Oaks will let you continue your journey back in time, as the property is decorated with photos and antiques that show the history of Cape Cod.

Field of Dreams – Liberty Center, Ohio

Paying homage to the 1989 film Field of Dreams, Rod and Donna Saunders built the Field of Dreams drive-in theatre on their farmland in Liberty Center, Ohio. Using a $20 handbook they bought online, the couple built and installed the first movie screen with the help of their neighbours. The idea behind the Saunders’ project was to provide cost-effective family entertainment to the residents of their rural community, and it succeeded. The theatre did so well that the couple was able to add an additional screen as well as purchase a second drive-in in the neighbouring community of Tiffin, which is now managed by their son.

Offering free on-site parking, Napoleon Inn & Suites is located in the city of Napoleon, a 17-minute drive from the theatre.