Discover 14 Classic Drive-In Movie Theaters in Pennsylvania

Discover 14 Classic Drive-In Movie Theaters in Pennsylvania

Those who have not experienced a drive-in are seriously missing out. Imagine going to the theater with your family, grabbing a hot dog from the snack bar and, instead of having to fight over seats with strangers, you just need a parking spot.

Pennsylvania still has many amazing drive-in movie theaters where you can check out your favorite movies on some seriously big screens, in an outdoor setting. In grassy fields and paved lots across the state, you can pull up your car in front of a large screen and take in a film or two, and sometimes even three or more.

While the days when drive-in theaters existed in large numbers across Pennsylvania are behind us, these businesses aren’t letting the nostalgia fade. Catch new releases and even some classic movies screening at these theaters for an old-fashioned night out.

Drive-In Movie Theaters in Pennsylvania

Super 322 Drive-In
1682 Woodland Bigler Hwy, Woodland, PA
www.super322drive-in.com
The Super 322 Drive-in Theatre was opened in 1950 and, in 2001, was granted eligibility to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places by the Pennsylvania Museum Commission. Each show is a double feature. The films are first-run, family-friendly, and very affordable.

Family Drive-In Theatre
6627 Rte 6, Kane, PA
kanefamilydrivein.com
Originally named the “Ideal Drive In”, the Family Drive-In Theatre was built in 1952. All buildings are original, with a unique 60-foot cement block screen, which is four stories tall and open on the inside. Beginning in 2015, the drive-in began the tradition of opening in the winter to show the latest Star Wars movie, encouraging patrons to dress up as their favorite character.

Becky’s Drive In
4548 Lehigh Dr, Walnutport, PA
www.beckysdi.com
The former “Route 45 Drive-In”, which could accommodate 440 cars, opened in 1946 on the location of the current Becky’s Drive In. This is a true legacy business. The original owner, William D. Beck, passed away in 1987, followed by his wife Alice in 2007. However, their surviving children continue to operate the drive-in along with their families, showing family-friendly films.

Shankweiler’s Drive-in Theatre
4540 Shankweiler Rd, Orefield, PA
www.shankweilers.com
Having been in continuous operation since 1934, the Shankweiler’s Drive-in Theatre identifies itself as America’s Oldest Drive-In. They are generally open weekends only in April, May and September, but are operated nightly beginning in June through Labor Day.

Haar’s Drive-In Theatre
185 Logan Rd, Dillsburg, PA
www.haars.com/drive-in
Part of Haar’s Auction, which began in the 1940s, the Haar’s Drive-In Theatre has a large screen and retains much of the old fashioned charm that makes drive-in’s so appealing. It is like a trip into the past. It is an old-style drive-in that the whole family will enjoy.

Sky Vu Drive-In
813 E Market St, Gratz, PA
www.skyvudrivein.com
Built in 1948, the Sky Vu Drive-in theatre continues the time-honored tradition of entertainment, value and lots of fun for the entire family. While Sky Vu offers the standard Double Feature movies through the regular summer season, they also have special events that offer triple features and dusk to dawn shows as well.

Pike Drive In Theater
5798 US Highway 15, Montgomery, PA
www.pikedi.com
Built in 1953 during the “golden age” of the drive-in, the Pike Drive In Theater was built as a single screen theatre. However, while the drive-in was disappearing across much of America, it expanded to a 3 screen in the 1990’s.

Dependable Drive In
549 Moon Clinton Rd, Moon Township, PA
www.dependabledrivein.com
Built in 1950, Dependable Drive In has grown from a small single-screen theater to a large four-screen theater. They offer a double feature on every screen, state of the art high definition digital projection, Dolby Surround FM Radio Sound, retro in-car speakers (where available).

Riverside Drive In
2780 River Road, Vandergrift, PA
www.riversidedrivein.com
While offering the standard first-run films, what makes Riverside Drive In unique are the special events, which include movie camping weekends that show retro films all night long. Patrons will trek hours for the great old fashioned drive-in experience.

Garden Drive-In
20 State Route 11, Hunlock Creek, PA
www.gardendrivein.com
Double the screens, double the fun. Garden Drive-In offers the perfect mix of nostalgia and current technology. If you haven’t gone a drive-in in a while, you should definitely plan a visit to the Garden Drive-In. A great place for family-friendly fun.

Silver Drive In
1664 Scalp Ave, Johnstown, PA
www.johnstownpa.com/silver/
Opened in 1950, the Silver Drive-in is a single screen drive-in movie theater, located in Johnston, PA, with 400 car capacity. As we understand it, the Silver Drive-in is for sale but the current owner hopes it can remain a drive-in.

Sunset Drive-in Theater
808 Rte 97, Waterford, PA
www.facebook.com/sunsetflea
The Sunset Drive-in has been around since 1948. They are open seasonally, but only on weekends showing double features. They also have a large flea market at the drive-in, also on the weekends. While they are not as updated as others on our list, the friendly staff works hard to create a memorable experience.

Cumberland Drive-In Theatre
715 Centerville Rd, Newville, PA
81fun.com
Cumberland Drive-in is affordable and a great place to bring the family for an evening of entertainment. Their movies are mostly family-friendly (Ratings of G, PG or PG-13). A playground area will keep children entertained until the first feature begins. And their Snack Bar offers great hot or cold food and beverages.

Hi-Way Drive-In
Route 219, Carrolltown, PA
hiway219drive-in.com
The Carrolltown Hi-Way Drive-in was built as a single screen drive-in in 1951. They have switched to digital projection. Please be aware they accept cash only for admission, but have started accepting Visa, Mastercard, and Discover at their snack bar.

For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News.

 

4 Comments on “Discover 14 Classic Drive-In Movie Theaters in Pennsylvania”

  1. No mention of probably the coolest drive-in of all? The Mahoning Drive-In in Lehighton- showing all retro movies on 35mm film, staffed by a bunch of passionate film buffs who forego a paycheck to keep the place running

Comments are closed.