The South’s Best Drive-In Movies

Lakeland, Florida

About 35 miles east of Tampa, Lakeland appreciates keeping strong historic ties, from the impressive Frank Lloyd Wright architecture at Florida Southern College to the vintage Silver Moon Drive-In. Tip: Admission is only $4 on Thursdays! silvermoondrivein.com

New Braunfels, Texas

Get your 1950s diner fix at this drive-in with a visit to the Rockin’ Eats and Tasty Treats on site before the showing begins. An old-fashioned milkshake and popcorn will help you get in the drive-in state of mind. driveinusa.com

Blue Ridge, Georgia

This charming mountain town in North Georgia never fails in the fun category. With apple orchards, hiking trails, and this vintage drive-in, Blue Ridge is just as entertaining season after season. Swan Drive-In opened in the 1950s and got its namesake from the swans the owner loved so much while he was stationed in England during World War II. swan-drive-in.com

Manchaca, Texas

Only about a 20-minute drive from downtown Austin, this boutique drive-in is as quirky as its neighboring city. The small, hip drive-in gives a completely unique drive-in experience aimed at reinventing the old pastime. Blue Starlite will host private drive-in nights for groups, or you can try out Camp Blue Starlite for a camping under the stars adventure. bluestarlitedrivein.com

Stephens City, Virginia

Located at the northern end of the beautiful Shenandoah Valley and a little over 80 miles from Washington, D.C., this colonial town barely cracks 2,000 residents—making it a perfect small town for a charming drive-in theatre. The drive-in began in 1956 and has kept the same family-oriented feel since. thefamilydriveintheatre.com

Atlanta, Georgia

This drive-in theatre on the outskirts of Atlanta started in 1949 with a single screen, and as most drive-ins slowly went out of business, Starlight expanded over the years to reach its current six screens. Its quirky flea market is open Saturdays and Sundays, and its diner-style snack bar has kept the same 1950s charm throughout the decades. starlightdrivein.com

Calvert City, Kentucky

Boasting less than 3,000 residents, this small town is definitely a rural destination in western Kentucky (but is only about two hours from Nashville!). This drive-in is heavily reviewed for its burgers, pizzas, and old-fashioned cherry syrup for its sodas. So much so, it delivers its food. But we prefer the burgers actually at the drive-in! calvertdrivein.com

Watertown, Tennessee

About 40 miles east of Nashville, this drive-in captures the family-friendly vibe of this middle Tennessee area (originally settled in the late 1700s). You definitely get bang for your buck here, as all showings are double features for one cheap price. Its season runs from the beginning of March to the end of November. stardustdrivein.com

Tulsa, Oklahoma

You get enough Americana nostalgia just from the location of this drive-in: right off of Route 66. The double-sided screen gives an experience different from most drive-ins, but visitors love the community feel of the spot. admiraltwindrivein.com

Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis has deep roots in Southern history, so it’s only fitting to be home of one of the last drive-ins in the country (records say there are less than 350 drive-ins left nationwide). Catch an early showing around dinnertime for a fun night, or be adventurous with the late-night weekend showing that typically starts between 11:30 and midnight. malco.com

Ruskin, Florida

This family-friendly drive-in aired its first movie in 1952 (“Singing in the Rain,” to be exact!), and it hasn’t changed much since then. A double feature costs you $6, which is the price of a coke at any movie theater nowadays. Locals will tell you to make sure to bring plenty of bug spray in the summer; it is Florida! ruskinfamilydrivein.com

Monetta, South Carolina

Repeat visitors to this drive-in lovingly refer to it as the Big Mo. Funnel cakes, candied nuts, and boiled peanuts are the crowd favorites from the concession stand; and there’s a radio rental option, just in case you forget yours (if you’re planning on sitting outside of your car!). thebigmo.com

Leeds, Alabama

Less than a half hour from Birmingham, this Alabama gem gives your vintage drive-in fix with modern amenities, such as its Coyote Canteen (restaurant and bar) and mini golf course for kids. The restaurant patio books live music to help you pass the time before the showing begins! coyotedrive-in.com

Baltimore, Maryland

Boasting the “biggest screen in the U.S.A,” this drive-in sticks to its retro roots going back to the 1950s. It hosts triple features almost every Friday and Saturday night, letting you get your fill of movie magic with classic cartoons and trailers airing before the showings. bengies.com

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

This is the last drive-in in Oklahoma City and one of the last few in the state. Visitors reminiscence on its longstanding life in the city, and many still set up chairs, lay on the hood, or stick to the basics (inside the car) to enjoy movies every weekend. winchesterdrive-in.com