12 Drive-In Movie Theaters Near NYC
Whether you're headed to Long Island or the Catskills, or maybe just the Bronx, here's where to go.
Once upon a time, going to the movies meant a trip to a blissfully arctic oasis that provided escape from the summer heat. In places like New York City, the chance to sit in a cool auditorium for two hours and lose yourself in a blockbuster has always been a particularly cherished tradition. While there's no telling exactly when these sanctuaries will open to the public again (New York City is still only in Phase 2 of reopening), the magic of a movie night isn't necessarily lost this summer.
Enter the drive-in theater. Alfresco movie viewing has been around since the 1910s, but it really took off in the '50s, thanks to a rise in car ownership and the migration of baby boomers to suburbia. Attendance at drive-ins has been on the decline ever since, but recent restrictions surrounding COVID-19 have sparked a resurgence in these retro venues, which are socially distanced by design.
Luckily for New Yorkers, there are a number excellent, old-school drive-in theaters located just an hour or two from the city. Here are 12 of our favorite spots.
Hi-Way Drive-In Movie Theater
Coxsackie, NY (122 miles from NYC)
This theater, located a little north of the town of Catskill, has four screens that play double features. The offering is varied, from the romantic (Footloose) to the less so (The Invisible Man).
Tickets and showtimes at hiwaydrivein.com
Greenville Drive-In
Greenville, NY (131 miles from NYC)
Perhaps one of the biggest draws of this theater is its beer garden, which serves local brews, along with wine and other drinks. Its prime location in the Catskills makes this an attractive jumping off spot for a weekend getaway.
Tickets and showtimes at drivein32.com
Tribeca Drive-In Series
Orchard Beach, Bronx & Nickerson Beach, NY (41 miles from NYC)
Every weekend in July, the Tribeca Film Festival's parent company will host a drive-in movie series at various locations across the country (two of which are in the NYC area). The Fast & the Furious, Casino Royale, Straight Outta Compton, Superbad, Meet the Parents, and Selena are just a few of the films on the schedule.
Tickets and showtimes at tribecafilm.com/drive-in
Hyde Park Drive-In
Hyde Park, NY (85 miles from NYC)
Located across the road from the FDR estate, this Dutchess County theater shows eccentric classics, such as Beetlejuice and The Lost Boys.
Tickets and showtimes at hydeparkdrivein.com
The Gateway
Bellport, NY (66 miles from NYC)
The Long Island performing arts center had to cancel its summer musical season and has instead turned to hosting drive-in movie nights featuring classics like Singin' in the Rain, Back to the Future, and Dirty Dancing.
Tickets and showtimes at thegateway.org
Four Brothers Drive-In
Amenia, NY (90 miles from NYC)
Unlike most of the other theaters on this list, which have been around since the '50s, Four Brothers is just five years old. It has a retro vibe, however, along with modern touches like an electric vehicle charger and a concession stand offering locally sourced eats like salmon burgers and affogatos (in addition to more traditional movie theater fare). There's even an Airstream for rent, Hotel Caravana, for overnight stays.
Tickets and showtimes at playeatdrink.com
The Warwick Drive-In
Warwick, NY (50 miles from NYC)
Located a little over an hour by car from NYC, this theater has a robust screening list that includes new releases, such as Christopher Nolan's Tenet and the live-action Mulan (both coming out next month), along with classics like Jurassic Park and Jaws.
Tickets and showtimes at warwickdrivein.com
Fair Oaks Drive-In Theatre
Middletown, NY (71 miles from NYC)
Take a road trip up to this drive-in to get your fill of the classics. Grease, Scarface, Dirty Dancing, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, and Footloose are some of the regularly shown favorites. There are more contemporary hits, too, like The Avengers and Zootopia.
Tickets and showtimes on their Facebook page
Yankee Stadium
Bronx, NY
Next month, the baseball stadium will convert its sprawling parking lot into the Uptown Drive-In, which will host movie screenings as well as performances by local artists, food vendors, comedy shows, and other events, all to be enjoyed from the safe confines of your car.
Sign up for information and updates here
Becky's Drive-In
Walnutport, PA (100 miles from NYC)
This popular Lehigh Valley drive-in has been owned and operated by the same family since 1946. There are two screens showing double features. Expect mainstay drive-in classics: Grease, Footloose, Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
Ticket information and showtimes at beckysdi.com
Shankweiler's Drive-In Theatre
Orefield, PA (101 miles from NYC)
Shankweiler's has been in business for 84 years, making it the oldest drive-in theater in the U.S. Starting in July, it's participating in actor Michael B. Jordan's "A Night at the Drive-In," a nationwide summer screening series curated by Jordan and his production company (Outlier Society) with Amazon Studios that will spotlight multicultural voices in film. Concession stands will also provide refreshments by minority-owned businesses.
Ticket information and showtimes at amazonscreenings.com
Jericho Drive-In
Glenmont, NY (147 miles from NYC)
Sweeten your movie night by picking up a soft serve cone—or better yet, go for the decadent Jericho sundae—at the drive-in's ice cream shop.
Tickets and showtimes at jerichodrive-in.com
Leena Kim is an editor at Town & Country, where she covers travel, jewelry, education, weddings, and culture.
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