Drive-In Theater Tour

Drive-in theaters became a uniquely American form of entertainment during the 20th century, offering families and moviegoers the opportunity to watch films from the comfort of their automobiles. The first patented drive-in theater was opened in 1933 by Richard Hollingshead in Camden. His concept combined the growing popularity of automobiles with the expanding film industry, creating an affordable and convenient outdoor movie experience. Early drive-ins featured a large projection screen, rows of parking spaces arranged for clear viewing, and individual speakers mounted beside each vehicle.

Drive-in theaters experienced their greatest popularity during the 1950s and 1960s, when more than 4,000 locations operated across the United States. Their success was fueled by postwar prosperity, suburban expansion, rising car ownership, and the baby boom, making them popular destinations for families, teenagers, and couples. Many drive-ins expanded beyond movies by adding playgrounds, concession stands, and special events, creating a unique social atmosphere that became an iconic part of American culture.

The industry began to decline in the 1970s and 1980s as valuable suburban land was redeveloped for shopping centers and housing, while multiplex cinemas, home video, cable television, and later digital streaming provided more convenient ways to watch movies. Rising operating costs and the expense of converting from traditional film projectors to digital projection also forced many drive-ins to close.

Although only a fraction of the original drive-in theaters remain, they have experienced renewed interest in recent decades because of nostalgia, community support, and their appeal as a classic American experience. During the COVID-19 pandemic, drive-in theaters saw a temporary resurgence because they allowed audiences to enjoy movies while maintaining physical distancing. Today, the surviving drive-ins continue to preserve an important piece of American entertainment history, offering a blend of vintage charm and modern technology while celebrating a tradition that has become a lasting symbol of American car culture and outdoor recreation.

Because there are so few remaining, we have included all the drive-in theaters from Northern Illinois, southern Wisconsin, eastern Iowa, western Indiana and Southwest Michigan.

Drive-In Theaters Tour Map -> Google Maps

Drive-In Theaters Tour Information -> PDF file

18 entries so far…

49’ER DRIVE-IN
675 N. Calumet Avenue
Valparaiso, IN 46383
219-462-6122

Opened – 1956
# Screens – 1
Car Capacity – 425
Season – Spring thru Fall

49’er Drive-In Website

61 DRIVE-IN
1228 US Hwy 61
Delmar, IA 52037
563-674-4367

Opened – 1950
# Screens – 1
Car Capacity – 180
Season – Spring thru Fall

61 Drive-In Website
61 Drive-In Facebook

AUBURN GARRETT DRIVE-IN
1014 State Route 8
Garrett, IN 46738
260-357-3474

Opened – 1951
# Screens – 1
Car Capacity – 420
Season – April thru October

Auburn Garrett Drive-In Website
Auburn Garrett Drive-In Facebook

BLUE GRASS DRIVE-IN THEATER
774 W. Mayne Street
Blue Grass, IA 52726
844-437-4834

Opened – 2014
# Screens – 3
Car Capacity – 400
Season – April thru October

Blue Grass Drive-In Theater Website
Blue Grass Drive-In Theater Facebook

GETTY 4 DRIVE-IN
920 E. Summit Avenue
Muskegon, MI 49444
231-798-2608

Opened – 1949
# Screens – 4
Car Capacity – 1200
Season – April thru October

Getty 4 Drive-In Website
Getty 4 Drive-In Facebook

HARVEST MOON DRIVE-IN
1123 S. Sangamon
Gibson City, IL 60936
217-784-8770

Opened – 1954
# Screens – 2
Car Capacity – 600
Season – Spring thru Fall

Harvest Moon Drive-In Website

HI-WAY 18 OUTDOOR THEATER
W6423 US-18
Jefferson, WI 53549
920-674-6700

Opened – 1953
# Screens – 1
Car Capacity – 540
Season – May thru September

Hi-Way 19 Outdoor Theater Website
Hi-Way 19 Outdoor Theater Facebook

HUNTINGTON DRIVE-IN
1291 Condit Street
Huntington, IN 46750
260-356-2924

Opened – 1950
# Screens – 2
Car Capacity – 500
Season – May thru September

Huntington Drive-In Facebook

LAKE SHORE DRIVE-IN
100 Rickey Road
Monticello, IN
574-583-0311

Opened – 1949
# Screens – 2
Car Capacity – 550
Season – Spring thru Fall

Lake Shore Drive-In Facebook

MCHENRY INDOOR / OUTDOOR THEATER
1510 N. Chapel Hill Road
McHenry, IL 60051
815-385-0144

Opened – 1951
# Screens – 1
Car Capacity – 800
Season – May thru October

McHenry Indoor / Outdoor Theater Website
McHenry Indoor / Outdoor Theater Facebook
McHenry Indoor / Outdoor Theater Instagram
McHenry Indoor / Outdoor Theater TikTok

MELODY DRIVE-IN
7055 Hwy 35 South
Knox, IN 46534
574-772-2042

Opened – 1949
# Screens – 2
Car Capacity – 500
Season – Seasonal

Melody Drive-In Website
Melody Drive-In Facebook

MIDWAY DRIVE-IN
91 Palmyra Road
Sterling, IL 61081
815-625-4099

Opened – 1950
# Screens – 1
Car Capacity – 500
Season – Spring thru Fall

Midway Drive-In Website
Midway Drive-In Facebook

THE MILKY WAY DRIVE-IN
7035 S. Ballpark Drive
Franklin, WI 53132
414-224-9283

Opened – 2020
# Screens – 1
Car Capacity – 150
Season – May thru September

The Milky Way Drive-In Website
The Milky Way Drive-In Facebook

ROUTE 34 DRIVE-IN
4468 E. 12th Road
Earlville, IL 60518
815-246-9700

Opened – 1954
# Screens – 1
Car Capacity – 241
Season – April thru October
CASH ONLY ENTRY

Route 34 Drive-In Website
Route 34 Drive-In Facebook

SKY VU DRIVE-IN
1936 State Route 69
Monroe, WI 53566
608-325-4545

Opened – 1954
# Screens – 1
Car Capacity – 350
Season – April thru September
CASH ONLY

Sky Vu Drive-In Website

STARLITE 14 DRIVE-IN
US Hwy 14 East
Richland Center, WI 53581
608-647-3669

Opened – 1952
# Screens – 1
Car Capacity – 500
Season – April thru October

Starlite 14 Drive-In Website
Starlite 14 Drive-In Facebook

TRI WAY DRIVE-IN
4400 N. Michigan Road
Plymouth, IN 46563
574-936-7936

Opened – 1953
# Screens – 4
Car Capacity – 500
Season – Spring thru Fall

Tri Way Drive-In Website
Tri Way Drive-In Facebook