The Drive-In is Alive and Well in the ADK
Revisit the ultimate American cinematic experience.
Lately, we’ve been feeling nostalgic about the carefree summer days (and nights) of our youth. For us, the drive-in was a quintessential summer experience from our toddler through our teenage years.
The Auto Theater: A uniquely American tradition still alive and well in the Adirondacks.
If you were born before 1975, drive-in movies likely featured prominently in your summer entertainment experience. During their peak in the late 1950s and early 1960s, US drive-ins numbered more than 4,000.
But the iconic auto-theater was overtaken by the birth of the megaplex and “mall culture” that began in the late ‘70s and exploded in the 1980s.
Today, over 90% of the drive-ins from our youth have gone dark for good. But the drive-in movie theater is not dead. According to the United Drive-in Movie Theater Owners Association, there are approximately 321 drive-ins currently operating in the US.
Lucky for us, New York State has 30 active drive-ins, the most in the USA. And five of those theaters are in or very close to the Adirondacks.
Where to experience the ultimate in outdoor cinematic entertainment.
While there are only five active drive-ins dispersed across the 6 million acres of the Adirondack Park, we hope, you can find one near you to enjoy.
The Glen Drive-In | Queensbury
Located in the Southern Woodlands of the Adirondacks, just south of Lake George Village and near Glen Lake, The Glen opened its gates in 1958. It’s been updated with a modern audio system (see ya’, speaker box) and has a super snack bar.
Ozoner 29 | Broadalbin, NY
The Ozoner 29 is the newcomer on the block. Constructed in 2002, this drive-in brings modern family cinematic fun to the Southern Woodlands near Sacandaga Reservoir.
Valley Brook Drive-In | Lyons Falls
The Western Foothills are home to the Valley Brook Drive-In, owned by three generations of the same family for over 70 years. Fans rave about the reasonable prices, tasty treats from the snack bar and family environment. Even four-legged fur babies (if they are well-behaved) are welcome.
Black River Drive-In | Watertown
While this theater has been around since 1950, there is nothing outdated about it. The drive-in offers state-of-the-art movie projection in beautiful Barco Digital and uses the Optimod-FM system for superior sound.
56 Auto Theater | Massena
The 56 Auto Theater is the northernmost drive-in theater in New York State. If you're venturing any further north, you should pack your passport. With reasonable prices, an outstanding array of treats at the snack bar and strong FM audio, The 56 offers plenty of reasons to make the trek northward.
If you’re feeling inspired by your fond drive-in memories, you can purchase your very own auto theater, some are right here in NY State.
Never been to a drive-in?
The drive-in was the perfect family-friendly evening outing. When we were Lil’ ADKers, our parents would put us in our PJs, pack snacks (maybe a few adult and child-appropriate beverages) and load us all into the Family Truckster and head to the local drive-in to catch a double feature at dusk (which is between 8:30 and 9 pm in July).
After paying your entrance fee, which was usually based on the number of people in your car, you then selected your spot in front of an enormous movie screen. Back in the day, each parking spot had a speaker that played the film’s audio. You could sit in your car and hang the speaker on your window and watch the film. Or, you could set up your folding chair outside your car, next to your speaker and enjoy the film.
Many drive-in attendees would arrive early to secure the best spot, so the drive-ins often had playgrounds and other features to keep guests occupied until show time.
The first movie was usually family-friendly, like the original “Star Wars” or a Disney film, which we would all enjoy, and the kids would fall asleep. Then the second feature was more PG – think “Jaws” or “American Graffiti” – and catered to a more mature audience.
Horror films were often staples for drive-ins, but nothing sexy, as the ginormous screens were often visible from the road, making nudity forbidden.
Later, in our high school years, the drive-in was a fun, affordable entertainment option, and we would go with a big group of friends in our giant Chrysler Newport.
And, of course, the drive-in could also be a great venue for a date with one’s sweetie. We won’t elaborate further.
Drive-ins also served as great backdrops in actual movies, too.
Grease “Stranded at the Drive-In” (1978)
“That Darn Cat” (1965)
“The Outsiders” (1983)
“Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” (1985)