At the Drive-In

In many ways, having drive-in theaters makes sense in our area. Families here drive cars the size of McMansions, so seating would be roomy and comfortable. And since drive-ins are more casual and you’re in the privacy of your own car, it’s more acceptable if you text someone on your cellphone, talk loudly to your neighbor, quiet the crying baby, or do any of those truly irritating behaviors that you do in the multiplex anyway.

It’s said that Drive-Ins closed because of rising land prices and the increasing popularity of multiplexes, but multiplexes can’t compete with On-Demand and the real estate bubble has long ago burst, so I think we’re poised for a comeback.

Fine, maybe not. But drive-ins are still cool, and it might interest you to know that they haven’t all gone the way of the dodo. Here are a few that are still (sort of) in our area. If gas prices weren’t so out-of-control, I’d say it’d be worth a day trip to visit one of these. Instead, I say that if you’re going to pass one of these towns on an already-planned vacation, you might want to put a few hours aside to stop by.

Delsea Drive-In
Location: Vineland, NJ
Number of Miles from Main Line Today‘s Office: 48
Number of Movie Screens: 1

Shankweiler’s Drive-In
Location: Orefield, PA
Number of Miles from Main Line Today‘s Office: 54
Number of Movie Screens: 1

Becky’s Drive-In
Location: Walnutport, PA
Number of Miles from Main Line Today‘s Office: 66
Number of Movie Screens: 2

Mahoning Drive-In
Location: Lehighton, PA
Number of Miles from Main Line Today‘s Office: 71
Number of Movie Screens: 1

Diamond State Drive-In
Location: Felton, DE
Number of Miles from Main Line Today‘s Office: 81
Number of Movie Screens: 1

Note: Many of these theaters are playing Pixar’s Wall-E. I cannot recommend a better movie to see, drive-in theater or no drive-in theater, but some of the film’s themes will certainly resonate if you see it in kind of a nostalgic mood. Go for it!