Some things never go out of style: a tub of popcorn, a starry night, and a double feature on an open-air screen. There’s nothing like a drive-in movie with someone special – lose yourself in a blockbuster as the last twilight fades and the dew settles onto the grass on an Iowa summer evening. There are no bad movies on nights like this, just fleeting summer moments that pass too quickly.
While these old theaters have becomes as rare as cars with tail fins, across Iowa there are a few places where the show thankfully still goes on. Take your date or your kids out while you still can – here’s where to get a ticket to this season.
Blue Grass Drive-In
Facebook / Blue Grass Drive-In Located in Blue Grass, this drive-in theater offers a classic experience in a facility that’s completely modernized.
Facebook / Blue Grass Drive-In The theater is near the Quad Cities. It has two fully digital screens, a modern concession stand and restroom, and a state-of-the-art kitchen. The rest of the experience: right out of the 1950s!
61 Drive-In Theater
Facebook / 61 Drive In Theater The 61 Drive-In Theatre in Delmar is one of the last and longest running drive-in theaters in the country. It offers a great deal - two movies for the price of one.
Facebook / 61 Drive In Theater The 61 has lots of fun pre-movie games, including basketball, volleyball, whiffle ball, tether ball, a sand box, a swing set and train rides. Don’t become so worn out you fall asleep during the movie!
Valle Drive-in
Facebook / Valle Drive-In Located in Newton, the Valle Drive-In was founded way back in 1949. it’s the oldest drive-in in Iowa. If you have a classic car, take it to the Valle.
Facebook / Valle Drive-In If you have never hung one of these on your window before, you need to head to the drive-in right now - the world’s worst car’s stereo will sound a lot better, but you must at least see what this sounds like!
Superior 71 Drive-In
Facebook / Superior 71 Drive In In Spirit Lake, the Superior 71 shows first-run double features with bright and clear digital projection and sound. The sky is pretty great too.
Facebook / Superior 71 Drive In The concession stand has everything you need! Make sure to order the large popcorn - you don’t go to the drive-in every day!
Once you’ve visited all of Iowa’s old-school drive-ins, check out these historic Iowa movie theaters.
Facebook / Blue Grass Drive-In
Located in Blue Grass, this drive-in theater offers a classic experience in a facility that’s completely modernized.
The theater is near the Quad Cities. It has two fully digital screens, a modern concession stand and restroom, and a state-of-the-art kitchen. The rest of the experience: right out of the 1950s!
Facebook / 61 Drive In Theater
The 61 Drive-In Theatre in Delmar is one of the last and longest running drive-in theaters in the country. It offers a great deal - two movies for the price of one.
The 61 has lots of fun pre-movie games, including basketball, volleyball, whiffle ball, tether ball, a sand box, a swing set and train rides. Don’t become so worn out you fall asleep during the movie!
Facebook / Valle Drive-In
Located in Newton, the Valle Drive-In was founded way back in 1949. it’s the oldest drive-in in Iowa. If you have a classic car, take it to the Valle.
If you have never hung one of these on your window before, you need to head to the drive-in right now - the world’s worst car’s stereo will sound a lot better, but you must at least see what this sounds like!
Facebook / Superior 71 Drive In
In Spirit Lake, the Superior 71 shows first-run double features with bright and clear digital projection and sound. The sky is pretty great too.
The concession stand has everything you need! Make sure to order the large popcorn - you don’t go to the drive-in every day!
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Address: 74 W Mayne St, Blue Grass, IA 52726, USAAddress: 1228 US-61, Delmar, IA 52037, USAAddress: 4074 Hwy F48 W, Newton, IA 50208, USAAddress: 1482 300th Ave, Spirit Lake, IA 51360, USA
