A summer night at the drive-in is a timeless tradition the whole family can enjoy. Here are our editor-approved picks for the best drive-in theater in every New England state.
A summer night at the drive-in is a timeless tradition the whole family can enjoy. Looking for a great spot to catch a flick? Here are our editor-approved picks for the best drive-in movie theater in every New England state.
Need more outdoor travel ideas? Find these picks, plus more than 120 of the best things to do, places to eat, and places to stay that celebrate the great outdoors in The Best of New England: Outdoor Edition.
The Saco Drive-In in Saco, Maine Photo Credit : Courtesy of the Saco Drive-In
Though this 40-acre complex hosts eastern Connecticut’s largest flea market, the main attraction since 1954 has been cinema under the stars. Three screens show first-run features and old-school flicks via digital projection, while the snack bar serves up everything from clam fritters to fried Oreos.
Located a mere 20 minutes from Portland, the state’s first drive-in theater is still going strong. Visitors kick back among the trees at this 1939 single-screen standby, which hosts new releases, old favorites like The Goonies, and the occasional quirky treat, such as a screening of The Hunchback of Notre Dame set to music from one of the oldest working municipal pipe organs in the U.S., Portland’s own Kotzschmar Organ.
In the world of drive-in theaters, the c. 1954 Mendon Twin definitely runs with the cool crowd. You’ll not only enjoy a deftly curated collection of first-run and vintage movies but also primo concessions (triple cheeseburgers, mac ’n’ cheese bites, hot fudge sundaes) and access to a beer garden serving wine, sangria, and draft brews (past offerings have included local favorites Wormtown Brewery and High Limb Cider). Next to the beer garden’s 5,000-square-foot patio are fire pits where you can toast s’mores while keeping an eye on the big-screen action.
Best Drive-In Theater in New Hampshire:
Milford Drive-In, Milford
The concessions alone will whet your appetite for a trip to this c. 1958 go-to: fried dough and cotton candy, hamburgers and hot dogs, and frappes in a dozen flavors. Once you’ve got an armload of treats, settle in for new-release double features on two big screens. Admission is $30 per carload for up to six people, so don’t forget to bring your friends. Also boosting the Milford Drive-In’s appeal are special-event screenings of non-Hollywood fare, such as concerts by Garth Brooks and Blake Shelton.
Best Drive-In Theater in Rhode Island:
Rustic Tri-View, North Smithfield
The state’s only first-run drive-in may be retro to the point of no-frills, but with three screens showing double features plus a snack bar that doles out doughboys and clam cakes, it’s a guaranteed good time.
Best Drive-In Theater in Vermont:
Sunset Drive-In, Colchester
The only thing better than a family night at the movies is when the big-screen fun also includes a mini-golf course and a playground. Opened in 1946, the Burlington area’s sole drive-in theater flickers to life every night in summer with double features on four giant screens. Just next door, the Starlight Inn offers movie-themed rooms for those who’d like to extend the cinematic spell.
Did we miss your favorite? Leave your picks for the best New England drive-in theaters in the comments below.
