Fall Fun at the Drive-In Movies - Hunlock Creek or Hazleton, PA

Whether you’ve ever been to a drive-in movie theatre, think you heard of them, saw one on Happy Days, or don’t have a clue what I’m talking about… it’s time to go, people!

A drive-in movie theatre is like a trip back to the 50’s, or okay, maybe the 70’s, 80’s... Who knows when your neighborhood got rid of these hot spots, but ours are still happening. I haven’t been to one in ages, so it was well past time to rediscover this childhood treat.

My first visit was to the Garden Drive-In off of Route 11 in Hunlock Creek. I have to admit it’s a long out-of-the-way drive for most people, but the novelty and cheap night out are so worth it. Others obviously thought so too because both parking lots were packed. Only $7 for adults and $4 for kids (under 12) gets you two screens and four movies to choose from.

Families and movie freaks find their special spot. Front-and-center aficionados or back row buffs, everyone shares a clear view. In the old days, you would drive up to a speaker post and hang it from your window. Now you just tune your radio to the drive-in’s station and if lucky, get some high-fi. Though not equipped with stadium seating, surround-sound or 3D technology, the joy is in having it your way! In a car, on a truck or kicked back on patio chairs—everyone has their own drive-in style.

The night I went, Rock of Ages and The Dark Night were playing on one screen. Laughing at those hilarious hair bands. Swooning over Batman. Gorging on concession confections, checking cell phones, talking loud and having our own little party. That little car bubble of privacy was better than any Imax!

Another off-the-beaten-path option is the Laurel Drive-in on Route 309 in Hazleton. There it’s just one screen with two movies, starting at 8:40 any weeknight. Ticket prices are the same as above, but it’s not nearly as crowded. We had almost the whole row to ourselves, which was perfect because the hilarity escaping our windows was slightly ear-splitting.

As we pulled in the sunset greeted us with a wild display of scarlet and salmon indigo, beating all past cinema previews into the dust. Our eyes lit up. The sun went down. It started off quiet and contained. The Bourne Legacy’s maze of intrigue confounded us into constant questions and plot predictions. After, there was a long and sort of loud announcement break for the concession stand. Then it was time for Ted and things got a little crazy. You can’t help but fall in love with that snuggable, huggable, ridiculous degenerate of a teddy bear. Or at least I couldn’t! And other than my date, no one else had to put up with the giggling, snorting and wisecrack wonder our night turned out to be.

A night of nostalgia. Blockbuster entertainment. Your own little cinematic bubble of fun. Families, friends, romance…take a road trip on your next movie night and see what the drive-in delivers! Maybe drive-in dynamite if you bring someone snuggly like…Ted.