Classic drive-in movie theaters date back to much simpler times, summer nights where couples or families could drive to a theater, park, and enjoy a movie from the comfort of their own car. Originating during the 1920’s, these theaters have seen the entire evolution of films, from silent movies to painted walls to movie screens. Fortunately, many states still boast drive-in theaters, including the state of Alabama. Locals and visitors alike will find several drive-ins in the state for family fun and date nights. CDC information for travelers. Hours/availability may have changed.
1.Coyote Drive-in
The Coyote Drive-in is located at the Outlet Shops of Grand River in Leeds, Alabama. The drive-in theater includes four outdoor screens, a miniature golf course, a bar, a restaurant, a playground and a stage for live entertainment. Customers can watch double features under the stars at the outdoor movie theater, and its highly recommended to get to the Coyote early, particularly on the weekends, in order to find the best spots to watch the films. Guests can park their car and shop at Grand River before the movie begins. Mini-golf can be played without purchasing a movie ticket.
6200 Grand River Pkwy, Leeds, AL 35094, Phone: 205-208-1414
2.411 Twin Drive-in Theater and Grill
The 411 Twin Drive-in Theater and Grill in Centre, Alabama. The outdoor theater provides fun for the entire family, and is open throughout the entire year on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The drive-in theater is open seven days a week as well from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. The 411 Twin Drive-in shows newly released film, allowing customer to choose from two double features every weekend. The drive-in also features a concession stand that serves popcorn, hamburgers, pizza, candy, and beverages. Emory Johnson first opened the 411 Twin back in the year 1953 during a time in which drive-ins were booming.
300 County Rd 265, Centre, AL 35960, Phone: 256-927-2855
3.Cinemagic Theatre
Cinemagic Theatre is a five-screen movie theater owned by Mr. and Mrs. Freehauf. The Cinemagic Drive-in is located adjacent to it on South Jefferson. The theater show first-run films, and offers discounts on “Bargain Tuesdays.” The drive-in theater features a single outdoor movie screen, as well as a concession stand that offers a variety of movie snacks. Cinemagic Theatre is somewhat new, having opened in 2006 as more of a “mom and pop” business. The drive-in provides audio for the movies it show through FM radio. The movies tend to often be family-friendly, and the parking spots are rather large.
1702 S Jefferson St SE, Athens, AL 35611, Phone: 256-233-0402
4.Continental Drive-in
The Continental Drive-in is a family owned and operated business that boasts four outdoor screens. The outdoor movie theater aims to provide customers with high-quality and affordable entertainment for the whole family. Each screen at the drive-in has its own name, which are The Goober, The Starlight, The Dixieland, and The Skyview. The Continental is open on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays throughout the summer season. The outdoor theater is a new drive-in, opened to the public by Continental Cinemas on April 15 of 2005. Showing all of the latest blockbuster hits, the drive-in accepts debit cards, credit cards, and cash.
14200 US-84, Newton, AL 36352, Phone: 334-692-3890
5.Sand Mountain Drive-In
Twin outdoor movie screens show popular movies to the public at the classic Sand Mountain Drive-in. The on-site concession stand serves all of the typical movie theater treats, such as candy, freshly popped popcorn, a variety of beverages, and pizza. Customers can also bring their own food and drinks to the drive-in theater as well. The Sand Mountain shows double features on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. It’s a great source of entertainment for the entire family, and in affordable one too, as the drive-in charges per car. The theater first opened in the year 1996 and can accommodate up to 400 cars.
10480 US Hwy 431, Boaz, AL 35956, Phone: 256-593-5599
6.Henagar Drive-in
The Henagar Drive-in theater is another newer drive-in, part of the “drive-in renaissance” of America. The outdoor movie theater opened in May of the year 1999. The somewhat new drive-in theater, which was constructed from the ground up, features just a single screen and can accommodate a maximum of up to two hundred cars. The Henagar Drive-in provides double features of current releases on Fridays and Saturdays, as well as “Blowout” screenings on occasion, during which four movies are shown back-to-back. Audio is accessed through FM radio, and no outside drinks or food are allowed at the drive-in.
168 Gourge Rd, Henagar AL 35978, Phone: 256-657-1340
7.Blue Moon Drive-in
The Blue Moon Drive-in is an old-school outdoor movie theater that consists of two large screens, providing a movie experience that offers fun for guests of all ages. The drive-in theater first opened to the community back in the year 1956 with just on screen and went by the name Gu-Win Drive-in. The outdoor movie theater has since changed its name and added an addition screen, and now has a capacity of up to two hundred and fifty vehicles. The Blue Moon shows double features of current films and provides movie audio through FM radio. There is also a concession stand.
4728 US-43, Guin AL 35563, Phone: 205-468-8046
8.King Drive-in
The King Drive-in in the town of Russellville is the oldest continuously operating drive-in movie theater in the entire state of Alabama. The historic drive-in first opened back in 1949, and is the last drive-in still in operation in northern Alabama. The outdoor movie theater traditionally has shown movies during the summer season, but now opens earlier in the Spring and remains open later into the fall. It is a more family-oriented drive-in that typically screens double features, as well as occasionally showing trip features, on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Audio is via FM stereo, and there is an on-site concession stand.
18478 US-43, Russellville, AL 35653, Phone: 256-332-3619
8 Best Drive-in Theaters in Alabama
- Coyote Drive-in, Photo: Courtesy of jetcityimage - Fotolia.com
- 411 Twin Drive-in Theater and Grill, Photo: 411 Twin Drive-in Theater and Grill
- Cinemagic Theatre, Photo: Courtesy of waynerd - Fotolia.com
- Continental Drive-in, Photo: Continental Drive-in
- Sand Mountain Drive-In, Photo: Courtesy of Tomasz Zajda - Fotolia.com
- Henagar Drive-in, Photo: Courtesy of nicojonnyenglish - Fotolia.com
- Blue Moon Drive-in, Photo: Blue Moon Drive-in
- King Drive-in, Photo: Courtesy of Frank Fennema - Fotolia.com
- Cover Photo: Courtesy of Artifexphoto - Fotolia.com
More Ideas in Alabama: River Rest Bed and Breakfast in Talladega
Located near Birmingham, Alabama, River Rest Bed and Breakfast is a comfortable retreat located on the shores of the beautiful Lake Logan Martin. A perfect alternative to traditional lodging or a hotel, River Rest Bed and Breakfast offers an ideal locale for special occasions such as wedding anniversaries, birthdays, honeymoons and intimate romantic weekends. River Rest Bed and Breakfast in Alabama offers five beautifully appointed guest rooms with private bathrooms, contemporary décor, and modern amenities.
River Rest Bed and Breakfast offers five beautifully appointed guest rooms with private bathrooms, antique furnishings, and modern amenities. All guest rooms feature king-size beds with Simmons Beauty Rest pillow-top mattresses and high-thread-count linens, and private bathrooms and charming views of the surrounding landscapes. Modern amenities include flat-screen televisions with cable channels and complimentary wireless Internet.
The Back in Time room features a king-size with a Simmons Beauty Rest pillow-top mattress and high-thread-count linens, a private bathroom with shower, thick towels and deluxe bath amenities, and a large dormer window with stunning lake views.
The Lake Wood room is a spacious room on the upper level with a king-size with a Simmons Beauty Rest pillow-top mattress and high-thread-count linens, a private bathroom with shower, thick towels and deluxe bath amenities and a large couch below a dormer window facing the woods.
The Garden room is a tropical-inspired room with a king-size with a Simmons Beauty Rest pillow-top mattress and high-thread-count linens, and a private bathroom with a whirlpool tub, thick towels, and deluxe bath amenities. The Garden Room has a private entrance and fantastic views of the backyard.
The Sunrise room is a secluded room with four large windows that flood the room with natural light. The room has a king-size with a Simmons Beauty Rest pillow-top mattress and high-thread-count linens, and a private bathroom with a whirlpool tub, thick towels, and deluxe bath amenities.
The River View room features a spacious living room overlooking the master bedroom, which has a king-size with a Simmons Beauty Rest pillow-top mattress and high-thread-count linens, and a bathroom with a whirlpool tub, thick towels, and deluxe bath amenities. The River View room boasts beautiful views of the backyard and gardens.
River Rest Bed and Breakfast has several comfortable areas in which to relax, including a cozy den with a high-ceilinged loft and beautiful views of the lake. A six-seater hot tub and an outdoor fire pit offer the perfect way to unwind and boast stunning elevated views of Lake Logan Martin.
River Rest Bed and Breakfast offers a peaceful and secluded location for romantic weddings with a stunning beach and gorgeous lake views.
The River Rest Bed and Breakfast is located near Birmingham in Alabama, which offers an array of things to see and do in the area and beyond. Outdoor recreational activities include hiking, mountain biking, fishing, wildlife and bird watching and exploring the local state parks, such as the Cheaha Mountain State Park. Birmingham is home to an array of attractions, including the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, the Birmingham Zoo, and several museums. There are also plenty of specialty shops, antique malls, boutiques, and flea markets to enjoy and Nascar enthusiasts can catch a race at the Talladega SuperSpeedway.
Back to: Alabama Weekend Getaways
3883 Griffit Bend Rd., Talladega, AL 35160, Phone: 866-670-7378
More Ideas in Alabama: Alligator Alley
In 2004, Alligator Alley's owner, Wes Moore, opened his alligator farm and sanctuary. Each alligator living here has been rescued from an unsafe place or unnatural habitat and brought to the sanctuary, which was created to provide a more natural environment for these animals. These alligators are regarded as "nuisance animals" as they no longer fear humans, which makes them dangerous around people. Once these alligator have reached a length of four feet, they are deemed hazardous to property or humans and have to be removed from the area. Watching these magnificent animals at Alligator Alley is an experience visitors won't soon forget.
The guided adventure at Alligator Alley begins with a trek to a viewing platform above the alligator’s habitat. From there, guests can view more than 450 alligators, ranging in age from newborns to adults, as they relax, sunbathe, court, and nest. After taking in a breathtaking view, visitors continue their journey down the elevated boardwalk through the surrounding nature. Along the way, guests have the opportunity to view not only the alligators that call the farm home, but also turtles, bull frogs, owls, and ospreys just a few feet away.
After the guided adventure, visitors have the opportunity to spend time at Alligator Alley's gator station, where they can hold a baby alligator or take a picture with one. There are trained expert staff are on hand who are happy to talk to visitors and answer any questions they may have about the alligators.
The more adventurous guests can even experience feeding the alligators. Alligator Alley has three feeding sessions every day that visitors can participate in, once in the late morning and twice in the afternoon. All they have to do is grab some alligator food and follow the instructions of the staff. There's no need to worry as staff members are on hand to supervise at all times.
Alligator Alley also offers birthday party experiences, creating a memorable party that children will never forget. The program starts with the guided adventure along the elevated boardwalk, while the party itself takes place in an air-conditioned sunroom, where every guest will have a chance to hold a baby alligator under the supervision of a staff member. In addition, the birthday girl or boy receives a backpack, a water bottle, and a t-shirt.
Field trips are also possible at the alligator farm, and Alligator Alley provides a fun and memorable learning experience for both students and teachers. After the guided adventure on the boardwalk, students have the opportunity to watch the alligator feedings as well as have the chance to hold a baby alligator. The alligator farm also makes for a perfect place for hands-on learning about some of Alabama’s wildlife.
19950 Highway 71, Summerdale, AL 36580, Phone: 251-946-2483
