Best Drive-Ins in America – Did Michigan Make the Cut?
It’s wild to think how long drive-in movie theaters have been around. The drive-in actually dates back to the 1930s, so it’s been a beloved summertime activity for more than a century. Now, the experts at USA Today have put together a tally of the best drive-ins in America. So, is Michigan in here?
Best Drive-Ins in America – Where Is Michigan?
USA Today recently published a feature on the best drive-ins in America. What’s cool is that they had their panel of travel experts put together a master list of some of the best drive-ins in the country, and then, they had real travelers around the U.S. vote for their favorites. In the article, they point out how rare drive-ins are today. “The rise of home entertainment led to the decline of the classic American drive-in, and there are currently fewer than 400 in operation,” they write. “Still, this great American pastime is undergoing a revival, with many drive-ins converting to digital projection and offering innovative concessions.”
Before we get to our state, let’s look at the No. 1 drive-in movie theater in the country. It’s Skyview Drive-In in Belleville, Illinois. In the article, they mention that Skyview Drive-In has been in operation since 1949. That’s some rich history. “The venue frequently hosts special events like film festivals, live music, and movie nights with Santa,” they add. “They also have a concession stand on site with hot food like cheeseburgers, fries, hot dogs, nachos, and popcorn.” Sounds like a win-win to me. Also among the best drive-ins in America, coming in at No. 5 on the roster is Shankweiler’s Drive-In Theatre in Orefield, Pennsylvania, which is the oldest operating drive-in theater in the U.A. “The business originally opened in 1934 and operates all year round,” USA Today writes. “In addition to movies, there’s a snack bar on site with options like veggie dogs, popcorn, cheeseburgers, funnel cakes, and ice cream.”
Well, no Michigan drive-in made the cut. Plus, Belleville is about eight hours from Detroit, so it’s quite the road trip for a drive-in theater. Orefield, Pennsylvania is even further. But, thankfully, Michigan has its own awesome drive-ins. I really wish one of these had been highlighted in the USA Today article, but to each their own. A few choice drive-ins in Michigan are the Ford Wyoming Drive In located in the Detroit area, the Hi-Way Drive-In located in Carsonville, the Getty Drive-In located in Muskegon and the Capri Drive-In Theater in Coldwater. Of course, there are many more, so these are just a few. I think a drive-in theater is so much fun to visit in the summer, especially on a date, so I can’t wait to try some of the drive-ins named in this article. If you’re vacationing outside of your city, it can be fun to find a drive-in to check out, too. Reach out to me with your favorite drive-ins.
Secret Tips to Save Money on Your Next Vacation
1. Try to Negotiate Your Lodging
Did you know that hotel fees can be negotiable? Fidelity.com points out that, “You may be able to negotiate the online price by calling a hotel directly, or asking if they have any discounts for students, government employees, or members of certain groups, such as AAA.” So, don’t settle for that price you see on your laptop. Try to do better. It’s a secret tip that can pay off bigtime.
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2. Get Smart with Your Lodging
Did you know some hotels that are virtually the same, including the same brand, can be cheaper just a few miles apart? As a general rule, hotels that are near the airport are more expensive. So, you can look at the hotels you want to stay at and their multiple locations in the area for the best rate. “Some hotels that are under construction may rent rooms at a discount, which is a great option if you can deal with the noise,” Fidelity.com points out.
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3. Snack Your Way to a Cheaper Trip
Going out to eat on vacation can be one of the most exciting things about the trip. But, if you want to save on cash, skip a few meals out and opt for healthy, hearty snacks. Pack (or buy at a local store) some protein-rich snacks, like protein bars and meal bars, and limit your dining out. You can still enjoy some of the best food the area has to offer, just not as much of it. This is a way to stay fit on your trip, too. A lot of people don’t think of this tip, so it’s a bit of a secret.
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4. Timing is Everything
You’ve heard it so many times in life: Timing is everything. That’s true for travel, too. Research to find the least-busy times to visit your destination. If you travel during those downtimes, you’ll save big. While this is a common tip, something people forget is that every vacation destination has its own peak time. So, be specific for your travel spot.
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5. Travel with a Friend
If you’re thinking of traveling solo to a place you’ve always wanted to visit, go cheaper by traveling with a friend. You two can share lodging fees. Also, sometimes there are more deals and discounts for those traveling with multiple people. I always do this when going to a big music festival, if it’s far away. I’ll usually meet my friend there, and we share lodging costs. It also makes the trip more fun.
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6. Find Free Spots to Travel
Look for some free attractions in your travel area. Chances are, they won’t be as packed as the big-named places, too. You can still visit some of the popular landmarks. But, if you add a trip to a national park or free museum to your itinerary, it will save you some cash.
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7. Max Out Your Memberships
Are you a member of any random groups? You might have travel deals just waiting for you. Check everything, from your college alumni membership to your credit cards, for travel discounts. You may be surprised what you find.
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8. Don't Get Picky
Say you just want to get out on a fantastic trip, but you don’t really have a place in mind. That’s actually a good thing. Take an hour to look at flight specials happening right now. If you aren’t picky on where to travel, chances are you’ll find a great rate on airfare and lodging somewhere. Once you find the most reasonable place to travel, then you can start looking at what to do when you’re there.
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9. Go Popular
This is a bit ironic, but often times, the most popular tourist destinations are also the cheapest. That’s because there is a lot of competition for all those travelers. So, big-named destinations like Orlando, Florida, or Las Vegas, Nevada, tend to have really good travel deals. Go popular, or go home.
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