’Tis the season for drive-in theaters

Posted on April 26, 2008 11:30 by ayersian
Categories: Travel Notes

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In our travels, the one thing that can trump our indulging in Roadfood is a night at a drive-in theater with a tub of popcorn to share. A true American icon, the venerable drive-in now survives in remote locations. Numbering 4,000+ theaters at its peak in the 1960s, the rise of color TV, VCRs, and the multiplex has whittled that number to less than 400 around the country.

With spring now in full swing, we’ve been anticipating the opening of Mansfield Drive-In Theater, 20 minutes south of us in Mansfield, CT. Even with a lagging economy, Mansfield’s ticket prices have not risen: a mere $9/person gets you a double feature on three screens. And the concessions are wonderful: hot dogs, burgers, chicken tenders, fries, ice cream, nachos, and clam fritters—an oddity outside of New England. We think that Mansfield’s popcorn (no butter, please) is the best around, perfectly crunchy with just enough salt.

Currently rated 3.7 by 7 people

  • Currently 3.714286/5 Stars.
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April 27. 2008 10:27

A trip to the Pleasant Valley Drive-In is a trip to remember. Family owned and run seasonally (of course) from about Memorial Day to Labor Day weekends.

The snack bar offers the usual fare; hotdogs, hamburgers, fries, popcorn, sodas, ice cream and treats. However, you can bring your own (non-alcoholic) tail gate picnic prior to the show. There are plenty of Frisbee fetching dogs and kids playing tag before the sun and viewers settle in for a double feature on a warm summer night.

Pleasant Valley is just that. The village is located along the banks of the Farmington River in the beautiful area once home to Hitchcock furniture located in nearby Riverton, CT.

Always call or check the paper for show times being a smae operation the schedule can vary.

John Lundquist

May 13. 2008 20:19

Chris & Amy,

Great write-up! There is a twin screen still in operation in my hometown and I spent many a summer night there. Tuesdays were carload night for $5 and I'm old enough to remember when they still used the speakers that attached to the windows (it's all AM/FM now). I don't rememeber the food being spectacular, but I'll have to go again this summer for research purposes! I remember my parents taking my sister and I to see "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" when we were just kids and being scared out of my mind!

billyboy

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