We used to go to the Indian Drive-in on 27th Ave & Indian School, and the Northern Drive-In on I-17 and Northern.īoth were torn down in the 1980's. They also did a 4th of July Fireworks show one year that was breathtaking - they were shooting off the fireworks in a very tight area, so our car was getting showered with sparks. I think it was at the Northern Drive In, which had a train track running right next to it which periodically drowned out the soundtrack whenever a train came thundering through. Near the end of my drive-in experience: a Triple Bill of 'Race with the Devil' (satanic cultists chase Warren Oates and Peter Fonda in one long sustained car chase), 'Mad Max', and 'Death Race 2000'. The storm came and went, leaving one of those beautiful clear desert skies behind. A dust-storm monsoon hit about halfway through the second feature, but the projectionist hung in. My best drive-in experience evah: A double bill of 'Billy Jack' and 'The Omega Man' at the Phoenix Drive-In. The experience of actually seeing it could never live up to the movie I imagined from the title. The title scared me so badly, I haven't seen it to this day. Sadly, I never got to see 'Door to Door Maniac' there. My Mom didn't like to travel to areas outside our immediate neighborhood, so I might as well have asked her to take us to Pakistan. I remember the Acres Drive-In and the Silver Dollar as getting many of the best monster and horror films that I tried to get my Mom to take us to. That gave its name to Cinema Park Health Foods, a chain around the valley that probably puzzled many as to the origin of the name. Not on that list is the Cinema Park Drive-In, which I think was near 7th St and Bethany Home. Cactus Drive-In, 1401 South Alvernon, Tucson, Az.Miracle Mile Drive-In, 600 West Glenn, Tucson, Az.Prince Drive-In, 2015 East Prince Road, Tucson, Az.Fiesta Drive-In, 3200 South Park Avenue, Tucson, Az.Midway Drive-In, 4500 East Speedway Blvd, Tucson, Az.Apache Drive-In, 1600 Benson Hwy, Tucson, Az.South Twin Drive-In, 56 & Elliott, Tempe, AZ.Valley Drive-In, Cave Creek and Sweetwater, Phoenix, Az.Northern Drive-In I-17 and Northern Phoenix, AZ.Golden Valley Drive-In Theatre Highway 68, Golden Valley, AZ 86413.Here are the dead ones, most of which I remember: Here are the currently operating Drive-Ins in the state: With low prices, friendly staff, and a commitment to showing new movies, it’s no wonder this hidden gem has been entertaining Riverside residents for over 50 years.Here's a cool site devoted to American Drive-In theaters: The next time you’re looking for an affordable night out with the family, make sure to check out the Van Buren Drive-In Theatre. So if you’re looking for a cheap night out at the movies, and don’t want to wait months for the newest blockbuster to hit streaming services, head on down to Riverside’s best kept secret-the Van Buren Drive-In Theatre.

Thanks to its longstanding relationship with major Hollywood studios, the Drive-In often gets new releases before other theaters in the area. The Van Buren Drive-In is also a great place to see new movies. This dedication to customer service is evident in everything from the cleanliness of the grounds to the quality of the projection. The staff is always friendly and helpful, and goes out of their way to make sure every customer has a great experience. Part of its success can be attributed to its affordability a family of four can easily enjoy a night at the movies for less than $30.Īnother reason for the Van Buren Drive-In’s enduring popularity is its commitment to customer service. Despite the advent of streaming services and home movie theaters, the Drive-In has managed to not only stay afloat, but thrive. The Van Buren Drive-In first opened its doors in 1965, and has been a fixture of the Riverside community ever since. Read on to find out why the Van Buren Drive-In is Riverside’s best kept secret. This hidden gem has been serving up affordable family fun for over 50 years, and shows no signs of slowing down.

Tucked away in a quiet corner of Riverside, the Van Buren Drive-In Theatre is one of the best kept secrets in the Inland Empire. The Van Buren Drive-In is Riverside’s Best Kept Secret

Van buren drive in movie