Map: Old Drive-In Movie Theaters

This neat city map blog, called NY City Map, just updated with some vintage aerial photos from 1951. Did you know New York had its share of drive-in movie theaters? There was The Whitestone Drive-In in the Bronx, The Fabian on Staten Island and The Bayshore Sunrise Drive-In (out on Long Island).

Today, there are still some drive-ins in New York state, but none within the city limits. According to Drive-In Movie, "although New York State was one of the first 10 American states to host a Drive-in movie theatre— the first one in NY had opened in August of 1938 at Valley Stream, on Long Island (a long time gone), the Empire State was still what you'd call: a late bloomer. Generally, across America, the peak years for Drive-ins were the mid to late 50's. New York's peak season was '63, with over 150 Driveins lit-up that year. Since then, the state has experienced a rate of attrition and decline of 82%, but yet, NY remains one of the top 5 Drive-in states, with nearly 30 Drive-ins that remain lit currently & seasonally."

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By Jen Carlson in Arts & Entertainment on July 12, 2010 3:46 PM

Comments [rss]

John L

I've always wanted to go to one! Which is the closest one to NYC still in operation?

Never mind I googled it and found this:

http://newyorkkids.timeout.com/articles/summer-fun/29780/drive-in-movie-theaters-near-new-york-city

I think I'll make a weekend getaway of it, thanks Jen Carlson and Gothamist!

ottoemezzo

When I was a kid there was one not far out on route 3 in the Meadowlands. You could sometimes smell the insecticide from them spraying the marshes.

famdoc

whoa, that's one long link...and it doesn't work

just search google images for the Mahopac Drive-In if you really want to see it.

ebbhead

The one in Warwick, NY, (Orange Co. not far from Woodbury Common) is still hopping despite the supermarket parking lot floodlights nearby. Good times.

ganghiscon

I remember Bay Shore. I saw a Superman movie there when I was very young, I believe Superman IV.

aprilnyc

I remember the Valley Stream location. It was rather fancy. There was a big playground with swings and more, and as a child I would sleep through the film since I had so much fun int the playground, which I'm sure was the point of having it in the first place. So I have no recollection of what movies were shown when I attended.