Imagine catching the latest blockbuster on a starry night from the comfort of your car, parked in a prime spot in front of an outdoor screen while you enjoy popcorn, a hot dog or milkshake.
While this sounds like something out of 1950s America, it’s a scene that still happens year-round at Stars & Stripes Drive-In Theatre in New Braunfels.
In fact, this three-screen drive-in recently made a list of the top ten best drive-ins in the nation by the USA Today’s Readers’ Choice Awards.
“It’s the ultimate in escapism for movie-going because you’ve got an affordable night out of the house that’s a unique, nostalgic experience,” said Ryan Smith, president of the Stars & Stripes Drive-In. “Being able to watch movies under the stars on a beautiful night outside just can’t be matched by anything indoors.”
Photo Credit: Stars & Stripes Drive-In Theatre
Stars & Stripes opened here in 2014 and quickly won the hearts of movie-lovers with its three screens (the largest in Texas), a 1950’s-style café and playground.
While the vibe is retro, the technology is modern, with digital projection and crisp sound that guests access by tuning into a designated FM station on their car stereo.
Part of the experience is a visit to the ‘50s Café, serving classic favorites such as burgers, fries, chicken strips, hot dogs and Frito pie. Popcorn, funnel cakes and hand-spun milkshakes also add to the experience.
Photo Credit: Stars & Stripes Drive-In Theatre
Smith is carrying on a family tradition with the drive-in. His grandfather started the Sky-Vue Drive-In Theatre in Lamesa, Texas in 1948. He and his wife own Stars & Stripes with his mother and father, along with another location in Lubbock that opened in 2003.
The drive-in is nostalgic for those who grew up with them in their communities. At the peak of their popularity in the 1950s, more than 4,000 drive-in theaters were open in the U.S. Today, fewer than 400 are open.
“I always felt like the experience of going to a drive-in theater was something that needed to be preserved and shared,” Smith said.
Smith has some tips for first-timers and anyone who wants to make the most of their night at the drive-in:
Arrive early. Get the full drive-in experience by arriving an hour or so before showtime. Find the perfect parking spot, let the kids play on the playground and eat dinner at the 50’s Café, watch the sunset and get settled in for the movie.
Sit outside. While you can definitely enjoy the movie from the comfort of inside your vehicle, consider taking advantage of Texas weather and by watching under the stars. Bring whatever you need to relax and enjoy the movie outside of your car, such as lawn chairs, blankets or even an inflatable mattress for the back of your pickup.
Bring a portable FM radio. This can be a helpful alternative to playing the movie on your car stereo and is especially helpful when you’re sitting outside your vehicle.
- On Friday and Saturday nights, double features play on each screen, so guests can enjoy two movies for the price of one.
For anyone who grew up going to drive-in theaters, the experience is a trip down memory lane. For families and anyone who loves movies, it’s a great way to make wonderful new memories.
“You might not remember everything about the movie, but you’re going to remember your night at the drive-in,” Smith said.
Be sure to include a night at the drive-in on your next adventure #InNewBraunfels! Learn about New Braunfels attractions, accommodations, dining, activities and more at visitnbtx.com.
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