Michigan summers come with a deal that most families forget is still out there. A handful of drive-in theaters across the state still show two movies for one ticket, and the kids can watch from the back seat in their pajamas.
Some of these lots have been running for decades, with playgrounds, snack bars, and screens big enough to see from the highway. Here are six spots where Michiganders can pack the car, skip the pricey cineplex, and stay out late under the stars.
1. Capri Drive-In Theater, Coldwater, MI
Coldwater sits right along old US-12, and the Capri is the kind of roadside stop that makes that drive feel like a throwback. It is a vintage drive-in with two screens, and every night brings a digital double feature.
The lineup tends to pair movies well, so a family can usually find a combo that keeps both the kids and the grown-ups happy. The snack bar handles counter service for popcorn, candy, and hot food, with prices that stay friendly to a family budget.
Gates run nightly, with listed hours from 8 to 10:45 PM, though show times shift with sunset. Saturday nights fill up fastest, while Monday through Wednesday are noticeably calmer.
Bringing the family dog? The Capri has dog-friendly areas, which is a nice bonus for anyone who hates leaving a pup home alone.
Clean restrooms round out a lot that keeps things simple. Call 517-278-5628 to confirm the current lineup before heading out.
2. Cherry Bowl Drive-In Theatre, Honor, MI
Cartoons first, then the movies. That old-school order is still how the Cherry Bowl runs things in the small town of Honor, not far from Sleeping Bear Dunes.
This 1950s-era drive-in leans hard into its retro roots. Classic cartoons roll before each double feature, and the property includes a diner, mini-golf, and a playground for kids who arrive with energy to burn.
The concession menu is longer than most. Expect pizza, hot dogs, chili dogs, fries, chicken strips, popcorn, caramel apples, and cotton candy.
I like this one for a Northern Michigan vacation night, since it fits neatly after a day at the beach. Prices stay family friendly, which matters when the car is full of hungry kids.
Plan around the schedule. The Cherry Bowl is closed Monday through Wednesday and open Thursday through Sunday from 7:30 to 11:30 PM, with Saturday being the busiest night.
3. Ford-Wyoming, Dearborn, MI
Two movies for $9 is a price that sounds borrowed from another decade, yet that is the kind of deal families find at Ford-Wyoming. Prices may vary, so check before you go.
Metro Detroit families have a big advantage here. This drive-in lot runs five screens, and each one plays nightly double features of recent releases.
With that many screens, there is a good chance of finding a kid-friendly pairing on the same night as something for older teens. The concession stand serves hot food, and a playground helps the little ones wiggle out before the first film starts.
Restrooms are kept clean, which matters on a long double-feature night. Both free and paid parking options are listed, depending on where you set up.
For city dwellers who think drive-ins only exist up north, this one is a pleasant surprise right off Ford Road. Call 313-846-6910 for the current lineup.
4. Getty Drive-In, Muskegon, MI
A Lake Michigan beach day and a double feature can share the same itinerary in Muskegon. The Getty Drive-In makes that plan easy.
This historic spot has four screens, each showing double features, with sound piped through your car radio. There is room to spread out between vehicles, so lawn chairs and blankets fit without crowding the neighbors.
Kids get their own entertainment between movies. A small arcade and a playground are on site.
The Getty also lets guests bring their own food and drinks, a real money saver for a big family. The concession stand is still there for anyone who wants popcorn, and prices stay reasonable.
Hours run daily from 7:30 to 11 PM, and parking is free. Saturday is the busy night, so weeknights are smart for a quieter visit.
5. US 23 Drive In Theatre, Flint, MI
More than six decades of double features have played on Fenton Road, and the US 23 Drive In is still at it.
Three screens show current movies with high-quality projectors, so the picture holds up even for families used to modern theaters. Parking spaces are laid out so most cars get a clear view.
Tickets are cheap, which is the whole point of this list. The concession stand is huge and serves food cooked fresh, along with popcorn and the classic snacks.
I would save this one for a Friday family night in mid-Michigan. Just know that Friday and Saturday are the busiest, so arriving early helps.
Gates are listed from 7:30 to 11:30 PM daily, with movies starting once the sky gets dark. Reach the theater at 810-238-0751 to see what is playing.
6. Summer Drive-In at USA Hockey Arena, Plymouth, MI
Most people know USA Hockey Arena for the rink, not the movies. Every summer, though, its grounds turn into a drive-in that has been running for over 20 years.
The season runs June through September. Movies play five nights a week, Wednesday through Sunday, on a choice of three large screens showing double features of new releases.
Gates open at 7:30 PM and films start at dusk. Since the second feature can run late, the listed closing time stretches to 1 AM, so younger kids may doze off in the back seat.
Refreshments are available, along with restrooms, trash cans, and free Wi-Fi. The lot is affordable compared to an indoor cineplex and usually is not overly packed.
For western Wayne County families, it is a close-to-home summer tradition. Call 734-927-3284 for the weekly schedule.
From Honor to Dearborn, these six lots prove a cheap night out still exists in Michigan. Pack the snacks, grab the blankets, and let the kids pick the second movie.