When Was The Last Time You Went To The Drive-In?

Last week my son and I were supposed to go to the drive-in movie theater but rainy weather combined with poor movie selections (kid’s movies) led to us choosing to opt for an indoor location. But our decision on this particular evening should not take away from the fact that we could have had an enjoyable evening at the local drive-in.

Many of you out there may be wondering what I am talking about because you either didn’t realize Oklahoma City actually had a drive-in movie theater or you have never actually been to a drive-in movie before. If you fall in either of these categories, you are missing out.

I first began my long-standing relationship with the Winchester Drive-In when I was a kid. I remember the trips to the snack bar, the oversized speakers that would theoretically fit on top of your car windows, and the late-night nature movie viewing experience.

Although I took a lengthy hiatus from the drive-in during most of early adulthood years, I ventured back to the Winchester with my son several years ago and have enjoyed making it out there ever since. It’s such a unique spot – there is an even lesser-known drive-in theater in Guthrie – and I am always glad I have gone.

The great thing about the Winchester is that it is cheap to get in for the double feature, and the food is relatively inexpensive too. Honestly, it has to be because people would otherwise be hiding entire meals in the trunks of their cars.

The downside to going to the drive-in is that bad weather can dampen the evening. If it is raining, the show may still go on but exiting the theater will be muddy. And you’ll be using those windshield wipers throughout the two shows, which will undoubtedly be annoying.

Another problem is if the double feature isn’t to your liking, you won’t have other options. There is one screen and the movies usually run from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. If you don’t like the selections, you might end up sleeping through half the viewing experience.

The drive-in movie experience doesn’t seem to be the same as it was in the movies I watched as a kid, when it was THE place to go for high school couples looking to make out. But it is a great family experience and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is looking for something different.