Photo by Discover Lehigh Valley PA on Flickr via license
Summertime promises long days, endless sunshine (well, sometimes, this is Pennsylvania, after all), and catching (then setting free) lightning bugs on balmy evenings. For some of us, it also means piling the whole family, including our pets, into the car for an old-fashioned night out at the drive-in. After all, little compares to sitting under the stars, on a blanket on the ground or with the windows down in our car, watching a double feature while indulging in good eats – popcorn, hot dogs, fries, ice cream, and, for those of us who can’t say no, maybe even an oversized pickle. Did you know we’ve got quite a few pet-friendly drive-in theaters in Pennsylvania? One is even open year-round.
Drive-in Etiquette
We’re fortunate to have more than half a dozen pet-friendly drive-in movie theaters in Pennsylvania. To ensure these nostalgic destinations continue welcoming pets, keep a few simple tips in mind:
- Follow the rules of the drive-in theater. Most have a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page on their website or, if it’s a spur-of-the-moment visit, ask at the drive-in if you have questions.
- Keep your pup on a leash, unless signs indicate dogs are allowed off-leash.
- Bring everything your pet needs – water bowl and food, for example – for a comfortable and fun experience.
- Clean up after your pet and properly dispose of the poop bag.
If you’ve never been to the drive-in, follow these rules for a stress-free experience:
- Leave the food at home. Drive-in theaters typically do not allow outside food and drink as the snack bar is how they make money. The good news is food at drive-in theaters tends to be more affordable than at your local movie theater. Some drive-in theaters also sell food permits that allow you to pay a small fee to bring your own food.
- Try to arrive early, so you have enough time to get a good parking spot and visit the concession stand before the film starts.
- Follow the posted speed limit, which is usually around five miles per hour, to ensure the safety of others.
- Turn your headlights off. If you open your door to get out of your car during the film, your headlights might automatically turn on, disrupting the movie-watching experience for others.
- Throw all garbage away. If the garbage cans are full, take your trash with you and throw it away at home.
Now that you’re familiar with drive-in etiquette, you can plan your next adventure. Here are the best pet-friendly drive-in theaters in Pennsylvania:
1. Shankweiler’s Drive-In – Orefield
As the oldest drive-in in the world, Shankweiler’s Drive-In rightfully sits at the top of any list of these nostalgic destinations. Since it opened in 1934, generations have spent leisurely evenings under the stars, catching the latest double feature. Shankweiler’s is open year-round, although it only shows films on the weekends during the off-season.
The dog-friendly drive-in in Pennsylvania opens two hours before show time. Consider arriving early, so you can snag a good parking spot. That also allows time to walk your pup around, so he can relieve himself, and to grab snacks from the snack bar. The snack bar serves a variety of hot and cold foods, including burgers, fries, funnel cake, popcorn, and ice cream.
2. Becky’s Drive-In Theatre – Walnutport
Pile the whole family into the car for a double feature at Becky’s Drive-In Theatre, a must-visit destination for movie lovers since 1946. All pets must remain on a leash and are not permitted in the refreshment stands. Arrive early to get a good spot and to set up your movie-viewing area. The kiddos can play at the playground before the first movie of the double feature starts, and you’ll probably want to check out the concession stand that serves such classic Pennsylvania dishes as pierogis and hot bologna. The menu also features a long list of favorites – burgers, pizza, fresh-cut fries, pretzels, and candy.
Becky’s Drive-In Theatre is open seasonally from April through October.
3. Evergreen Drive-In Theater – Mount Pleasant
Park and stretch your legs, along with your leashed pup, in the pet walking area at Evergreen Drive-In Theater, a dog-friendly drive-in in Mount Pleasant. The gates open at 7:30 p.m. with the first movie of the double feature beginning at dusk, so you’ll have plenty of time to find a good parking spot if you arrive early. Visit the two snack bars, too, where you’ll find tasty snacks and meals, including sandwiches, pizza, chicken strips, fries, and ice cream.
Evergreen Drive-In Theater is open seasonally.
4. Moonlite Drive-In Theatre – Brookville
Bring your pup along for a double feature at Moonlite Drive-In Theatre, another dog-friendly drive-in theater in Pennsylvania that requires pups remain on a leash at all times. Gates typically open between 7:15 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. (Check the drive-in in Brookville’s Facebook page for current features and opening time.) Outside food is not permitted, but you certainly won’t miss out. The snack bar boasts so many delicious options that you’ll probably need more than one trip to try everything you want. Burgers, corn dogs, hot Italian sausage, nachos, candy, and novelty ice cream are among your choices.
Moonlite Drive-In Theatre is open seasonally, typically from the end of March through fall.
5. Starlight Drive-In – Butler
Whether you like parking upfront by the movie screen or in the back, you’ll quickly discover there’s really no bad place to watch a double feature under the stars at Starlight Drive-In. The pet-friendly drive-in theater in Pennsylvania welcomes pets, as long as they remain on a leash and you clean up after them. As with the other drive-ins, outside food is not permitted. The concession stand, which sometimes offers deals, serves snacks and meals, including pizza, burgers, hot dogs, nachos, chicken fingers, milkshakes, and popcorn.
Starlight Drive-In is open seasonally, from April through September.
6. Mahoning Drive-In Theater – Lehighton
A night at the drive-in usually ends in the wee hours of the morning, but Mahoning Drive-In has the ideal solution. Guests can purchase an extended pass, and spend the night. The pet-friendly drive-in theater in Lehighton allows guests with an extended pass to sleep in their cars or pitch a tent. (RVs, pop-ups, and campers are not permitted.) If you only have one extended pass, you must leave by noon. The theater shows classic films and its concession stand features all of the staples – burgers (there’s even a vegan burger), hot dogs, fries, pierogis, popcorn, and ice cream.
The Mahoning Drive-In Theater is open seasonally from April through October.
7. Pike Drive-In Theatre – Montgomery
Our final pet-friendly drive-in brings us to Pike Drive-In Theatre in Montgomery. The two-screen drive-in has been an area staple since it first opened in 1953. Since then, generations of Pennsylvanians have visited to catch the latest double features. While most drive-ins do not allow outside food, Pike Drive-In sells a food permit for $10 per car, so you can bring whatever food you’d like. However, you’ll definitely want to take a peek at the snack bar, where the menu features such favorites as burgers, hot dogs, pierogis, pizza, onion rings, soft pretzels, and popcorn. Both the ticket booth and snack bar open at 7 p.m.
Pike Drive-In Theatre is open seasonally from May through early fall.
If you’ve wondered, can I take my dog to the drive-in, you sure can, at least to pet-friendly drive-in movie theaters in Pennsylvania. What do you think is the best pet-friendly drive-in theater in Pennsylvania? Or maybe you have a favorite drive-in in Pennsylvania that you visit every summer. Let us know, and maybe even share a photo or two of your pets at the drive-in, let us know by visiting our Facebook page.
