The best part about Florida is that it is pretty much an endless summer which makes it the perfect place to grab your date or family and watch a movie at one of the last remaining drive-in theaters near Tampa. Drive-in theaters bring back the simpler times of the past and give us the opportunity to experience one of the favorite American pastimes.
Way back when in 1938 came the first ever drive-in theater to the state of Florida. Fast forward about 90 years, and Florida is one of the states with the last remaining drive-in theaters. This truly unique experience boomed in the ‘50s and ‘60s, but after the birth of the VCR and at home movies, we saw the rapid decline of American drive-ins.
Florida has some of the best year round weather in the country and this is a leading factor as to why there are still 8 remaining drive-in theaters in Florida. Not only does Florida have some of most operational drive-in theaters, but there are more proposed drive-in projects in the works!
What Made Drive-in Theaters So Special?
Well, drive-in theaters were originally made to play family friendly movies where families could enjoy the movies from the comfort of their cars, no matter how loud their children were. They were designed to give families the experience of a theater without worrying about noise or distractions since you were in your own vehicle.
Why Did Drive-in Theaters Start Closing Up Shop?
There are many reasons why beloved drive-in theaters across the country began to cut out the lights. Many blame it on the gas prices of the 70s and the rise of at home movies. Families started squishing into smaller vehicles making it easier to just stay home and watch from the comfort of their couch.
Luckily for us, there are still 8 drive-in movie theaters in Florida that we can enjoy anytime of the year! Here is our list of 4 drive-in theaters near Tampa.
