All the Best Drive-In Movie Theaters in Kentucky
One of the greatest things about summer is catching a movie at a drive-in theater. Drive-Ins have been around since the 1930s, and there’s something about them that seems to transport you back in time! There are only about 300 of these theaters left around the country, and we are fortunate to have some amazing options in and around Kentucky! Check out this list to find one near you, and start planning a perfect, nostalgic night for your summer bucket list! I have listed these in order from closest to Lexington to farthest, but depending on your location you may want to check out one further down the list! Many of these are about the same distance from most cities in Central Kentucky anyways!
xoxo
Emily
The Bourbon Drive-In Theater is located at the intersection of US 68 and Jackstown Road in Paris, Kentucky. This is the closest Drive-In to Lexington, KY- only a 30 minute drive from downtown Lexington. It has been around since 1956 and is open for movies every weekend! Check out their facebook page for info on what’s playing!
Judy Drive-In, located in Mount Sterling, has something fun lined up every weekend! From throwback movies to socially distant concerts, there’s always something going on! They are currently offering online ticket reservations as well! (45 minute drive from Lexington, KY). Find more info on their Facebook page here.
The Stanford Drive-In is currently open on Fridays and Saturdays. This summer, they are featuring older movies, such as The Goonies, ET, and Dirty Dancing. They have been continuously operating since 1952. Check out their Snack Bar for concession options during your visit! (1 hour drive from Lexington, KY). It also appears they may have a flea market on site which is always very intriguing to me (I’m not positive it’s open right now though)! Find more info on their Facebook page here.
The Sauerbeck Family Drive-In is one of the newest drive-in theaters in the entire country! They are open daily, and often feature theme nights, including Retro Wednesday series (ex: Grease, Footloose, Jaws) and Ladies’ Night chick flicks. They charge by the carload ($15 per car). (1 hr 20 minute drive from Lexington, KY. 30 minutes from Louisville, KY). Check out their Facebook page here for the latest info on their showings and events.
The 27 Twin Drive-In is located in Somerset, KY, minutes from Lake Cumberland! This would be the perfect spot to enjoy a movie after a day on the lake. As the name implies, they have two screens, and each has a double feature! They are currently open on weekends. While you’re in the area, don’t miss out on grabbing local coffee from Baxter’s and donuts from Amon’s Sugar Shack! (1.5 hour drive from Lexington, KY). Check out their Facebook page here.
Georgetown Drive-In, located in Indiana, is a great option for people living in Louisville, as it’s 20 mins from downtown Louisville. They are open on the weekends, and have been around since 1951! They also feature two screens, and are one of the few remaining drive-ins that maintains a playground for kids! (1.5 hours from Lexington, KY)
Skyline Drive-In is a great option for Western/Central Kentuckians. Located just outside of Campbellsville, it is a 2 hour drive from Lexington, 1 hr 15 minutes from Bowling Green, 40 minutes from Elizabethtown. They are currently open on weekends, and charge $10 per carload. They also offer food vouchers- you can purchase for $5 to bring food from home, or they have concessions available! Check out their Facebook page here for all the latest info on their showings.
Holiday Drive-In Theater is also located across state lines in Indiana, but it’s just a 15 minute drive from Owensboro, KY. They are open every night and have been around since 1955. They are now up to SIX screens, and each has a double feature! This drive-in definitely has the most options for movies each week and came highly recommended from some of your who live or grew up in that area. Check out their Facebook page here.
Franklin Drive-In is another great option for Western Kentuckians. Located in Franklin, KY near the Tennessee border, it is a 30 minute drive from Bowling Green. It’s been family owned since 1969, and has double features every Thursday-Sunday. They also offer special Cruise-In nights periodically, as pictured below! Head here to check out their Facebook page for up-to-date information about showtimes.
Calvert Drive-In is open nightly in Western Kentucky. It is a 25 minute drive from Paducah, and located close to Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley. They have a very up-to-date Facebook page (find that here) including movie bookings, special events, and even length of line updates! To make a complete weekend trip, grab milkshakes at Belew’s Dairy Bar while you’re in the area!
