Drive-In Theaters In and Around Minnesota

Drive-In Theaters are an affordable summer outing any year, but in 2020, they are a particularly good options, with movies in the parks cancelling and theaters re-opening at 25% capacity. A family can hit a drive-in theater and still maintain social distance. While admission is comparable to indoor theaters, our local drive-ins encourage tailgating and allow outside food.

According to one article, there were over 4000 drive in theaters in the U.S. in the 1950s and now there are only 321. So, the fact that there are 2 in the Twin Cities area and 5 more that we would seriously consider a road-trip to visit, we are well-represented in Minnesota.

Two Twin Cities Drive-In Theaters

Vali-Hi Drive-In

Box Office Opens:

Admission:

Important to know:

• Cash only, ATM on-site
• Regulars recommend arriving early to get a spot. Maybe even an hour before the box office opens. They sometimes sell out. Once it is full, you are out of luck.
• During the summer of 2020, the site is only filling to 50% capacity.
• The wait to get in can be long (sometimes a couple hours). You may want to remind the littles to go before leaving, restrict liquids until you are in and/or have a potty plan.
• However, sometimes families with small children leave after the first movie. If there is room tickets will continue to be sold through the night.
• Outside food and grills are allowed. Regulars also recommend bringing a grill or a picnic and making it “dinner and a movie”.
• However hot dogs are only $1.00.
• Tune your radio to 90.1 FM or 530 AM (stations are posted onscreen before the first movie) or park by the speakers.
• Shows 2 movies every night
• Movies play rain or (moon) shine.
• Dogs are allowed on leash. I’m not sure about Porcine Wonders, but I’d give it a try – just be sure to get popcorn with a great deal of butter if you do. And let us know how it goes.

Elko Speedway & Drive-in Theater

26350 France Ave, Elko New Market, MN 55020

Open Thursdays-Saturdays during the season
What’s Showing at Elko Drive-In Today?

Box Office Opens:

Gates open at 8 pm

Tickets on sale at 9:00 pm

Showings start 20 minutes after last race

Admission:

$10/person, ages 12+

$4/person, ages 4-12

Free/ages 3 and under
Tickets for the races are sold separately.

Important to know:

• Cash or Credit Card only
• Regulars suggest arriving early to get a spot on “Eve of Destruction” and 4th of July Nights, but otherwise, they do not sell out often. They tell us that the parking lot tends to clear out after the races, making it easier to get a spot later.
• However, in 2020, they will be operating at 50% capacity.
• Guests are welcome to tailgate, picnic and BBQ in the parking area (no carry-in alcohol)
• There are limited concessions
• Tune in to 89.1
• 1 movie is shown each night
• Movies play rain or (moon) shine
• No Pets allowed. They’re not our crowd.

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Road Trippin’ to a Drive In Theater

Superior 71 Drive in