shankweiler's drive in theatre

One of the few drive-ins left in the area. Movies are usually first run or second. Food is good. Prices good too.

Went here as part of a birthday present for my 11yo and his friend. Well-maintained family environment. Have designated parking areas for SUVs and cars (so you don’t have to park your Honda Civic behind someone’s F-250 – then climb on the roof to see the screen!). In addition to a reasonable admission price, they don’t gouge you at the snack stand either (wish I hadn’t eaten before hand as the pork BBQ smelled heavenly). Not too far off the Northeast extension of the PA Turnpike (15 minutes). Was easily reached from our hotel in the Jim Thorpe vicinity. As noted by other reviewers, the sound and picture quality were excellent! My son and his buddy will remember our evening there forever.

What a joy for me as a drive in movie aficionado to finally get to step foot on these hallowed grounds. I have been wanting to get this one off of my bucket list for some time now, and I am so glad I did. I not only got to see the oldest drive in, but was given an exclusive tour of the nearby building now the home of a respectful funeral home. The director there was a joy to meet, and he gave me a brief history on the two sites which were all once owned by Mr. Shankweiler. The theatre was always used as intended but the building in question served quite a different purpose at one time, being the site of a hotel and restaurant adjacent to the drive in's parking lot. It may not be able to boast that a president slept there, but other dignitaries/celebs such a Jack Lemmon did. I have included a couple pictures for your viewing pleasure. Hope you too get to be one of the I am sure close to "Millions Served," as the saying goes, at the theatre, and visit this historic spot in drive in theatre history.

I remember the days when there seemed like there were as many (or more) drive-in theaters than indoor cinemas. We went here on a perfect summer night and saw a double feature for 1/2 of what we would have paid at our local theater. This place is well-maintained and wonderful. It is a charming part of Americana that doesn't deserve to be placed on the ash heap of history. Make sure you bring a larger radio or boom box to enhance your enjoyment of the movie(s). If you fondly remember drive-in's you've got to make it a point to make it here, if you can.

Friendly Staff. Well maintained and updated. Great surround sound transmission to FM radio. Digital projection. Lawn parking (cooler than black top). Food well above average for typical concession. Worthy to go to and enjoy. Will be back!

The title says it all. Drive in. I was able to watch a newly released double feature here and that is something you'll rarely see anywhere. Just tune your car radio to the FM Station suggested so you may here the movie. The Snack Bar is a little dirty but your not there for that. The price in is a great value. You can watch from your car or pull out a picnic chair, lean back and enjoy.

I grew up next to the Drive In and have many fond memories--the smell of popcorn popping and the music playing in the early evening. This was the essence of summer. It is still the same. It is a great place to take your kids. Come early and let them play with other kids and then sit inside your car or outside on lawn chairs and enjoy the movie while eating snacks from the snack bar. A great 60's treat for the family. This is the oldest working Drive In in the country. Don't miss it!

What a great night spreading out your blanket, sitting in your lawn chair and watching family friendly movies outside at the drive-in in the warm weather.

this drive-in has been around a long time.. I was married in sept of 1965 and we were always at the drive in..My husband I still go to Shankweilers drive in every summer, Times have changed but not much has changed except to improve a ew things.. Great place to take your family. Try it you'll like it !

Phenomenal time with the family! Myself, boyfriend, sister-in-law and three nephews, 4 years old, 6 years old and 14 years old, went to the Drive-In on Sunday. We arrived at 8:05pm when the first movie starts at 8:45pm. At this time it was definitely close to being packed, but you really can't have a bad spot in the place. The first movie that was scheduled was "Epic" at 8:45pm and then "The Croods" at 10:45pm. The kids absolutely loved it even though it was a little chilly. They have great options for food which are all very affordable. I would recommend coming here with the family and even couples, it will get even more enjoyable as it gets warmer out, can't wait to come again!

Oh my, fun night! Made me feel like a kid again! Have never had such an experience that warmed my heart and brought back such a young feeling inside me! It was a double feature. The first one was animated for the children, but we, as adults, loved it! The second movie was more for adults but still OK for kids. We didn't care what we were watching on screen, it just was wonderful being there! AND the food. It was traditional hotdogs, hamburgers, fries, popcorn, ice cream, etc. Really made you feel like you were 16 again and walking into the old drivein food shop! This is an awesome night out for all, families, dates, seniors....all ages would enjoy this!! Besides....parents if you want to impress your children, take them to a drivein movie. Most young people don't even know what this is! Let them eat as much junk food as they want....and laugh with them during a kid's movie. It will be a wonderful family memory! And a cheap night out!!

Nothing like a old fashion Drive in movie. I remember coming here as kids with cousins hid in the trunk because they couldn't pay to get in. I don't recommend this but as I come back to this place it brings back the memories of my youth. Go grab a pizza from your local shop and hit the Drive in with the kids.

Only in America can you go to a drive-in. It's a real American experience. This place has been around a long time but has been updated to take care of modern needs. Snack stand was fine and the sound and picture were good too. Fun experience.

This is a great place,,, clean , cheap & overall the way it should be , drive inns are rare , if you don't take your kids they will miss a part of history , when you could take your high school girlfriend out on a cheap date , hide your friends in the trunk to sneak in , I will never forget I use to tell my kids about drive inns when I was a kid and how when we where in high school we would hide in the car to sneak in and it was fun , well I found Shankweilers so I got my 2 young daughters 4 & 12 and decided to take them to the drive inn well my 4 year old wanted to hide ( 4 year olds are free ) so I said OK , so she hid under a blanket , just as I drove up to the ticket booth and started to pay my 4 year old screamed , " can he see me dad , can he ". , the guy laughed , my wife almost wet her pants , it was so funny ,,, that was 15 years ago , I'm divorced now and the kids are grown now , but they always bring that up and we laugh about it ...... And that's why you should go ........

If you are looking for good old fashioned drive in, this is it! It is actually America's oldest operating drive in! The snack bar is also great and cheap!!! you are also welcome to bring in your own food , so go early for a picnic before the show!