Drive-In Movie Night Equals Affordable Family Fun

For some, drive-in theatres are a reminder of a more innocent time when Friday and Saturday nights meant cruising down to view the latest flick with a date or a carload of friends. These days...drive-in movies aren't just a thing of the past to many movie-goers who realize such places still exist. But there are still those who think the only choice for going out to the movies is a crowded...often very cold, movie theater where popcorn and drinks sometimes cost more than the movie. In today's economical crunch, most families can't afford such an entertainment expense.

But there is some relief in the nostalgia of the few drive-ins still going strong close to Fort Worth and Dallas; offering a way for families to see a movie (or two), often for less than twenty bucks a car load. Having undergone a revival-of-sorts, the outdoor big-screen is a classic concept, likely to be embraced for generations to come. Here are a few drive-ins still in operation around D/FW.

The Brazos Drive-In: 1800 W. Pearl Street in Granbury. Movie Hot-line: 817-573-1311, Theater Phone: 817-559-4473. Located about 40 miles west of Fort Worth, the Brazos Drive-In in historical Granbury has been open since 1952 and runs every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday...the months of April thru November; sometimes as early as March. For reasons of nostalgia alone, The Brazos is worth the drive of less than an hour through rolling hills and small country towns. Call ahead for show times, and to inquire about season opening or closing dates.

At The Brazos, an entire family can view a first run double-feature on Fri-Sat and a single-feature on Sunday, for just $13.00 a carload. You save even more money by bringing along your own food and drinks. However, because costs are so low, The Brazos welcomes you to take advantage of the many choices on the menu at their snack-bar restaurant.

Having enjoyed this drive-in many times with my kids, I can say it is a fun time that doesn't break the bank. Seeing folks cruise-up in their classic cars takes you back to the 50's. There's nothing like it! For the money...no indoor theater can compare to a drive-in movie. The Brazos offers all the makings of a memory; an experience you'll truly never forget.

The Galaxy Drive-In: At the opposite end of D/FW, about 30 miles south of Dallas at 5301 North I-45 in Ennis, sits Galaxy Drive-In Theatre, where a family can enjoy a first-run double-feature on any one of the theatre's four screens. The charge per person is $6 adults, $3 children 5-11, and free for kids under five-years-old. Open seven nights a week...rain or starry skies-closing only during the most inclement weather-Galaxy offers vintage nostalgia with 1950's retro metal speakers that clip right onto your car window, with clear...digital surround-sound through your FM dial.

Arrive early to enjoy the 18 hole, two-course putt-putt, where kids under three-years-old play for free and adults pay only $3 a game or 2 games for $4. The putt-putt course opens at 6:30 weekend nights year-round, or nightly through the summer months. Visit The Galaxy Drive-In Theatre online for more information on seasonal hours of operation, or call their hotline for recorded movie listings: 972-875-5505.

Fort 'Worth' Mentioning-

Dive-In Movies at NRH2O: Since there aren't a lot of drive-in movie theatres around Fort Worth and Dallas, I felt compelled to point out a new twist on an old classic: the Dive-In movie. Every Friday night thru the summer months, NRH2O Family Water Park, features a single-feature movie on a giant screen suspended across the wave pool. The movies begin at dusk and are a free addition to the regular admission price at the park. Located in the Fort Worth suburb of N Richland Hills at 9001 Boulevard 26, 76180; visit NRH2O online for movie listings and times. Phone the park at 817-427-6500 for more information on seasonal hours of operation.

Works Cited:

http://www.thebrazos.com

http://www.driveinmovie.com

http://www.galaxydriveintheatre.com

http://www.nrh2o.com/events.htm