This Retro Road Trip Through Arizona Leads To Diners, Soda Fountains, Drive-In Movie Theaters, And More
By Katie Lawrence|Published June 17, 2022
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Katie Lawrence
Author
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and changed her major twice (psychology, computer science, and finally criminal justice) before taking a leap of faith and dropping out to pursue a career in freelance writing.
Today, Katie writes for the Texas and Arizona pages of OnlyInYourState.com and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on the sofa with a hot cup of coffee, watching a crime TV show or scary movie.
Let’s face it: life is hard. Especially in the modern era! If you often find yourself wishing for simpler times, this road trip is for you. In the span of just 14 miles, you’ll visit some of the best retro places in Arizona, including an old-school bowling alley, soda fountain, drive-in movie theater, and more. Even if you weren’t yet born in the 50s, we’ve all felt nostalgic for the iconic decade at one point or another, and this trip lets you live (or relive) its magic.
Try your best to bowl a perfect 300, then chow down on some fried chicken and sip a tall glass of bubbly. It's the perfect way to spend a night on the town! Learn more on the Châm Pang Lanes website.
The menu features classic greasy spoon eats like banana splits, floats, and egg creams, and the diner also serves as an antique store. Learn more on the MacAlpine's Diner & Soda Fountain website.
We're capping off this retro road trip in the best way possible: with a drive-in movie. The last-remaining drive-in theater in Arizona, West Wind is a swap meet by day and an old-fashioned cinema by night. Showings include a mixture of first-run movies and classic films, and there's a snack bar where you can load up on popcorn, candy, soft drinks, and more. Learn more on the West Wind Drive-In website.
Would you take this road trip to the best retro places in Arizona? Tell us your thoughts in the comments! Don’t forget to check out our previous article for another old-fashioned ice cream shop that harkens back to the 1950s.
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