This Route 66 Drive-In Movie Theater in Missouri Is the Ultimate Nostalgic Summer Activity

If you are like me, you might have memories of being curled up in the back of the wood-paneled family station wagon to watch a movie like E.T. on a giant screen under the open skies. The 66 Drive-In Theatre in Carthage, Missouri, offers nostalgia in more ways than one. It will bring back memories of your childhood, while offering a cool connection to historic Route 66. First opened in 1949, the theater is on the National Register of Historic Places. While it is a relic of the past, this is a place where Americana lives and breathes.

Imagine motoring west on Route 66 during the heydays of the Mother Road. As evening approaches and you tire of driving, you suddenly see a gigantic A-frame billboard advertising the 66 Drive-In in the charming small town of Carthage. You pull in for a show, watching the Missouri skies turn from brilliant hues to indigo blue, as the double feature begins. Tinny speakers beam the soundtrack to your automobile. This was the perfect way to unwind before driving to the motor court.

Today, not much has changed at 66 Drive-In other than the technology and the addition of a new building. The theater closed in 1985, as VCRs and cable TV lured movie lovers away from big screens and the decommissioning of Route 66 reduced traffic in the region. However, by 1998, nostalgia for both Route 66 and drive-ins was stirring, and the 66 Drive-In was renovated and reopened. Although it has been updated, all the important nostalgic elements remain in place.

The 66 Drive-In Theatre has once again become a popular spot to take in a double feature, with shows offered on Thursday through Sunday nights from April to September. Even the prices are nostalgic, at $10 for adults and $5 for kids. Where else can a family of four have a full night of fun for $30? Always check ahead of time for current show days, times, prices, and more before heading to the theatre.

Between the flicks, a retro intermission cartoon advertises the concession stand's wares and evokes memories of trotting across the drive-in lot to buy candy with quarters jingling in your pocket. As a child, I remember the precious freedom of going from the concession stand to the playground under the big screen. At the 66 Drive-In, this tradition continues. Parents can relax and enjoy the film while their kids play like it's 1979.

The 66 Drive-In isn't the only nostalgic location in Carthage. Take time to appreciate the town’s Route 66 history with a stay at the Boots Court Motel. This retro motel is a decade older than the 66 Drive-In and has been restored to its former glory. Then, consider setting out on a Route 66 mini Missouri road trip to Gary’s Gay Parita, a roadside stop packed with history, featuring a replica of a Mother Road Sinclair station and tons of iconic Route 66 memorabilia. 

Whether you’re a Missouri local or on an ultimate Route 66 road trip, make sure to spend a weekend night under the stars watching the stars on the 66 Drive-In’s big screen. Grab a hot dog, watch the fireflies dance in the fields, and transport yourself back in time to your childhood—or even further to the glory days on Route 66. With just a few hundred drive-ins left in the United States, this kind of fun is a rare find. Skip the streaming this summer, and enjoy some movie magic in a truly nostalgic way.