A Family of 4 Can Watch 2 Movies Under the Stars at This Wisconsin Drive-In for $30

Piling into the back of my parents' van with blankets, pillows, and friends. Creating a makeshift pillow fort nest with the back door wide open, we'd inhale hot buttered popcorn and settle in for four or five hours of movie magic. I'll never forget these memories of summer nights at the drive-in theater—they spurred my love of cinema and led me to study it in college. Although my home drive-in (sadly, now defunct) was only 30 minutes down the road, I loved vacation adventures to the Big Sky Twin Drive-In Theatre in Wisconsin Dells just as much.

Drive-ins were all the rage when they popped up all over the country in the 1950s, and the Big Sky was no exception. It emerged on the scene in 1953 and is now one of only eight operational drive-ins in Wisconsin. Big Sky and Skyway Drive-In in Door County are the oldest operating drive-ins in the state. Thankfully, this drive-in has survived while other vintage treasures in the Dells, like Storybook Gardens, haven't been so lucky.

What makes this spot particularly unique is that it has twin screens—one of only two twin-screen drive-ins in the Badger State. You have the option of seeing one pair of movies or another, often categorized by audience: one screen shows all-ages-friendly films, and the other is geared slightly older. For instance, one screen may show films like Superman and F1, while the other screens Jurassic World Rebirth and How to Train Your Dragon. This was always perfect for my young-adult self, who loved waxing nostalgic with kids' films in such a childhood-reminiscent setting.

Although drive-in theaters generally have that two-for-one movie deal on their side, Big Sky's extra screen gives it an even bigger advantage. While you can't switch to the other screen if you don't want to see one of your two movie options on the chosen screen, the $10 adult and $5 children's admission prices are still a bargain. Even staying for just one of the movies is less expensive than going to an indoor cinema.

My favorite thing about spending a summer evening at Big Sky is the comfort element. I love nothing more than throwing on a blanket as the temperatures dip or as sunburn chills set in. Since my least favorite part about traditional indoor movie theaters is the seats, drive-ins are an absolute dream. You can stand up when you need to, go to the bathroom without bothering an entire row of seated guests, and enjoy the majestic night sky in the background of what could be your new favorite film. Honestly? There's nothing better for a movie buff like me.

If the thought of being hungry for anything but popcorn or candy at a theatre for several hours worries you, fear not. Big Sky's concession stand has you covered. While many regular theaters' heartier food offerings, such as overpriced gas station hot dogs, leave much to be desired, the hype surrounding Big Sky's Mamaburger is well-deserved.

You can't go wrong with an intermission French fry break either, and I've been known to pop in for a hot coffee. Sometimes those two-and-a-half-hour runtimes get long after a big day at Mt. Olympus or toodling around in the Original Wisconsin Ducks. Luckily, Big Sky is only about 10 minutes outside of the Dells proper, so you won't have far to go when the night is over.

In the age of hyper-technology, I'm grateful that a nostalgic place like Big Sky still exists. Its history makes it a unique offering in the Dells and the Midwest at large, but its atmosphere is what will keep me coming back. Visit Big Sky Drive-In from mid-May through the end of September.