- Athens (Mercer County) West Virginia
Pipestem Drive-in: 304-384-7382
located on Route 20, 4 miles north of town
(in a tiny hamlet known locally as Speedway,
and adjacent to Pipestem State Park); 20 miles
north of Bluefield; 10 mi from exit 14 off I-77.
The youngest of West Virginia's remaining Drive-ins
was first lit-up in 1972 and remains lit weekends only
(May thru October). Double features are screened nitely
for up to 280 cars, with sound being provided exclusively
by traditional pole speakers. Admission: Friday/Saturday -
$4 adults; $1 for ages 4-10; and free under 4 years of age.
Sunday nites: all pasengers for 1 price .. $8 per carload.
Flea Market swap meet held here Sundays (6am-1pm).
- Beckley (Raleigh County) West Virginia
see: Skelton, WV
- Chester (Hancock County) West Virginia
Hilltop Drive-in: 304-387-1611
located south of Chester at the Junction of
State Route 8 & County Route 208
(10 minutes from the Ohio state line and
about 30 minutes SW of Pittsburgh, PA)
The Hilltop opened in 1950 and went dark while operated
by its second owner in 1984. It remained dark for 5 years
and was then purchased by its former projectionist in '89
who with his wife & daughter remain very committed to
keeping the old screen lit. They screen double features
each nite, 7 nites a week in peak season (Memorial Day
to Labor Day); and weekends only during spring and fall.
Audio for the movies' soundtrack is provided by local FM
(87.9) radio. Admission: $5 per person for ages 12 & up;
$2 for ages 7-11; free admission for ages 6 and under.
Flea Market swap meet held here Sundays (8am-3pm).
- Franklin (Pendleton County) West Virginia
Warner's Drive-in: 304-358-7610
located on Route 220 North
Warner's has been lit-up since 1953 and is presently open
seasonally, Memorial Day thru Labor Day on weekends only
(Friday & Saturday); screening a low-priced single feature.
They have a capacity for up to 200 cars and provide audio
for the movie's soundtrack exclusively via FM (91.3) radio.
Admission: $3.50 per person (12 & up); free if under age 12.
- Glen Dale (Marshall County) West Virginia
Glen Dale Drive-in: 304-845-2064
located on Route 2
One of West Virginia's oldest outdoor cinemas, the
Glen Dale opened at the onset of America's Drive-in
boom, back in 1948. They screen double features
seasonally, April thru September, and still have
traditional pole speakers in addition to AM & FM
radio sound. Flea Market here Sundays from 6am.
- Grafton (Taylor County) West Virginia
Grafton Drive-in: 304-265-1096
located on Route 119 (north of Route 50)
The Grafton opened in 1949 with a capacity for
250 cars and is one of the three West Virginia
Drive-ins that are still using traditional Drive-in
speakers exclusively to provide the audio for
the movies' soundtrack. They are screening
double features, seasonally, April - October.
- Meadow Bridge (Fayette County) West Virginia
Meadow Bridge Drive-in: 304-484-7878
located on Route 20
West Virginia's smallest Drive-in was built in 1953 ..
with a capacity for only 180 cars (and yet it features
the lowest admission price of any cinema in the state).
The Meadow Bridge is open seasonally, May thru Sept.,
on weekends only, screening double features on 1 ticket.
Audio for the movies' soundtrack is provided via FM radio
as well as traditional speakers. Admission: $2 per person.
- Moorefield (Hardy County) West Virginia
Moorefield Drive-in: GONE
formerly located on Fisher Keller Road ..
Now located out along the Lost Highway ..
(it was torn-down in '96 to widen the road).
- Mount Zion (Calhoun County) West Virginia
Mount Zion Drive-in: 304-354-9405
loacted on State Route 16
West Virginia's oldest remaining Drive-in was first
lit-up back in 1945 and the screen is being kept lit
(seasonally) presently by the 3rd generation of the
family that's owned it since 1979. They're screening
double features on weekends only, June - September.
Audio for the movies' soundtrack is provided with both
traditional Dr'in speakers and via local FM (91.5) radio
broadcast. The 85' w. screen here is huge - considering
their capacity for 200 cars. Meanwhile, the Mt. Zion's
snackbar is a destination in itself, quite popular as a
local drive-up restaurant (and is equipped with a pair
of billiard tables). Admission: $4 (free under 10 years).
- Parkersburg (Wood County) West Virginia
Jungle Drive-in: 304-464-4063
located on Route 2, six miles north of town
(1hr north of Charleston; 3 miles off I-77)
This classic Ozoner has hardly changed at all since it
first opened in 1952, and after almost half a century,
it is still owned and operated by the same family that
built it. The sense of retro continuity is amplified by
the fact that audio is still provided here exclusively
with nostalgic pole speakers - for up to 300 cars, and
the lingering presence of the traditional playground.
The Jungle is lit-up seasonally, April thru October, with
a double feature; 7 nites during peak season and while
school is out; open on weekends only in spring & fall.
Another tradition here which has remained a constant
down through the years: the double Jungle Boy burgers
at their snackbar! Admission: $6 per person; under 12 free.
- Pineville (Wyoming County) West Virginia
Pineville Drive-in: 304-732-7492
located on Route 10 North
The Pineville has a capacity for up to 260 cars and screens
double features, seasonally, between Memorial Day and
Labor Day, in addition to hosting a Flea Market (Thurs).
- Shinnston (Harrison County) West Virginia
Sunset Drive-in: 304-592-0405
located on Route 19, 3mi outside of town
(between Clarksburg and Shinnston)
The sole survivor of Harrison County's 5 Drive-ins
is also West Virginia's 2nd-oldest (built in 1947) ..
The property hosts a roadside cafe which is open
throughout the year - The Ellis Restaurant, and also
the seasonal Sunset Drive-in theatre with its 70' wide
screen and a capacity for up to 600 cars (April-Sept);
double features each nite. Audio: traditional speakers
as well as AM (530) radio. Admission: $5 per person 13+
$1 for children (ages 2-12). Restaurant: (closed Mondays)
open Tues-Thurs 7:30am-9pm; Fri/Sat 7:45am-10pm; Sun 7-7.
Flea Market held here Saturdays & Sundays 6am-1pm thru Oct.
Situated 4 miles from exit 121 - off I-79 ("Meadowbrook" exit).
- Skelton (Raleigh County) West Virginia
Moonlite Drive-in: GONE
Formerly located on the 19-21 Bypass (outer Beckley)
progress! .. it is now the site of a roadside junkyard.
- St. Albans (Kanawha County) West Virginia
Valley Drive-in: GONE
Formerly located at junction of Routes 35 & 60
(the site is now being used as a lumber yard).