Summer is a great time for college students to do a bit of exploring and try new things. If you’re looking for your next adventure, I may have the perfect idea for you. 

Last week, I stumbled across an advertisement for a drive-in movie theater. Wait, these are still around? The drive-in, Boulevard Drive-In Theater, is located in Kansas City, Kansas. They were showing a double feature that weekend starting Friday and going through Sunday: “Solo: A Star Wars Story” at 9:10 p.m. and “Deadpool 2” at 11:25 p.m. What got me the most excited was that it was only $10/person and free for children 11 and under to see both movies. 

On Friday evening, my friends and I headed out for Kansas City. I didn’t know what to expect. We arrived, paid the woman at the pay booth, and found a parking spot. I read on Boulevard’s Facebook page that you should arrive early to get a good spot. The gates opened at 7:30 p.m., and, though my friends and I got there around 8:00 p.m., we got a decent spot. I looked around, and took it all in. The screen was huge – the biggest I’ve ever seen. Underneath the screen was a playground for children to play on. Some people brought lawn chairs, others sat in the beds of their trucks, and some stayed in their cars. My friends and I decided to stay in the car. The speakers were on a pole on each side of the car, so we had our windows rolled down. It was about 80 degrees outside, so it was a comfortable night. 

After a 10-minute intermission between movies, we began “Deadpool 2,” which didn’t end until 2 a.m. Though we didn’t get home until 3 a.m., it was a very pleasant overall experience and I’d go back again. I would love to go back on a Saturday or Sunday because they hold a “Swap ‘n’ Shop,” where venders can sell goods before the movies. If you haven’t yet been, Boulevard is showing the same two movies this weekend. It’s important to know that they only take cash, and that they show movies regardless of weather conditions. Having a truck with a bed looked most comfortable, but watching from the car was just fine. I only went with two other people, so if you go with more than that you might want to bring lawn chairs, so that everyone can see easily. 

Although it is a bit of a drive, if you and your friends split a couple gallons of gas, you can experience something unique for a great price. 

You can find more information here. 

Other drive in theaters to check out:

The MIDWAY Drive-In, Paola, KS 

Kanopolis Drive-In, Kanopolis, KS

I-70 Drive-In, Kansas City, MO