Entry No. 66 — the New York City file — filed under: after-dark
Warwick Drive-In Theatre
A family-run triple-screen drive-in spread over 11 acres of farmland, showing first-run double features under the open sky since 1950. It runs seasonally from spring through October, with screenings most nights in summer. Tune the movie in over your car radio, or rent one of theirs for a few dollars, and work through a classic concession stand of hot dogs, burgers, and popcorn between features.
The story
Drive roughly 55 miles north of New York City into Orange County farmland and you'll hit 11 acres of open grass that have been hosting headlights and tailgates since 1950. The Warwick Drive-In never got paved over or replaced by multiplexes; it expanded into a triple-screen operation that shows first-run double features under the open Hudson Valley night sky.
What keeps the place anchored in real space is its low-tech rhythm: you park on the turf, point your hood at one of the three screens, and tune your dashboard to the assigned FM frequency. Appalachian Trail thru-hikers passing through the region even treat the field as a legendary detour. Between the first and second feature, everyone makes the trek to the classic concession counter for hot dogs, burgers, and popcorn before climbing back into lawn chairs or truck beds for the midnight half of the ticket.
What it's like
Arrive well before dusk to get your vehicle positioned on the grassy field and set up your lawn chairs before dark. Each screen plays two films back-to-back, so expect to be out late into the night. Bring a portable FM radio if you prefer not to run your car's accessory mode for four hours, or grab a rental at the concession building. Hudson Valley nights cool down quickly even in midsummer, so throw extra blankets in the trunk.
The move: Pack the car with blankets, catch a double feature under the stars on one of the three screens, and run the concession stand between movies.
📍 Before you go Open seasonally (roughly mid-March/April through October), nightly in summer; double features by screen. About 55 miles from NYC; bring an FM radio or rent one for $5.
- 📍 Warwick, NY (Hudson Valley)
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Low-key
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: 5 Warwick Turnpike, Warwick, NY 10990
Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- Ringwood Iron Plant Mine — Explore 18th-century iron mining grounds just eight miles south across the state border before driving up for a dusk double feature on the grass.
- Boston Mine — Pair an afternoon hike out to an abandoned 19th-century iron pit in Harriman State Park with an evening under the projection lights in Warwick.
- Storm King Art Center — Spend the afternoon wandering monumental outdoor sculptures across 500 acres of Hudson Valley field before moving to open-air monumental cinema.
Good to know
How do you hear the movie audio?
Audio broadcasts over localized FM radio frequencies. You tune in using your vehicle's stereo, bring a portable radio, or rent one on-site for $5.
Does a ticket cover both movies?
Yes. Every ticket gives you access to a double feature—two back-to-back movies playing on the screen you selected upon entry.
When is the Warwick Drive-In open during the year?
The theater operates seasonally, typically opening around mid-March or April and running through October, with nightly screenings held during peak summer.
What food options are available?
The venue operates a classic drive-in concession stand stocked with hot dogs, burgers, buttered popcorn, and traditional movie snacks.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · iloveny.com · cinematreasures.org
last checked: 2026-06-23