A couple of weekends ago, my wife and I (along with our dog) made the “short” drive over to Lakeland for an evening at the Silver Moon Drive-In theater. Being the closest drive-in to Orlando (at 52.6 miles), the Silver Moon plays double-features on both of their screens seven days a week. They even do a triple-feature on Friday and Saturday nights, although the third movie is simply a replay of the night’s opening film.
Like most drive-ins these days, the Silver Moon broadcasts the film’s audio over an FM station so you can tune in from your vehicle. They also have the old-school speakers set up in the last few rows for those who want to sit outside and enjoy the evening air. I reccommend using your car’s audio, though, since the quality is significantly better (a small stereo/walkman with good speakers/headphones is another good option).
If you get hungry during the movie, the snack bar is just a few steps away. The options are limited to hot dogs, pizza, popcorn, nachos, candy and soda, so you might want to sneak some of your own treats in if you’re looking for something healthy. The next time we go, I’ll plan a quick dinner in Lakeland followed by drinks and popcorn at the theater.
To get to the Silver Moon Drive In from Orlando, follow these directions. US 92 in Lakeland is the most confusing stretch of road in the world, so print out a map and keep your eyes on the road. A good landmark to look for is the giant Publix birthday cake that stands tall over the grocery store’s headquarters.
For complete information, including the movies currently being shown, check out the Silver Moon Drive In website.
