Old metal speaker posts still stand in neat rows at this drive-in, but the movie sound now plays through your car radio. The owners even joke that FM is the way of the future.
Every show is a double feature of first-run films. That means two new movies in one night, with the stars overhead doing the mood lighting.
It’s a rare deal in a world of pricey movie nights.
I love that this spot sits in northeast Washington, far from big-city multiplexes. Families pull in with pickups full of pillows and camp chairs.
Grandparents get a dose of the good old days, and kids get a late night they’ll brag about.
So how has one screen kept glowing for more than seventy years? The answer involves made-to-order pizza, a newer screen, and a whole lot of nostalgia.
A Small-Town Screen Worth Driving North For
Head north of Spokane, keep going past the city lights, and you’ll reach Auto Vue Drive-In Theatre in Colville. It’s a seasonal outdoor cinema where your car becomes your private theater seat.
The setup is gloriously simple. You park, tune your radio, and watch a double feature on one big screen under the open sky.
Colville sits in the northeastern corner of Washington, surrounded by hills and quiet country roads. That rural setting is part of the charm, since there’s no mall parking garage or blinking arcade in sight.
Plenty of families make a real road trip out of it. Some fans have mentioned driving an hour from Deer Park, an hour and a half from home, or even two full hours to catch a show.
That kind of loyalty says a lot about a single-screen theater. People don’t drive that far for something ordinary, and the 4.7-star rating across more than 300 Google reviews backs that up.
For parents and grandparents hunting for an affordable night out, it checks a lot of boxes at once. Nobody needs special gear or skills, just a vehicle and a little patience for sunset.
Seventy-Plus Years Of Movie Nights In Colville
Back in 1953, the drive-in craze was sweeping across America. Auto Vue Drive-In Theatre opened its gates that year, and somehow it’s still lighting up the night in Colville.
Think about how much has changed since then. Movies went from film reels to digital, cars grew cup holders, and phones started fitting in pockets.
Yet the basic ritual has barely budged. You still roll in before dusk, find a spot, and wait for the sky to go dark enough for the show to start.
Many drive-ins across the country have closed over the decades. Some fans call this one the last of its kind in their region, which makes every season feel a little more precious.
The history shows up in small, visible ways too. Rows of old metal speaker posts still stand on the lot, quiet reminders of how folks heard movies decades ago.
One longtime fan has shared memories of coming here as a little girl with her grandma. Now she brings her own kids, which is about the sweetest proof of staying power you’ll find anywhere in Washington.
Two Brand-New Movies For The Price Of One Night Out
Double features are the house specialty here. Each night typically pairs two first-run films, so you’re watching current releases rather than dusty reruns.
That’s a pretty sweet setup for families. The first movie often suits younger viewers, and the little ones can doze off in the back seat if the second runs late.
Recent seasons have included big releases like the F1 movie, which one first-timer called a must-have experience. Watching roaring race cars while sitting in your own car feels fittingly meta.
Lineups change regularly, so it’s smart to check the theater’s Facebook page before heading out. That’s where showtimes and current films get posted for each weekend.
Getting two movies in one trip also makes the drive feel worth it. If you’re coming from Spokane or beyond, a double feature turns the evening into a proper event.
Bring a pillow for whoever falls asleep first. Somebody always does, and it’s usually the person who insisted they wanted to stay for both shows.
Tune In, Turn Up, And Mind Your Battery
FM radio carries the soundtrack at Auto Vue Drive-In Theatre. You simply tune your car stereo to the posted station and the movie plays through your own speakers.
The old window speakers have been retired. The owners have joked that they spent too much time repairing them, and that FM is the way of the future.
Sitting outside in camp chairs? No problem, because radios are available to rent on site for guests who leave the car.
A few smart tricks help too. Some moviegoers bring a big portable speaker, especially since HD radios can create a slight audio lag.
Battery life is the sneaky concern here. Running your radio through two full movies can drain a car battery, so plan ahead with a Bluetooth speaker or a portable radio.
A jump starter tucked in the trunk wouldn’t hurt either. Nobody wants the closing credits followed by an awkward search for jumper cables in a dark field.
Once the sound is sorted, the audio works well over the radio signal. Then it’s just you, your snacks, and a giant screen glowing against the night.
Truck Beds, Lawn Chairs, And That Wide-Open Lot
Pickup owners, this is your moment to shine. Plenty of folks back their trucks in and deck out the beds with blankets and pillows for a comfy nest.
Others pull up lawn chairs and sit right beside their vehicles. On a warm Washington summer night, open air beats a stuffy theater seat by a mile.
The lot offers lots of parking to choose from. A newer screen went up several years ago, giving the picture a fresh canvas.
One rule deserves attention before you unfold anything. The center area between the old metal speaker posts needs to stay clear, so set up chairs beside your car instead.
The owners have even floated the idea of a front section just for chairs and blankets. It’s a nice sign that they listen and keep tinkering with the experience.
Watch your step after dark, since ground squirrel holes dot the field. A small flashlight makes those trips to the snack bar much less of an adventure.
Hatchback drivers, consider your neighbors when you pop that trunk open. Parking a little thoughtfully keeps everyone’s view clear.
Made-To-Order Pizza Steals The Snack Bar Spotlight
Popcorn is a given at any drive-in, and it’s a crowd favorite here too. The real surprise is the pizza, which gets made to order at the concession stand.
Fans have praised that pizza as a highlight of the night. One handy tip floating around is to ask for light sauce if that’s your style.
Vegetarians aren’t left nibbling on plain popcorn either. The snack bar includes vegetarian options, which matters to the owner, who has been vegetarian for two decades.
Paying is easy because the stand takes cards. No need to dig through the glovebox for crumpled bills during intermission.
Now for the rule everyone should know. Outside food and beverages aren’t allowed, and there’s a sign posted at the entrance saying so.
That policy keeps the lights on, honestly. Concession sales help small drive-ins like this one survive season after season.
So skip the cooler and plan to eat at the show. A warm pizza on the dashboard while the opening credits roll sounds like a pretty solid dinner plan anyway.
Carload Pricing That Keeps Wallets Happy
Ticket math works differently at a drive-in. Admission is charged per carload, which means a minivan stuffed with cousins can be a seriously good deal.
Affordability comes up again and again among fans. Words like cheap, great prices, and great value pop up often when people describe their nights here.
Sundays are especially friendly to tight budgets. The theater has offered a discounted carload price on Sunday nights, though it’s smart to confirm current rates before you go.
Compare that with a regular cinema trip for a family of five. Between tickets, snacks, and parking, an indoor movie can cost a small fortune.
Here, one entry covers the whole vehicle and two movies. That’s a lot of entertainment for anyone stretching a paycheck through summer.
Even critics of the snack bar decor have praised the carload pricing. One fan thanked the owners for keeping the community entertained at a great price.
Prices can shift by season, so peek at the theater’s Facebook page for updates. Then gather the crew and fill every seatbelt you’ve got.
Friendly Faces And A Strong Retro Vibe
Friendly staff earns more mentions than almost anything else about this place. Helpful, welcoming, and totally awesome are the kinds of compliments that keep showing up.
That warmth goes a long way on a busy summer night. When someone kindly explains a rule instead of scolding, the whole evening stays relaxed.
Then there’s the vibe itself. One fan said it felt like traveling back to the 80s, while a married couple joked about feeling like teenagers again.
Nostalgia is the main course here, with the movies as the side dish. Rows of old speaker posts and a big screen against the sky do most of the time-travel work.
A couple in their sixties shared how much they loved seeing younger generations enjoying the drive-in. That mix of ages gives the lot a cozy, community feel.
No, it isn’t polished like a modern multiplex. Some folks wish the snack bar looked a bit more updated, and bathrooms have drawn mixed comments over the years.
Still, the charm lands for most people. A 4.7-star rating doesn’t happen by accident.
Grandparents, Toddlers, And Date Nights All Fit Here
Few outings work equally well for a toddler and a great-grandpa. Auto Vue Drive-In Theatre pulls it off because everyone stays comfy in their own seats.
Little kids can wear pajamas, wiggle, and chatter without shushing from strangers. If they fall asleep, they’re already buckled in for the ride home.
Grandparents get easy access too. There’s no long walk, no stairs, and no squinting at tiny seat numbers in a dark auditorium.
Couples love it for date nights as well. Sharing a pizza in the front seat while two movies play counts as romance in plenty of households.
Groups of friends often make it a gathering spot. Park side by side, pass the popcorn, and you’ve basically built a mini festival.
First-timers fit right in, since no experience is needed. One newcomer admitted her only drive-in reference was Danny and Sandy in Grease.
Families with sensory-sensitive kids may appreciate the setup too. Your car is a quiet, controlled bubble where volume stays exactly where you want it.
Know Before You Roll Up To The Gate
Mark your map for 444 Auto View Rd, Colville, WA 99114. It’s a country drive from Spokane, so fill the tank and queue up a road trip playlist.
Operations are seasonal, typically running in the warmer months. Washington weather calls the shots, so check the Facebook page for current showtimes before leaving home.
Shows start once the sky gets dark enough. Summer sunsets run late up north, which means double features can wrap up well past bedtime.
Pack a few small helpers for comfort. Bring blankets, camp chairs, a flashlight, and a portable radio or Bluetooth speaker.
Here’s a clever trick from a past moviegoer. Drape a towel over your gauge cluster so the dashboard glow doesn’t wash out the screen.
Learn how to switch off your headlights and running lights before arrival. Your neighbors will silently thank you.
Remember the no outside food rule and the clear center aisle. Watch for ground squirrel holes when walking, and you’re all set for a smooth evening.
Why This Old Screen Still Deserves Your Summer Night
Seventy-plus years is a long run for anything, let alone a single screen in a field. Auto Vue Drive-In Theatre has earned its spot on the Washington summer bucket list.
It hits the sweet spot that families crave. You get affordable carload pricing, two current movies, and a setting kids will remember long after the credits.
Sure, it has a few rough edges. The snack bar isn’t fancy, and the field has its share of squirrel holes.
Honestly, that’s part of the appeal. Nobody drives to a 1953 drive-in looking for sleek perfection.
What you’ll find instead is friendly staff, made-to-order pizza, and a sky full of stars above a glowing screen. Add a pickup bed full of pillows, and you’ve got summer in a nutshell.
I can’t imagine a better way to hand down a family tradition. The grandma-to-grandkid story here proves it keeps happening, one double feature at a time.
So check the schedule, load up the car, and point it toward Colville. The screen will be waiting once the sun dips behind those hills.
