Ontario has a drive-in movie theatre that lets you camp overnight
If you're looking for a fun and unique way to spend a summer evening, may we suggest a drive-in movie theatre under the stars? Even better, a certain local one in particular that you can actually camp at for the night?
Drive-ins offer a delightful and nostalgic night out, and are the ideal way to take in the latest flicks during the warmer months — because why be locked in a frigid, dark room when you could be outdoors?
Beyond the joys of getting to take a mini road trip, load up on cheap snacks, and create a cozy setup with blankets and pillows (in the comfort of your own vehicle, no less), one of the few remaining open-air theaters in the Toronto area offers an even more special experience: the ability to actually camp overnight after the show is over.
The Boonies Drive-In Theatre in Tilbury, Ontario, offers double features of the newest first-run feature films every night on its single screen, and has a '50s-style concession stand for food and drinks — including popcorn, slushies, cotton candy and washrooms, of course.
The concession stand.
At $25 per carload, it's a great deal. And, it only costs another $10 to camp for the night in your car or trailer.
Given that the theatre is about a three-hour drive from Toronto, this presents a great option for city-dwellers looking for a one-of-a-kind date night or overnight trip within Ontario, and who may be too sleepy by the end of the second movie to want to brave the drive home. As staff told us, "with the lateness of the second feature during summer, it just made sense for people with a long drive home."
A post to a local Facebook group in which one local camper raved about their Boonies experience.
The dual-purpose spot also presents a unique opportunity for those looking primarily for a campsite, who can get the added, unexpected perk of a movie or two. As the theatre's Hipcamp profile for its boondocking campsites — which are available year-round in more wooded, designated areas of the property — states:
"Located between two great lakes with a beautiful view and atmosphere. Come enjoy the big screen while you camp! Spend the day at the lakes and rest your feet at night over a blazing fire."
The theatre also happens to be near such charming attractions as the small beach town of Erieau, local farms with trail rides, and wilderness destinations like Wheatley Provincial Park, Point Peelee National Park and Rondeau Provincial Park, along with being nestled within Chatham-Kent, a municipality that more and more people from Toronto and elsewhere in the country are moving to.
You can even stop at sites like Long Point Provincial Park, Port Dover and other Lake Erie (and Lake St. Clair) locales, and the renowned Essex Pelee Island Coast wine region on the way to or from Tilbury, which itself is an adorable little community.
So, add the Boonies theatre in Tilbury, Ontario, to your summer bucket list for an unparalleled drive-in/camping experience. You can pre-book boondocking sites online under the name "Ziggy's Land" on Hipcamp.
