News Summary
The Highway 21 Drive In in Beaufort, South Carolina, offers an affordable and enjoyable movie night for families, showcasing double features and a range of food options. With military and senior discounts, it caters to all budgets and allows patrons to enjoy movies from their cars or lawn chairs. The drive-in, the only active theater in Beaufort, continues to thrive despite the national decline of drive-ins, and plans for expansion signal its commitment to providing diverse entertainment for the community.
Beaufort, South Carolina – The Highway 21 Drive In, located at 55 Parker Drive in Beaufort, continues to provide a family-friendly movie experience for residents and visitors alike. Open several nights a week year-round, this drive-in theater features the largest movie screens in the Lowcountry and offers attendees double features every night for the price of one ticket.
Admission prices are set affordably, with adult tickets priced at $11 and children’s tickets (ages 5 to 12) available for $6. Children under 4 can enjoy free admission, while military personnel and seniors benefit from a discounted ticket price of $9. This pricing structure aims to accommodate families, allowing for an enjoyable outing without breaking their budget.
The Highway 21 Drive In is unique not only for its extensive movie offerings but also for its additional amenities. A playground is available for children to enjoy before the show, while the top-notch concession stand provides a variety of food options. Moviegoers can indulge in burgers, fries, hot dogs, cheese steaks, nachos, popcorn, funnel cakes, soft pretzels, root beer floats, ice cream, sodas, and traditional movie theater candy.
Patrons have the flexibility to choose their viewing experience: they can stay in their cars, sit in lawn chairs outside, or enjoy a tailgate-style setup with friends and family. The audio for the films is easily accessible via car radio frequencies, enhancing the convenience of the experience.
The Highway 21 Drive In stands out as a rare gem, especially considering the broader trend of declining drive-in theaters across the United States. From over 2,400 drive-ins in 1980, the number has steadily decreased to just 348 as of March 2019. The Highway 21 Drive In remains crucial for Beaufort, as it is the only active movie theater in the area following the closure of the Plaza Stadium Theater in 2018.
Operated by Jake Higgins, who is both a business owner and a South Carolina Highway Patrolman, the drive-in has undergone improvements since its opening. Future plans include the installation of a third screen, which would allow for an expanded selection of features. This initiative reflects a commitment to providing diverse entertainment options for the local community.
The nostalgic charm of the Highway 21 Drive In resonates with many, especially for those who recall a time when movie nights typically took place under the stars. This experience contrasts starkly with the rise of streaming services that have transformed movie-watching habits in recent years. Families in Beaufort enjoy the unique atmosphere and the sense of community fostered by drive-ins, making it a popular destination for creating shared memories.
Overall, the Highway 21 Drive In serves as a vital part of Beaufort’s entertainment landscape, offering an affordable and memorable night out for families and friends. With its combination of quality movie experiences and a welcoming environment, the drive-in continues to thrive as a cherished local institution.
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Additional Resources
- Explore Beaufort: Highway 21 Drive In
- Lonely Planet: America’s Best Drive-Ins
- Island Packet: Drive-Ins in South Carolina
- Post and Courier: Drive-In Movie Theaters
- Your Island News: Highway 21 Drive In Changes Hands
- Wikipedia: Drive-in Theatre
- Google Search: Highway 21 Drive In Beaufort
- Google Scholar: Drive-In Theaters
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Drive-In Theater
- Google News: Drive-In Theaters South Carolina
Author: STAFF HERE BEAUFORT
The HERE Beaufort Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Beaufort community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background: Local Roots in Beaufort : Our team includes lifelong Beaufort residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sale of the historic Crofts Block Building, Beaufort’s equestrian heritage, and growth in local tech and education sectors (e.g., BeaufortTechnical College programs). Collective Experience: With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality: Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
