1

Stars & Stripes Drive-In, Texas

Image: Josh Sanabria

The first entry on our list is a drive-in located in New Braunfels, Texas , that brings a breath of fresh air to the industry, having opened its doors as recently as 2003. It features three screens, all of which play double features on weekends, as well as a ’ 50s-themed café snack bar with an extensive menu, serving everything from Frito Pie and Funnel Cakes to Mexican sandwiches and box dinners, such as steak fingers served with fries, corn fritters, and gravy.

2

Shankweiler’s Drive-In Theatre, Pennsylvania

Image: David Clode

The oldest operating drive-in theater in the country, Shankweiler’s opened in 1934 in Orefield and operates year-round—even in those tough Pennsylvania winters. The theater shows double features on weekends, has a decent snack bar, and even offers visitors two drive-up party rental spaces , each of which holds about 15 people, in case you were wondering if such a thing was possible.

3

Harvest Moon Twin Drive-In Theatre, Illinois

Image: Tim Mossholder

Don’t let its 70 years of existence fool you, the Harvest Moon Twin Drive-In has one of the most modern and environmentally friendly features you could possibly find in an establishment of this kind: it is the country’s only wind-powered drive-in theater. The wind turbines power the theater’s screens, speakers, projectors, and snack bars. Additionally, the venue uses LED lighting and encourages recycling among its visitors.

It’s not often that one sees such a commitment to future generations from an establishment as old as this one!

4

Fairlee Motel, Vermont

Image: Manuell Tony

Imagine going to the movies and being able to sleep right there if you are too tired. That’s exactly what the Fairlee offers. A combination drive-in and motel, this venue lets you watch a show and then stay overnight. The theater and the roadside motel have both been open since 1950.

The snack bar comes especially recommended by locals for its burgers made with beef raised on the property owners’ farm.

5

Park Place Drive-In Theater, Virginia

Image: Pixabay

If you’re in Marion, Virginia , and have a craving for a round of mini-golf, the Park Place Drive-In is a sure bet. This one-stop shop for family entertainment offers not only a night out at the movies but also access to an ice cream shop and a mini-golf course . Play 18 holes of putt-putt, grab a scoop or two of Hershey’s Ice Cream, and then head over to the theater for a movie.

6

Rubidoux Drive-In, California

Image: RDNE Stock project

If a 1948 Art Deco-themed screen wasn’t appealing enough, the Rubidoux Drive-In also featured a petting zoo and a miniature railroad , among other family-oriented attractions. Alas, those two features have closed for the time being. Still, the drive-in theater offers plenty of amenities for families to enjoy on their visits.

The theater features two additional screens, aside from the Art Deco one, each of which plays double features on weekends.

7

Bengies Drive-In Theatre, Maryland

Image: Jeremy Yap

If you’ve ever wondered how big the biggest drive-in cinema screen in the country is, this one takes the prize. Bengies Drive-In has a screen that measures 52 by 120 feet, making it the largest in the United States.

This is an important feature, not just because of the cool factor, but also because it means movies can be shown at their full theatrical size, allowing viewers to see all the details in the corners of the screen, just as the filmmakers intended.

8

Wellfleet Drive-In, Massachusetts

Image: Maxim Benkendorf

A flea market, an 18-hole mini golf course, a cocktail bar, and the biggest screen in the New England area await you at Cape Cod’s Wellfleet, a local institution that has been entertaining moviegoers since 1957.

In recent years, the projection system was upgraded to digital with Dolby Digital sound, making the experience even more enjoyable for moviegoers.

9

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, Texas

Image: Noom Peerapong

This one is special, even among drive-in theaters. Alamo Drafthouse offers a unique screening of the classic thriller Jaws , where moviegoers watch the film from inner tubes on Lake Travis . This annual tradition provides a creative and immersive way to rewatch this iconic movie from a truly unique perspective. Would you dare to try it?

10

The Mahoning Drive-In Theater, Pennsylvania

Image: Christian Wiediger

Embracing the idea that drive-in theaters are a nostalgic experience, the Mahoning dedicates its three screens to weekend-long themed festivals . For example, Zombie Fest takes place over three nights and screens cult horror films, with overnight camping allowed.

Second Chance Weekend features critically panned films that deserve a closer look, such as a pairing of Howard the Duck with Masters of the Universe . Last but not least, Bite Night showcases 35mm prints of Jaws and Jurassic Park , and in July, the theater celebrates Christmas in July with holiday films.

1

July 2nd

In a letter to his wife Abigail, John Adams predicted that July 2nd would go down in history. Why? Well, because that's the day in 1776 when the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence from Great Britain. But while the vote happened on the 2nd, the text of the Declaration of Independence wasn't approved until the 4th, so that's the date we celebrate.

2

Secret signers

The signing of the Declaration of Independence wasn't as simple as it might seem. In fact, signatures were added over time, from July to August. In addition, the names of the signers were kept secret from the public for six months. Why? Because if the fight for independence had failed, those who signed the document would have been labeled traitors, and under British law, that meant a punishment of death.

3

Washington invites

In the middle of the Revolutionary War, 1778 marked the second anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. As Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, George Washington wasn't about to let the anniversary go unnoticed, so he ordered a double ration of rum for his soldiers to celebrate the holiday.

4

Something written on the back

There's actually something written on the back of the Declaration of Independence. This handwritten note appears upside down at the bottom of the back of the parchment, and it reads: "Original Declaration of Independence dated 4th July 1776." Just like we label the files we save on our computers today, it's believed they added the note to help identify the original document from other copies.

5

We are many more now

Many courageous people did everything they could to make the Independence dream a reality and help the nation grow. And it did grow. While there's no exact official data from that time, the US Census Bureau estimates that about 2.5 million people lived in America in 1776. By the most recent census in 2020, that number had grown to about 332 million.

6

John Adams' idea

It's hard to imagine the 4th of July without the classic barbecues, parades, and -of course- fireworks lighting up the sky. But even though these traditions are now staples, there was a first time for all of them. It's said that John Adams himself, in that letter to his wife Abigail, suggested using fireworks and illuminations to celebrate this important day.

7

Busy hospitals

While fireworks are beautiful and help raise patriotic spirit during Independence Day celebrations, it's also true that they can sometimes be dangerous. In fact, it's been reported that hospitals see more patients than usual on July 4th due to fireworks-related injuries.

8

Thomas Jefferson's laptop

Of course, laptops didn't exist at the time of the drafting and signing of the Declaration of Independence, but that's a fun way to describe the lap desk Thomas Jefferson used to write it. That's right: The father of the Declaration of Independence didn't need a grand marble desk or anything fancy to put his ideas into words.

9

Surprising coincidences

The 4th of July isn't just the day America officially declared its independence; it also holds some incredible historical coincidences. On Independence Day in 1826, both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died, exactly 50 years after the birth of the nation they helped create. Five years later, in 1831, James Monroe became the third president to die on the 4th of July.

But it's not all about endings: President Calvin Coolidge was born on the 4th of July, 1872, making him the only US president born on Independence Day.

10

Millions of hot dogs

It's clear we Americans love hot dogs, and for good reason. This iconic food is closely tied to one of the most important days in our nation's history. According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council (yes, that's a real thing), Americans typically eat around 150 million hot dogs on Independence Day alone.

1

Ancient origins

Image: Ameer Basheer

The Grand Canyon isn’t just old—it’s millions of years older than previously thought. Some rock layers at the bottom date back 1.8 billion years, nearly half the age of Earth itself. While the canyon itself is around 5 to 6 million years old, recent studies suggest parts of it began forming 70 million years ago—during the dinosaur era.

2

Once an ocean floor

Image: Yannis Papanastasopoulos

Long before it was a canyon, this region sat beneath an ancient sea. The Kaibab Limestone, the canyon’s top layer, formed from marine fossils left behind as the waters receded 270 million years ago. The presence of coral, shellfish, and even shark fossils proves the area was once home to a thriving ocean ecosystem.

3

Carved by more than water

Image: Wolfgang Hasselmann

While the Colorado River played a huge role in shaping the canyon, other forces were at work. Volcanic activity, tectonic uplift, and even landslides helped carve out its immense depths. Lava flows from nearby volcanoes poured into the canyon, creating layers of rock that tell the story of violent geological change.

4

The earliest human inhabitants

Image: Russ McCabe

Humans have lived near the Grand Canyon for at least 12,000 years. The earliest known inhabitants were Paleo-Indians, who left behind stone tools and spear points. Later, the Ancestral Puebloans built cliff dwellings and left behind intricate pottery, proving that this seemingly inhospitable land was once home to thriving communities.

5

First European encounter

Image: Antoine Vidal de La Blache

Spanish explorer García López de Cárdenas was the first European to lay eyes on the canyon in 1540. Sent by Francisco Vázquez de Coronado in search of legendary cities of gold, he and his men were shocked by its vastness. They tried to climb down for water but failed, unable to comprehend its sheer scale.

6

Named a national monument

Image: Benjamin Cutting

President Theodore Roosevelt designated the Grand Canyon a national monument in 1908, calling it a place "every American should see." He was instrumental in protecting it from commercial exploitation, setting the stage for its eventual National Park status in 1919.

7

Hidden caves

Image: Russ McCabe

The Grand Canyon contains over 1,000 caves, but fewer than 400 have been explored. Some remain completely untouched, preserving prehistoric fossils and evidence of ancient human life. Today, only one cave is open to the public—Grand Canyon Caverns, located nearby in Arizona.

8

Phantom ranch

Image: Annie Spratt

Built in the 1920s, Phantom Ranch remains one of the most isolated lodges in America. Located at the bottom of the canyon, it’s only accessible by hiking, mule ride, or rafting. Due to high demand, reservations are awarded through a lottery system.

9

America’s first canyon explorer

Image: Alex Moliski

John Wesley Powell led the first recorded expedition through the Grand Canyon in 1869. With one arm lost in the Civil War, he braved the Colorado River’s treacherous rapids in wooden boats. His journey mapped the canyon’s uncharted territory, proving it wasn’t an impassable wasteland but a geological treasure trove.

10

Forgotten civilizations?

Image: Otacilio Maia

In the 1930s, explorer Emery Kolb uncovered a sealed cave in the canyon containing ancient artifacts and human remains. Some speculated it belonged to a lost civilization, but archaeologists determined it was a prehistoric Native American site. The canyon still holds thousands of undiscovered archaeological sites, adding to its mystery and historical significance.