Did you know RVA has a drive-in movie theater? Goochland Drive-In is located in Hadensville about 30 minutes outside Short Pump, Virginia. It's an easy trip on 64!
Open since 2009, Goochland Drive-In has been showing the newest blockbuster movies, classics movies on Retro Nights, and double features on Fridays and Saturdays in a family-friendly environment. Tickets cost between $18-$30 per vehicle, making it an affordable family outing in RVA. The Snack Bar has budget-friendly food and drink options, and there's plenty of space for children to run around and play. I really love this theater for Richmond families because it is not as expensive as a trip to modern movie theaters, and the environment is so unique - completely different than all the other movie theaters around Richmond, Virginia.
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How To Watch Movies at The Goochland Drive-in Theatre:
This locally-owned drive in theater has two viewing areas for movies: The Main Screen and The Grove.
The Main Screen is a traditional drive-in, where guests watch the movie from their car (inside or outside of it), and you need a FM radio for sound. This is also a pet-friendly viewing area -- leashed pets are welcome. This viewing area is closest to the large, children's play area, the snack bar, and restrooms.
The Grove is an outside theater with two viewing options: from your vehicle or from the lawn. If you choose to sit in the vehicle section, you will need a FM radio for sound. Leashed pets are allowed in the vehicle section. If you choose to sit in the lawn, you'll want to bring blanks and chairs. The lawn section has in-ground speakers, so you don't need a radio. This section is not pet-friendly. The bathrooms are located right by the vehicle viewing section.
Heads Up: The Main Screen and The Grove are two separate movies. You can't move between the two films. Below are images of The Grove.
The Snack Bar is located by The Main Screen, and the play area is directly infront of it. It has digitally ordering and only accepts card. You will find classic American fare and G/F and meat free options. There is also an ice cream stand - you order ice cream directly at this stand.
Goochland Drive-in's menu includes food and beverage such as: fountain drinks ($2-3), bottles of water ($2), hamburger ($4.75, GF $6.15), cheeseburger ($4.95), beyond burgerGF ($6.95), hot dog ($3), BBQ ($5.35), chicken nuggets ($5.15), tater tots ($3.25), nachos with ($4.90), soft pretzels (two cost $3.50), snow cone ($2.95), and popcorn (small $2.95 or large $4.90). Check here for more menu options at Goochland Drive-In Movie Theater.
Heads Up: No outside food or drinks are permitted. Exceptions are made for birthday cakes and baby food. This would be such a unique way to celebrate your child's birthday with family and friends.
This is an Alcohol and drug-free facility. Failure to observe will result in expulsion without refund.
Goochland Drive-in's Main Play Area: This gated play space is directly in front of The Snack Bar. Children can run around, play on see-saws, climb on the climbing dome or play on the playground. This play space closes during the movie, but it is open before the movie starts and during intermission. During our visit, this play area was filled with children. It's such a fun place for Richmond area families! See pictures of the main play area below.
Goochland Drive-in's The Gove also has a play space in front of the movie screen. It has a climbing structure, corn hole games, and more. See pictures of The Grove's play area below.
Upcoming Special Events at Goochland Drive-in Theater:
Goochland Drive-in Theatre hosts special movie events like the upcoming Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace 25th anniversary. To celebrate this movie event, there are 2 showings of Star Wars on Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4. Characters from Star Wars will be walking around the crowd before the movie for meet and greets! You could see Darth Vader and Storm Troopers!
Tickets to this special event cost $26 per vehicle (7 people) and gates open at 5:45pm with showtime at 8:05 pm.
To buy your tickets, visit Goochland Drive-in's website.
Here's what you need to know about visiting Goochland Drive-in:
The theater's address: 4344 Old Fredericksburg Rd, Hadensville, VA 23067.
The schedule is released 4-7 days before the showtime. Check here for the upcoming movie schedule.
Tickets go on sale the Monday before the showtime at 7pm.
Buy your tickets ahead of time on line. Tickets are not sold at the gate.
All shows are rain or shine events. This event is completely outside. While the snack bar has a covered overhang, all spaces are outside. If an announcement needed to be made, it would happen by 5pm the day of the show.
Gates typically open around 6/6:30 on movie nights with movies beginning around 8pm.
Gates close 20 minutes before showtime. Once gates close, no later entry is permitted.
If you don't have a portable FM radio, you can rent one. You can rent one at the kiosks for $5 and ID.
There are no picnic tables or chairs in The Snack Bar area. If you'd like to pack tail gating gear, you can set that up outside the truck of your car. Many people did this during our last visit.
If you're attended a double feature, there will be an intermission. It's okay to leave the theater at intermission.
Tips for Visiting Goochland Drive-in Theater with Kids:
Arrive early -- for many reasons, but for the kids especially: the playground! There is a playground, and your kiddo is definitely going to want to play in it. This play space closes when the movie starts, but it opens again during the intermission of the double feature.
Bring a baby carrier over a stroller. The parking lot is gravel - large gravel to be exact -- and it would be pretty difficult to push a stroller.
Dress your little kids in jammies! Movies start around 8pm, which could be past your little's bedtime. Wearing jammies makes it even easier if they fall asleep in the car!
Wear tennis shoes or play shoes. They're a multiple play spaces! You kiddo will most likely want to run around, climb and play.
Bring chairs, pillows, etc. Most people back into their parking space and pop their trunk open. You'll even find families enjoying it "tail gating style" with chairs, tables, blankets.
Bring a flashlight. Depending on where your parking spot is, it may be helpful to have a flashlight in case your kiddo needs to use the restroom during the movie. We keep them in our cars.
If you need to leave early, find an employee. Since the gates close before the showtime, you will need someone to unlock the gates for you. The staff is super helpful, and they know anything can happen with kids!
Important Car Notes when visiting Goochland Drive In Theater:
If you have a Toyota, Lexus, Subaru 2015 and newer: the factory radios receive FM signals a split second behind all other manufacturers. This causes an echo-effect.
If you have a Ford or Lincoln 2014 and newer: it can be difficult to keep the lights off while using the FM radio. All radios shut off automatically within 30 minutes.
If you are driving one of these vehicles to the drive-in, consider bringing a portable FM radio (no apps), or renting a portable FM radio from the kiosk for $5 and your ID.
*For more information, please visit Goochland Drive In's website.
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For more things to do with kids in Richmond and Virginia, follow me on @thewestendmom on Instagram!