El Rancho Drive-In Theatre

About El Rancho Drive-In Theatre

El Rancho Drive-In Theatre has been a Mohawk Valley tradition since it opened on June 8, 1952, making it one of the oldest continuously operating drive-ins in New York. Located on Route 5 in Palatine Bridge — a small village in Montgomery County — the single-screen theater holds 400 cars and broadcasts its shows in stereo on 90.5 FM. Adult admission is $10, children 3–11 are $5, and kids 2 and under are free. Cash only. El Rancho is operated by the same family that runs Ozoner 29 Twin Drive-In in Broadalbin, giving drive-in enthusiasts two destinations within the greater Capital Region. Open April through October, El Rancho occupies a stretch of Route 5 that once was the main highway connecting Buffalo to Albany before the Thruway era — fitting that this classic drive-in still thrives along that historic corridor.

Good to know

Food

Concession stand on site.Outside food discouraged, $5 picnic permit required at the ticket booth.

Payment

Cash only

Season

Open April through October. Check Facebook for current schedule.

Capacity

About 400 cars

Opened

1952

• Snack bar
• Restrooms

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