Here’s Where Seacoast New Hampshire Residents Want to Put a Drive-In Movie Theater

Editor's note: This article was written by a Townsquare Media Northern New England contributor and may contain the individual's views, opinions, or personal experiences.

Perhaps The Beach Boys said it best:

Every time I have a date there's only one place to go

That's to the drive in

It's such a groovy place to talk and maybe watch a show

Down at the drive in

Alas, that was nearly 60 years ago. And in 2023, there are no drive-ins on the New Hampshire Seacoast. So, I asked readers: where would you put a drive-thru on the New Hampshire Seacoast?

A reader named Steve suggested some place on Route 125 between Plaistow and Epping. A good suggestion, not just because of some of the roadside space that could support a drive-in, but also due to the success of Epping’s O’Neill Cinemas.

Sean wrote in to suggest Pease International Tradeport (to us natives, “the old Base”). Another strong suggestion, given the lay of the land. But, would that create too much traffic (or are the quiet roads an indicator perhaps there’s not enough traffic)?

Chris suggests a stretch of land on the North Hampton/Rye border that used to house the Sleepy Hollow Motel on Route 1. This seemed to be the suggestion that hit hardest, as that space has been just that – space – since the Sleepy Hollow went up in flames (do I get points for remembering the Sleepy Hollow Motel? Did you get tested after going there)?

Carly went over the border to Maine and noted that the Route 1 entrance to York’s Wild Animal Kingdom has a good amount of land that has gone unused. I mean, after a day of observing animals during mating season…

A common response: Newington. The reasoning: there's plenty of land (some jokers even think Newington's not really a town), and it's right off Route 16. But as Johnny C from Exeter points out, there once was a drive-in across from where Walmart sits today.

Maybe it's time for a sequel?