Enjoying a Movie at Swan Drive-In in Blue Ridge
Take a step into the past with a night at a drive-in movie theater. Swan Drive-In Theatre, located in beautiful Blue Ridge, GA, allows visitors to experience the nostalgia and fun of seeing first-run movies from the comfort of their vehicle.
This is a family-friendly activity that is perfect for a low-key, relaxing night after spending your vacation exploring the mountains of North Georgia. Only a short drive from your cabin rental, an evening at the drive-in is the perfect compliment to your Blue Ridge vacation.
If you’ve never enjoyed a drive-in movie before, the Georgia mountains are the perfect place to give it a start!
About Swan Drive-In
Photo Credit: keri.hope via Instagram
Swan Drive-In is one of only four drive-in theaters still in operation in Georgia. Once the most popular way of seeing a movie, a drive-in is becoming a rarity, with only 310 theaters in the entire country. Swan Drive-In is keeping this fun tradition alive, allowing guests to experience this unique way of enjoying a film.
Swan Drive-In Theatre gets its name from the beautiful swans that one of the theater’s founders, WH Tilley, Jr., saw when he was stationed in England during WWII. The other founder, Jack Jones, Sr., liked that the name could easily fit on a neon sign. Thus, Swan Drive-In was born.
The theater opened in 1955 and has been a staple of the Blue Ridge community and Fannin County since. Guests simply park in front of the big screen, tune their car radio to 105.5 FM, and enjoy the movie from the comfort of their own car. If you prefer to sit under the stars and enjoy some fresh air, just lay a blanket out in the grass or bring some lawn chairs to relax in.
The admission price is $10 for adults, $5 for children between 4-11 years, and free for children three and under. The drive-in is a cash-only establishment and cannot accept credit or debit cards. There is no ATM on-site, so please be sure to bring cash with you.
Well-behaved and leashed pets are welcome at Swan Drive-In.
Movie Schedule
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Unlike some drive-ins that only play classic films, the historic Swan Drive-In plays first-run, current movies. This means you can see the movies you’ve been waiting for and modern films that your kids love while still getting to experience the nostalgic feel of a drive-in.
Swan Drive-In is open on weekends only, Friday through Sunday. The box office opens by 7 pm, and the movie begins at 8:30 pm. Head over to the Swan Drive-In website to see what film is showing.
You won’t find any double features here so be sure to arrive on time for the 8:30 show if you want to catch the film.
When to Visit
The Blue Ridge Mountains are stunning in every season, so it's always a great time to vacation here! No matter when you visit, an evening at Swan Drive-In is sure to be a fantastic time.
Since you can choose to sit inside or outside of your car, the weather has little impact on your ability to enjoy your night. On chilly autumn or winter days, bring a blanket and cuddle up in the car. On balmy spring and summer nights, sit under the stars and enjoy the cooling breeze.
The movies will play rain or shine, so if your outdoor plans were ruined by rain, you can still have a fantastic night at the drive-in! Just be sure to bring a raincoat or umbrella so you can still make trips to the concession stand and restroom.
Arrive early if you’d like to get a parking spot in the front row, allowing access to the picnic tables and lawn area.
What to Bring
A drive-in theater is already a pretty comfortable experience, but there are a few items to bring to take your night to the next level in comfort and convenience.
One of the best ways to make your movie night memorable is to create a bed to relax in. If you have a pickup truck, it is simple to line the truck bed with blankets and pillows. In an SUV or hatchback, simply open the back hatch, lay down the last row of seats, and create your bed there. Bring plenty of blankets, pillows, or even an air mattress to create the perfect cozy bed to curl up in.
Wear comfortable clothing and bring a jacket or sweatshirt along with you, even if the day is warm. Once the sun goes down, you might get a bit chilly! Long pants and sleeves have the added benefit of deterring mosquitos.
Bug spray and sunscreen are recommended. While the sun will go down shortly after you arrive, it could still be bright as you’re finding a place to park, setting up your bed, and grabbing snacks from the concession stand. In warm months, mosquitos might be a bother. Bug spray will ensure you stay comfortable all night.
Concessions
What’s a movie without popcorn? The concession stand at Swan Drive-In offers numerous tasty treats to snack on during your movie. You can expect to find popcorn, funnel cakes, deep-fried Oreos, hot dogs, corn dogs, nachos, french fries, soft pretzels, candy, and coke products. Kids and adults alike will be delighted by all the yummy options available.
Snacks to Pack
While Swan Drive-In has a fantastic concession stand with plenty of delicious food, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to bring along a water bottle and a few snacks, especially if you have children. Grilling is not allowed, but you’re welcome to bring a cooler with non-alcoholic beverages. Don’t forget to bring cash for the concession stand since Swan Drive-In is a cash-only establishment.
Pet-Friendly Supplies
If you’re bringing your furry family members, a bowl of water and some treats or kibble are a good idea. If your pup tends to get bored, a few toys or long-lasting chews will keep them distracted while you enjoy the film. A blanket or cooling mat might also be appreciated by Fido, especially on particularly hot or cold days.
Bonus Must-Have
If you are planning on a picnic outside of your car, you might appreciate bringing a portable radio to tune to the frequency the movie is playing on. Even without a radio, you will likely be able to hear the movie’s sound since all the cars around you will be playing it, but the radio helps if you want it to be a bit louder. Instead of sitting in the grass, bring old blankets that you don’t mind getting dirty or pack some foldable camp chairs.
Enjoy your Film with Fresh Mountain Air
There’s nothing quite like the nostalgia of a drive-in movie theater. Nowadays, they are a rarity, but the Swan Drive-In Theatre in Blue Ridge, Georgia, does an amazing job at keeping this tradition alive.
Make the short trip from your Blue Sky cabin rental in Blue Ridge for a blast from the past with an evening enjoying a movie at the Swan Drive-In Theatre, one of the only drive-ins remaining in the state of Georgia.
You can find the Swan Drive-In at 651 Summit St Blue Ridge, GA 30513