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HomeDrive-In TheatersSundowner Drive-In Theatre - Traverse City, MI

Sundowner Drive-In Theatre - Traverse City MI

Address: 292 US-31 South
City: Traverse City
State: MI
Zip: 49684
County: Grand Traverse
Open: 1980 (5-20-80)
Closed: (JUNE 1985)
Capacity:
Owner History: Sundowner (1985)
Number of visits to this page: 10725
General Information:

2 Screens

The drive-in opened either in the late 1970's or early 80's apparently. It was closed by 1986 so it didn't have that long of a run. As I travel up to that area alot, I usually check in on the place. From what I am reading there is hardly anything left. Even the original sign, which had been re-used for the marine dealer, is gone. And so it goes, another old drive-in disappears into the mists of time. Fortunately, I am here to remind everyone of where they were LOL.

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Info Updates:
5/16/2020 - Cole Maxson
As of 2020, not much remains at all. Neither the moonbeam light or the projection building/snack bar is there, and have been replaced by what I think is a warehouse or garage. The entirety of the southern lot has been replaced been built over. A good portion of the northern lot is still there, but no parking spots remain. The northern screen hasn't been there since either 2009 or 2010. From the satellite view, it appears as though there is a pile of scrap in the northern lot. I believe this could be either remnant of one of the screens or the old speaker poles. Sometime after 2011, the original signboard was replaced with a new one for Traverse Bay Marine. All that remains of the legacy of the theater is the road Sundowner Drive, and serves as access to Team Elmer's. A pretty sad legacy to the theater, it would've been an awesome experience, but it closed many years before I was born.
2/24/2004 - Seth Landon
This drive-in is the site of the old T.C. 250 snowmobile race. The drive ins and screens were placed in the pit area of the track. If you look closly you can see the outline of the old track.
1/6/2003 - WaterWinterWonderland
One of the screen, marquee and snack bar remain, although the lot is being excavated and it looks like what is left will be gone soon.
 Photos:40
Sundowner Drive-In Theatre - 2009
2009
Sundowner Drive-In Theatre - 2009
2009
Sundowner Drive-In Theatre - 2009
2009
Sundowner Drive-In Theatre - SUNDOWNER NAME VISIBLE ON SIGN
SUNDOWNER NAME VISIBLE ON SIGN
Sundowner Drive-In Theatre - MARQUEE NOW - PHOTO FROM WATER WINTER WONDERLAND
MARQUEE NOW - PHOTO FROM WATER WINTER WONDERLAND
Sundowner Drive-In Theatre - CONCESSION
CONCESSION
Sundowner Drive-In Theatre - CONCESSION - PHOTO FROM WATER WINTER WONDERLAND
CONCESSION - PHOTO FROM WATER WINTER WONDERLAND
Sundowner Drive-In Theatre - CONCESSION FROM SIDE - PHOTO FROM WATER WINTER WONDERLAND
CONCESSION FROM SIDE - PHOTO FROM WATER WINTER WONDERLAND
Sundowner Drive-In Theatre - CONCESSION AND MOONBEAM LIGHT
CONCESSION AND MOONBEAM LIGHT
Sundowner Drive-In Theatre - INSIDE OF CONCESSION - PHOTO FROM WATER WINTER WONDERLAND
INSIDE OF CONCESSION - PHOTO FROM WATER WINTER WONDERLAND
Sundowner Drive-In Theatre - INSIDE CONCESSION
INSIDE CONCESSION
Sundowner Drive-In Theatre - SUNDOWNER TICKET BOOTHS 1990S COURTESY OUTDOOR MOOVIES
SUNDOWNER TICKET BOOTHS 1990S COURTESY OUTDOOR MOOVIES
Sundowner Drive-In Theatre - SUNDOWNER TICKET BOOTHS 1990S COURTESY OUTDOOR MOOVIES
SUNDOWNER TICKET BOOTHS 1990S COURTESY OUTDOOR MOOVIES
Sundowner Drive-In Theatre - SUNDOWNER TICKET BOOTH 1990S COURTESY OUTDOOR MOOVIES
SUNDOWNER TICKET BOOTH 1990S COURTESY OUTDOOR MOOVIES
Sundowner Drive-In Theatre - JUNK INSIDE - PHOTO FROM WATER WINTER WONDERLAND
JUNK INSIDE - PHOTO FROM WATER WINTER WONDERLAND
Sundowner Drive-In Theatre - SNACK BAR NOW - PHOTO FROM WATER WINTER WONDERLAND
SNACK BAR NOW - PHOTO FROM WATER WINTER WONDERLAND
Sundowner Drive-In Theatre - PROJECTION
PROJECTION
Sundowner Drive-In Theatre - SCREEN SNACKBAR JUNE 2003
SCREEN SNACKBAR JUNE 2003
Sundowner Drive-In Theatre - SCREEN SNACKBAR JUNE 2003
SCREEN SNACKBAR JUNE 2003
Sundowner Drive-In Theatre - SNACKBAR JUNE 2003
SNACKBAR JUNE 2003
Sundowner Drive-In Theatre - SCREEN JUNE 2003
SCREEN JUNE 2003
Sundowner Drive-In Theatre - SPEAKER POLES JUNE 2003
SPEAKER POLES JUNE 2003
Sundowner Drive-In Theatre - SCREEN JUNE 2003
SCREEN JUNE 2003
Sundowner Drive-In Theatre - SCREEN JUNE 2003
SCREEN JUNE 2003
Sundowner Drive-In Theatre - SCREEN JUNE 2003
SCREEN JUNE 2003
Sundowner Drive-In Theatre - SCREEN AND MUD - PHOTO FROM WATER WINTER WONDERLAND
SCREEN AND MUD - PHOTO FROM WATER WINTER WONDERLAND
Sundowner Drive-In Theatre - REMAINING SCREEN
REMAINING SCREEN
Sundowner Drive-In Theatre - REAR OF SCREEN - PHOTO FROM WATER WINTER WONDERLAND
REAR OF SCREEN - PHOTO FROM WATER WINTER WONDERLAND
Sundowner Drive-In Theatre - SCREEN PARTS
SCREEN PARTS
Sundowner Drive-In Theatre - SUNDOWNER SCREEN FIELD 1990S COURTESY OUTDOOR MOOVIES
SUNDOWNER SCREEN FIELD 1990S COURTESY OUTDOOR MOOVIES
Sundowner Drive-In Theatre - SUNDOWNER SCREEN FIELD 1990S COURTESY OUTDOOR MOOVIES
SUNDOWNER SCREEN FIELD 1990S COURTESY OUTDOOR MOOVIES
Sundowner Drive-In Theatre - SUNDOWNER SCREEN FIELD 1990S COURTESY OUTDOOR MOOVIES
SUNDOWNER SCREEN FIELD 1990S COURTESY OUTDOOR MOOVIES
Sundowner Drive-In Theatre - SUNDOWNER SNACKBAR 1990S COURTESY OUTDOOR MOOVIES
SUNDOWNER SNACKBAR 1990S COURTESY OUTDOOR MOOVIES
Sundowner Drive-In Theatre - SCREEN NOW - PHOTO FROM WATER WINTER WONDERLAND
SCREEN NOW - PHOTO FROM WATER WINTER WONDERLAND
Sundowner Drive-In Theatre - SCREEN MAY 2008
SCREEN MAY 2008
Sundowner Drive-In Theatre - SIGN MAY 2008
SIGN MAY 2008
Sundowner Drive-In Theatre - SNACK BAR MAY 2008
SNACK BAR MAY 2008
Sundowner Drive-In Theatre - OLD AERIAL
OLD AERIAL
Sundowner Drive-In Theatre - OLD AERIAL
OLD AERIAL
Sundowner Drive-In Theatre - AERIAL - PHOTO FROM TERRASERVER
AERIAL - PHOTO FROM TERRASERVER
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