A hidden gem of nostalgia and adventure lies in the vast expanse of the San Luis Valley and endless stretches of open road: a restored drive-in movie theater that offers accommodations for overnight stays. Far from city lights, the in Center is a cinematic sanctuary, a testament to a bygone era. Originally called the Frontier Drive-In, the theater opened in 1955 and was one of the few places showing Spanish-language films in the 1960s and 1970s.
Today, the venue screens everything from cult classics to kids’ movies and the occasional art film. “We don’t share our movie titles until you’re actually on site,” Frontier owner Luke Falcone said. “We want people to come for the full experience.
We’ve shown horror films on Halloween and had a weekend of just baseball films.” While the popcorn is always free, the Frontier wants to expand its food and beverage offerings. Guests can use the shared kitchen and rent cooking equipment to prepare meals.
Before Falcone took over, the last movie shown at the drive-in was in the mid-to-late 1980s. Falcone cleaned up some of the original Arch projectors, speaker system, and popcorn machine to display on site. The Frontier offers guests accommodations, including two pods, each with five yurts clustered around gas firepits and spa-like bathhouses.
Each yurt is equipped with a queen bed, sitting area, and pellet stoves designed to provide a low-maintenance in-unit fire to provide heat. Or choose one of a pair of Steelmaster sheds,.