Cottage View Drive In

Went to see the Avengers and Dark Shadows.
This theater is a classic drive-​in… Where else can you spend an entire night out, see 2 movies, run around with the kids if you want for 8 bucks a person?
There are only a couple downsides to this drive-​in — no charcoal grills (but they do allow gas ones), the bathrooms leave a lot to be desired and they have been operating for the past 6 years under the threat of closing to be replaced by a super-​Walmart.
With less than 350 drive-​ins still in existence nationwide and only 2 in the Twin Cities area, I highly suggest you visit this piece of classic Americana while you still can. Nothing beats the value, the fun, the experience and the nostalgia of a classic drive-​in movie.

I’m almost 50 and my mom worked there when she was a teen. As a kid I saw quite a few movies and had great times. I’m not really a drive in fan anymore but still think this should be made into a historical landmark. There are not many remaining and kids still enjoy going. The sound is much improved since you listen to it on your car radio rather than those old speakers that you brought into your car and listened to quite a bit of statiac.

I love the cottage view, they are much smaller than Vali-​hi and not as overwhelming. It’s relaxing and more family oriented. I don’t worry if the kids want to go play in the grass and the staff is more than helpful. Last year we had a bunch of SUV’s park in front of us and put up their hatch so we couldn’t see. The staff members helped us find a better spot by moving their own cars around. It was very kind.
Love it!!!

My childhood drive in! I still go here to see Pixar movies so I can sob in the convenience of my car.
I wish they had certain nights where they showed movies that are a little less kid-​oriented earlier in the line up. I know that they’ve got a family thing going but they’d definitely get my business if they showed something rated above PG at some point. Especially because I can’t smuggle an entire pizza into a movie theatre like I can here.
Oh yeah! The intermission films are just kittens and puppies running all over the place, interspersed with unappetizing food and excellent 60s/​70s graphics. I have spent hours watching intermission countdown clocks on youtube for some bizarre reason, and this place satisfies my need to see them in the right context.

One of the best things about this Drive-​in is phoning the movie line. The woman who does the movie recordings every week has a wonderfully thick Minne-​sew-​ta accent. If you have someone who thinks the accents in Fargo were over-​done, just put them on the phone with this movie line. They’ll change their minds. Some of us really do talk like that.
Cottage View is the full drive-​in experience. I love that the intermission film hasn’t changed since the late sixties. I love that you can bring lawn chairs and beer in can coolers and the kids can hang out in their jammies on the roof of the car and it’s all cool. I love that you can see two movies for the price of one. I love almost everything except the restrooms which are shockingly dirty and the floor is almost always really wet, which is not something you want in a bathroom facility.
Apparently the city of Cottage Grove wants to build another office complex/​retail location on this land. Let’s get all Brady Bunch, paint signs and storm city hall. Save the Cottage View. Oh, no, I got hit in the face with a football!

Lucky me, I grew up in the area and attend this drive in regularly. Still remember my first movie… Star Wars. The experience as a kid, a teen and an adult are memorable. This place hasn’t changed much, if at all over the years. Pop your own popcorn, fill the cooler with your favorite soda, pick your favorite snack, and don’t feel guilty that you’re sneaking food in with you to see a movie! Bring the frisbee or football to toss, don’t forget the bug spray (afterall this is summer in Minnesota).

I have not been here in YEARS, but going by a recent Facebook post by my niece, she gives it theatrical stars. This is on my summer to-​do list and I’ll definitely report back to Unilocal.I’m just giving it four stars because it IS STILL HERE AND UP AND OPERATING AFTER ALL THESE YEARS and that deserves something! you can’t miss its authentically retro (oxymoron?) sign on U.S. Hwy 61.