Movie Theaters Around Burlington, Vermont
Essex Outlets Cinema. 21 Essex Way, Essex Junction, VT 05452. (802) 879-6543. http://www.essexcinemas.com. Surrounded by restaurants and manufacturers’ discount stores, Essex Outlets is a great place to finish up a day-long shopping excursion. You can relax in your stadium seating as images from the two-story screens and digital sound overwhelm you. Offering first-run movies in a clean, comfortable environment, Essex Outlets also has some of the cheapest prices around, with discounts for kids, seniors and military personnel. Recommended (but sit in the middle or the back, not so close to the speakers). Acres of free parking.
Ethan Allen Cinemas. 1172 North Avenue, Burlington, VT 05401. (802) 863-4200. http://www.merrilltheatres.net. The bargain-basement theater of Chittenden County, Ethan Allen is the only place where you can see a movie for under $5.00 most days of the week. (General evening rates rise to $6.00 a ticket: still cheap.) The four-screen cinema has one or two screenings daily of up to four first-run movies. Second-run movies crop up too. With a poor selection and a grimy interior, Ethan Allen does not come recommended�even if it does have loads of free parking.
Palace 9. 10 Fayette Drive, South Burlington, VT 05403. (802) 864-5610. http://www.palace9.com. Like Essex Outlets Cinema, Palace 9 boasts multiple huge screens, proximity to restaurants and scads of parking at no extra cost. You’ll view your blockbuster in comfy stadium seating. This is the place to go for the greatest variety of mainstream first-run films. Prices are some of the highest in the area for night-time shows (general admission: $6.75). A good getaway for rainy or snowy days.
Majestic 10. 190 Boxwood Street, Williston, VT 05495. (802) 878-5090. http://www.majestic10.com. With wall-to-wall screens, reclining upholstered chairs and stadium seating, the Majestic’s accommodations tempt you to stay there forever. The digital sound seems louder than usual, therefore perfect for explosive action flicks. The Majestic features popular first-run movies at a higher price than most area theaters (general admission: $7.75). However, since the nearby shopping complex provides ample opportunity to spend and dine (and park at no charge), it all evens out.
Roxy Cinemas. 222 College Street, Burlington, VT 05401. (802) 864-4742. http://www.merrilltheatres.net. The six-screen Roxy is Burlington’s answer to alternative cinema, screening a mixture of first-run and indie flicks. It also shows a small selection of foreign and late shows. The Roxy is located in the heart of downtown Burlington, which is great if you want to walk there and/or shop nearby. Expect to shell out for parking if you drive, though. A welcome antidote to the Hollywood-centric moviehouses.
Sunset Drive-In Movie Theatre. Porters Point Road, Colchester, VT 05446. (802) 862-1600. http://www.mallettsbay.com/sunset/. Probably the only drive-in left in the county, Sunset operates seasonally, playing first-run movies from spring to early fall. It charges a reasonable flat fee per adult, with children under 12 free. While waiting for show time, families can play miniature gold or snack at the fully stocked concession stand. When the movies start, they are either kid-friendly double features or back-to-back blockbusters. Great for a nostalgia trip.
