During the day you’ll find one of the largest flea markets in the world, but as the sun sets, 14 cinema screens light up for one of the world’s largest drive-ins.
Step back in time with a visit to this enormous drive-in movie cinema and daily flea market. The Florida Swap Shop in Fort Lauderdale is one of the world’s largest drive-ins, with 14 dedicated screens showing films seven days a week. By day, the drive-in transforms into a sprawling flea market, also one of the largest in the world. Eat at the indoor food court, with its entertainment area and some of the best people-watching opportunities in the state. Just a short drive from Miami, the Florida Swap Shop is an experience that shouldn’t be missed.
Arrive early to trawl through thousands of individual items collected by vendors from around the country. If you can imagine it, you can probably find it at the Swap Shop. Search through old photographs, fascinating pieces of furniture, comical shirts, rusty watches and huge collections of records, books and magazines.
Before the sun sets and the films begin, visit the food court for dinner. Take a seat at one of the large communal tables to make new friends as you eat burgers, fries and other American fast food fare. Entertainers regularly perform on the stage. In the early days of the Swap Shop, the stage was shared by a family circus and local musicians, including big names like Willie Nelson and KC and the Sunshine Band.
Pull your car into the drive-in just before dusk to get the best spot in the lot. Check the timetable to see what’s showing on screen nine, the original screen from 1963. Buy snacks and drinks from the kiosk when you pick up your speakers. Push your seat back and enjoy one of the great American traditions.
The Swap Shop is located in Fort Lauderdale and should be reached by car for the full experience. The flea market is free of charge; however, tickets must be purchased to attend a movie screening. The market is open daily.