SPLENDOR IN THE GRASS

The best outdoor film screenings happening across the country this summer.

With ice cream officially a year-round treat and sandals with stockings acceptable even in the dead of winter, outdoor movie screenings are one of the few things that are exclusive to summer.

Though they have their fair share of annoyances—grass hogging, loud talking, and those partaking in excessive PDA—watching films like Reality Bites or Vicky Cristina Barcelona while the sun sets is about the closest you can get to a perfect day (and way more culturally enriching that an afternoon spent at the local beer garden).

The best part? Just about every major city has its own outdoor screenings. Here, a few of our favorites. Don’t forget the popcorn.

ARLINGTON, VA
What: The films you love to hate (but secretly love) from the ‘80s
Where: Gateway Park
When: Every Friday through September 4

RALEIGH, NC
What: The old (The Sting), the new (Milk), the unbelievable (Man On Wire)
Where: North Carolina Museum of Art
When: Every Friday and Saturday through September 25

CHICAGO, IL
What: The classics, like Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Tootsie
Where: Butler Field at Grant Park
When: Every Tuesday from July 14-August 25

SAN FRANCISCO, CA
What: Everyone from James Bond to the Brat Pack makes an appearance
Where: Dolores Park and Union Square
When: Every Saturday through October 3

BETHESDA, MD
What: Blockbusters like Twilight and The Dark Knight
Where: Strathmore
When: August 14-21

SEATTLE, WA
What: The movies that scared you as a kid (E.T., Edward Scissorhands, Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure)
Where: Phinney Ave N & N 35th Street
When: Through September 12

BROOKLYN, NY
What: Everything from the good (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) to so-bad-it's-good (Wild at Heart)
Where: McCarren Park
When: Every Wednesday through August 12

PORTLAND, OR   
What: Summer blockbusters from the past 20 years
Where: Pioneer Courthouse
When: Every Friday July 10-August 14



This story was published on July 2, 2009.