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10 Movie Theaters Worth Traveling For

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Even though you can watch a movie on your TV, laptop or iPad these days, great theaters still make going to the movies worth buying a ticket—and sometimes even worth a trip. Reclining stadium seats, historic backstories and snacks beyond popcorn and Red Vines reel us in to theaters across the country. Forbes Travel Guide found 10 great places to see a film—the theaters are destination-worthy, so we included hotel recommendations so you can stay awhile after the credits roll. Curtains up! Here are our picks for the 10 best movie theaters in the U.S. (in no particular order):

For where to stay and what to do during the Cannes Film Festival, visit Forbes Travel Guide’s blog.

1. AMC Loews Uptown, Washington, D.C.

Here’s the ticket: Local movie critics will tell you “The Uptown” is the best place to see a movie in the Washington, D.C. area. Opened in 1936, it’s not a movie theater, but a movie palace featuring a single screen—a curved, 70-foot long and 40-foot high screen, one of the largest in the area. The theater features a big balcony that’s perfect for couples who want to sneak upstairs and hold hands where generations have done the same.

Stay: Four Seasons Hotel Washington, D.C. is the only Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star in the city, located in center-of-it-all Georgetown.

2. ArcLight Cinemas Hollywood, Los Angeles

Here’s the ticket: This Hollywood theater isn’t just a place to see stars on screen—you might catch a few sitting next to you in the audience. The theater offers 14 screens with reserved stadium seating (the seats are wider than average), plus the famous Cinerama Dome, which plays movies in the building next door. For snacks, choose from dishes such as gourmet chicken sausage on a baguette and great caramel corn made on site. Don’t miss the lobby gift store packed with show biz memorabilia.

Stay: The Five-Star Peninsula Beverly Hills provides personalized service fit for celebrities, plus a roof garden and see-and-be-seen lobby lounge.

3. Sundance Kabuki Cinemas, San Francisco

Here’s the ticket: This sleek movie house is frequented by in-the-know San Francisco locals. The modern green building’s theater plays a great selection of indie films—it’s owned by the same group as the Sundance Film Festival, after all—along with blockbusters. The theater offers reserved seating and doesn’t show ads before movies. Enjoy upscale snacks and cocktails at the third-floor Balcony Bar—trade candy for the Mediterranean plate of hummus and baba ganoush.

Stay:  The Five-Star St. Regis San Francisco channels the theater’s hip vibe next door to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

4. Tampa Theatre, Tampa, Fla.

Here’s the ticket: A classic movie palace designed by famed theater architect John Eberson, the Tampa landmark was built in 1926. The theater now shows both new (Moonrise Kingdom) and classic films (Edward Scissorhands). Check out the indoor Mediterranean courtyard with flowers and gargoyles plus a nighttime sky with twinkling stars and floating clouds. Come early to hear the Mighty Wurlitzer theater organ played before most films.

Stay: Try InterContinental Tampa, a downtown hotel where the modern design style contrasts with the historic theater.

5. AMC EMPIRE 25, New York

Here’s the ticket: This giant multiplex—with 25 screens and seemingly never-ending escalators—is in the middle of New York’s Times Square. Seeing a movie at this busy theater comes with the pre-show experience of making your way through the vendors and performers in the chaotic square. The theater has stadium seating, plus frequent showings of almost every popular movie on the market—including screenings in Imax and 3D.

Stay: Nearby in Midtown, the Five-Star Four Seasons Hotel New York has sweeping views of Central Park and is close to Fifth Avenue shopping.

6. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, Austin, Texas

Here’s the ticket: This offbeat Austin theater serves beer, jalapeno poppers, nachos and gourmet pizza—servers come to take orders, so you won’t miss a second of the movie—along with their action flicks and tearjerkers. Go on themed nights—Weird Wednesdays for obscure, quirky picks and Girlie Night for flicks such as Steel Magnolias. Director Quentin Tarantino likes to stop by the movie theater when he’s in town.

Stay: W Austin combines contemporary luxury with a hip scene in Austin’s 2nd Street District.

7. Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, Los Angeles

Here’s the ticket: It’s not just a movie theater, it’s a Hollywood experience. Opened in 1927, the theater was known in its early days for lavish Hollywood premieres and hosting three Academy Award ceremonies. Check out the nearby Hollywood Walk of Fame before watching a flick on the big screen, and when your movie is over, stop by the next-door Kodak Theatre, where the Oscars are held today.

Stay: The Five-Star L’Ermitage Beverly Hills embraces minimalist-but-glam style in the airy rooms and rooftop pool area.

8. Rave Motion Pictures Town Square 18, Las Vegas

Here’s the ticket: Located in the outdoor Town Square shopping area a five-minute taxi ride from the Las Vegas Strip, this digital, state-of-the-art theater shows just about every popular film around, plus a nice selection of indie movies. Stadium seating and in-theater bars make for comfortable movie experience, and the mall hosts local events—including free outdoor movies—to check out afterward.

Stay: The nearby Four-Star ARIA Resort & Casino combines contemporary style with cutting edge technology and green design.

9. Studio Movie Grill, Wheaton, Ill.  

Here’s the ticket: The lobby’s sleek lounge chairs and dining tables don’t feel like the entrance to your standard megaplex, but inside, the eight theaters boast top-notch technology. A service button at your seat lets you order from a large menu including dishes such as carnitas tacos and pesto pizza. The full service lobby bar invites you to come early or stick around after the show for drinks from margaritas to wine.

Stay: A movie here is worth the drive from Chicago, where you can stay in the Four-Star Waldorf Astoria Chicago—the stylish hotel has spacious rooms and a top-notch restaurant.

10. Regal Kendall Village Stadium 16, Miami

Here’s the ticket: It’s not just the smell of popcorn (or the welcome air-conditioning) that grabs you when you step inside this Miami theater. There is a familiar, old-fashioned feeling here, but the multiplex also boasts modern movie tweaks including digital surround sound and reclining stadium seating—a special theater features 3D movies. Kids will flock to the video game room where they can star in some of their favorite films like The Fast and the Furious.

Stay: The waterfront Mandarin Oriental, Miami is a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star hotel with sleek, Asian-influenced style.