Looking for the perfect old-school treat?
These 8 nostalgic drive-ins in Michigan offer milkshakes that are absolutely unforgettable!
1. Don’s Drive-In (Traverse City)
Holy moly, would you look at that pink paradise!
Don’s Drive-In in Traverse City is like stepping into a life-sized bottle of Pepto-Bismol but in the best way possible.
This retro gem, with its bubblegum-colored exterior and classic neon sign, is serving up nostalgia by the bucketload.
As you pull up, you half expect to see Fonzie leaning against the building, giving you a thumbs up.
But instead of the Fonz, you’ll find friendly staff ready to whip up some of the most heavenly milkshakes this side of the Mackinac Bridge.
And let me tell you, these aren’t your run-of-the-mill, sad excuse for a milkshake.
Oh no, these are the kind of shakes that make you question all other milkshakes you’ve had in your life.
Don’s has been a Traverse City staple since the 1950s, and it’s easy to see why.
It’s got more charm than a basket of puppies and more flavor than a Motown greatest hits album.
So, put on your best poodle skirt or leather jacket, hop in your hot rod (or minivan, no judgment here), and get ready for a shake that’ll knock your bobby socks off!
2. West Pier Drive-In (Sault Ste. Marie)
Alright, folks, let’s take a trip to the tippy-top of the mitten, shall we?
West Pier Drive-In in Sault Ste. Marie is the kind of place that makes you feel like you’ve stumbled onto a movie set.
This no-frills, white-painted wonder might not look like much from the outside, but don’t let that fool you – it’s packing more flavor than a sumo wrestler in a phone booth.
Nestled right near the Soo Locks, West Pier has been serving up deliciousness since 1952.
As you pull up, you might notice the menu plastered on the side of the building.
It’s like a treasure map, but instead of leading to buried gold, it guides you to buried treasure in the form of mouthwatering milkshakes.
Their shakes are so thick, you might need to train with the local lumberjacks just to build up the arm strength to sip them.
But trust me, it’s worth the workout.
Plus, while you’re slurping down your shake, you can watch the massive freighters pass by.
It’s like dinner and a show, except the dinner is dessert and the show is slow-moving boats.
Hey, in the UP, that’s prime entertainment!
3. Daly Drive-In (Livonia)
Next stop on our milkshake express: Daly Drive-In in Livonia.
This place is about as Michigan as coney dogs and complaining about potholes.
It’s been a local favorite since 1947, which means it’s been serving up shakes longer than most of us have been alive.
Talk about staying power!
Daly’s looks like the kind of place where time forgot to keep ticking.
With its classic brick exterior and retro sign, you half expect to see a DeLorean parked out front.
But instead of time travelers, you’ll find locals who’ve been coming here for generations, all drawn by the siren song of creamy, dreamy milkshakes.
Their shakes are so good, they should come with a warning label: “May cause spontaneous happiness and uncontrollable urges to do the twist.”
And let’s not forget about their famous Boston Cooler – a Detroit-area specialty that’s like a milkshake and a float had a baby, and that baby was raised by unicorns.
It’s that magical.
4. Dog n Suds Drive-In (Montague)
Hold onto your hot dogs, folks, because we’re heading to Montague for a visit to Dog n Suds Drive-In.
This place is more American than apple pie riding a bald eagle while reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
With its charming A-frame building and vintage sign, it’s like stepping into a Norman Rockwell painting – if Norman Rockwell had a thing for really good milkshakes.
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Dog n Suds has been around since 1953, which means they’ve had plenty of time to perfect the art of the shake.
Their milkshakes are so thick, you could probably use them as mortar to build a house.
A delicious, creamy house that you’d want to live in forever.
But here’s the kicker – they don’t just stop at regular milkshakes.
Oh no, they’ve got a root beer shake that’ll make you question everything you thought you knew about beverages.
It’s like someone took the essence of childhood summers, blended it with ice cream, and served it in a frosty mug.
It’s so good, you might shed a tear.
Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone.
5. Eddie’s Drive In (Harrison Township)
Buckle up, buttercup, because we’re cruising over to Harrison Township to check out Eddie’s Drive In.
This place is more colorful than a box of crayons that got left out in the sun.
With its vibrant orange and yellow exterior, Eddie’s looks like it’s perpetually stuck in a 1960s summer – and honestly, who wouldn’t want that?
Eddie’s has been flipping burgers and blending shakes since 1987, which in drive-in years is like being a sprightly teenager.
But don’t let its relative youth fool you – these folks know their way around a milkshake.
Their shakes are so good, they should be considered a controlled substance.
One sip and you’ll be hooked faster than you can say “brain freeze.”
What sets Eddie’s apart is their commitment to the classic drive-in experience.
You can still get your food delivered right to your car by a carhop.
It’s like time travel, but with better ice cream and fewer paradoxes.
And let’s be real, isn’t that the best kind of time travel?
6. Short’s Root Beer Drive-In (Coldwater)
Next up on our milkshake marathon is Short’s Root Beer Drive-In in Coldwater.
This place is more Michigan than saying “ope” while reaching for the last olive at a potluck.
With its sunny yellow exterior and retro vibe, Short’s looks like the kind of place where happiness goes on vacation.
Short’s has been a Coldwater institution since 1938, which means they’ve been perfecting their craft since before World War II.
That’s a lot of shakes, folks.
Their milkshakes are so creamy, you’ll wonder if they’ve got a secret herd of magical cows hidden somewhere behind the building.
But the real star of the show here is their root beer float.
It’s like a milkshake’s cooler, slightly fizzy cousin.
The combination of their homemade root beer and velvety ice cream is so good, it should be illegal.
It’s the kind of treat that makes you want to stand up and sing the national anthem – of flavor town.
7. Corky’s Drive-In (Kalamazoo)
Alright, shake enthusiasts, let’s zoom over to Kalamazoo for a visit to Corky’s Drive-In.
This place is more authentic than a Michigander’s ability to point to their hometown on their hand.
With its classic red and white color scheme and retro car service, Corky’s is like a time machine that runs on milkshakes instead of plutonium.
Corky’s has been a Kalamazoo staple since 1960, which means they’ve been serving up shakes longer than most of us have been alive.
Their milkshakes are so thick, you could probably use them as a flotation device in a pinch.
Not that I’m recommending that – safety first, folks!
But here’s the real scoop – Corky’s doesn’t just serve your run-of-the-mill vanilla and chocolate shakes.
Oh no, they’ve got flavors that’ll make your taste buds do a double take.
Butterscotch shake? Check.
Peanut butter shake? You betcha.
It’s like Willy Wonka decided to open a drive-in, minus the potentially lethal candy and morally questionable child labor practices.
8. Clyde’s Drive-In (Saint Ignace)
Last but certainly not least on our milkshake pilgrimage is Clyde’s Drive-In in Saint Ignace.
This place is more Pure Michigan than a sunset over the Mackinac Bridge.
With its bright blue exterior and retro signage, Clyde’s looks like it was plucked straight out of a 1950s postcard.
Clyde’s has been serving up deliciousness since 1949, which means they’ve been in the shake game longer than most of us have been shaking our groove things.
Their milkshakes are so good, they should come with a warning label: “May cause spontaneous outbursts of joy and uncontrollable urges to do the Mashed Potato.”
But here’s the cherry on top – Clyde’s sits right on the shores of Lake Huron.
So while you’re sipping on your creamy concoction, you can gaze out at the sparkling waters and ponder life’s great mysteries.
Like, how did they get the shake so perfectly thick?
And why doesn’t all of life taste this good?
So there you have it, folks – a tour of Michigan’s milkshake meccas.
Now get out there and shake things up!