It’s been 40 years since a souped up DeLorean first stole our hearts.

Since then, generations of movie fans have followed Marty McFly, his folks George and Lorraine, and inventor Doc Brown on their adventures “Back to the Future.”

The film, which tells the story of a 1980s teen who accidentally hops in a time machine and zooms back to 1955, first premiered in summer 1985. It opened alongside titles like “The Goonies,” “St. Elmo’s Fire” and “Rambo First Blood Part 2.”

Back then, Charlotteans got an early preview at Park Terrace Theater before it went to wider distribution around the country a few days later. And it played at local movie houses that for longtime Charlotteans are only memories now, like Park 51 Cinema, Town Cinema 6 and Eastland Mall.

Now, 40 years later, a special anniversary edition of the timeless (yes!) Robert Zemeckis film will be back in theaters, including IMAX screens for the first time. The official release date is Oct. 31, but according to Fandango, you can catch it in local theaters beginning Oct. 30.

If you’d like to try a little time travel yourself, October is also the perfect month to give it a go!

Celebrate Back to the Future Day

In the original film, Marty travels back in time on Oct. 26, 1985. And in “Back to the Future II” (released in 1989), he heads to the then future, arriving on Oct. 21, 2015. The latter date is now celebrated annually as Back to the Future Day.

In honor of these many milestones, CharlotteFive has two fun “Back to the Future”-inspired itineraries for you to try: a 1950s and 1980s version.

Choose your own adventure with recommendations for food, fun and after-dark inspirations. Many of the activities are family friendly, if you want to bring the kids along, too.

It’s up to you whether you stick with one era, or mix and match between the decades — just like Marty does in the film.

Need a time machine?

You can rent one from Delorean Rental, LLC. Prices vary depending on length of rental and event location, but they typically go for $350-$450 per hour, according to owner/operator Jason Alspaugh.

And if you want to dress for the occasion (think ‘50s style poodle skirts, saddle shoes and letter jackets or ‘80s-era neon, acid washed jeans and oversized graphic tees), check out these CharlotteFive recs for vintage clothes shops.

Now, buckle up …

A swell day in the 1950s

Classic food

In “Back to the Future,” Marty steps into Lou’s Cafe, where he accidentally runs into his high-school aged dad and town bully, Biff Tannen. These Charlotte restaurants can offer a similar blast from the past.

Park Road Soda Shoppe

Location: 4121 Park Rd, Charlotte, NC 28209

Location: 800 Rogers Lake Rd, Kannapolis, NC 28081

For your own (hopefully bully-free) 1950s-style meal, check out Park Road Soda Shoppe for everything from biscuits and burgers to ice cream sodas and cherry pie. The restaurant first opened in 1999, but its original location is located at the Park Road Shopping Center, Charlotte’s first open-air shopping complex. When it opened in 1956, the shopping center was the largest of its kind between Washington, DC, and Atlanta.

The Soda Shop

Location: 104 S Main St, Davidson, NC 28036

In Davidson, The Soda Shop, located on Main Street near Davidson College, is a real blast from the past. The restaurant first opened in 1951. It’s got checkered floors, an old-fashioned soda counter and original booths. Vintage photos decorate the walls and the extensive menu covers breakfast, lunch and dinner classics, from eggs Benedict and patty melts to floats and ice cream sundaes.

South 21 Drive In

Location: 3101 E Independence Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28205

For curbside service, check out South 21 Drive In on Independence Boulevard. It’s been in operation since 1955 and has been featured on two different Food Network series. The spot’s best known dish is the Super Boy, a double-burger with mustard, onions, lettuce and tomatoes. But you can find everything from BBQ and fried fish sandwiches to onion rings and cherry nut sundaes.

‘50s-style fun and entertainment

In “Back to the Future,” Lorraine and George McFly finally get together (and save future Marty) on the dance floor at Hill Valley High’s Enchantment Under the Sea dance.

Check out these Charlotte spots if you’d like to get out there yourself and try some social dancing.

Matthews Ballroom+Events

Location: 189 N Trade St 2nd Floor, Matthews, NC 28105

In downtown Matthews at Matthews Ballroom+Events, you can try group classes or private lessons in styles including ballroom, swing and Latin dance.

Gottaswing Charlotte

Location: 501 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte NC 28202

Charlotte Swing Dance

Warbirds Over Monroe Hangar Dance with the Salisbury Swing Band

Location: 3900 Paul J Helms Dr, Monroe, NC 28110

If you want to focus exclusively on swing dance styles like Lindy Hop and Jitterbug (older dance styles that inspired ‘50s moves), check out Gottaswing Charlotte’s $5 Friday Swing Dances or Charlotte Swing Dance’s upcoming 1940s-era dance with a live band on Nov. 8 in a hangar at the Monroe Executive Airport in conjunction with the Warbirds Over Monroe air show.

Lucky Strike South Charlotte

Location: 1700 Montford Dr, Charlotte, NC 28209

Bowling was huge in the 1950s. According to Smithsonian magazine, at least 20,000 new lanes opened up around the country between 1945 and 1957 to meet the growing demand. In Charlotte, you can find one of the oldest surviving bowling lanes on Montford Drive. Originally opened as Park Lanes Bowling in 1960 and known by several other names since, it’s now Lucky Strike South Charlotte.

The action doesn’t stop after dark

Charlotte used to be home to multiple drive-in movie theaters, including the Queen Drive-In and Viking and numerous movie spots that have since disappeared.

Belmont Drive-In

Location: 314 McAdenville Rd, Belmont, NC 28012

You can enjoy a retro film experience at Belmont Drive-In. First opened in 1946, it operated until 2014 and then reopened in 2023. The children of one of the previous owners now operate it. Films start right after sundown and admission is charged by the car. It’s a cash-only business, so keep that in mind both for entry and concessions purchases.

Carolina Theatre

Location: 230 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202

You can also catch movies at the recently restored and reopened Carolina Theatre in Uptown Charlotte, including vintage classics, like the 1954 horror film “Creature from the Black Lagoon” on Oct. 28. The theater first opened in 1927.

West Charlotte Dairy Queen

Location: 2732 Wilkinson Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28208

For a sweet end to your 1950s adventure, make a stop at Dairy Queen on Wilkinson Boulevard. The iconic shop, which originally opened in 1947, was recently sold to new owners. It continues to operate daily.

A totally rad 1980s day

Nostalgic food

Retro Pizza Hut

Location: 2111 W Roosevelt Blvd, Monroe, NC 28110

Location: 812 NC-24, Albemarle, NC 28001

Nothing says 1980s like pizza (even if it only comes to cinematic glory in “Back to the Future II” with dehydrated Pizza Hut pies). You can still find old-school classic Pizza Huts in the Charlotte area in Monroe and Albemarle, where the restaurants feature the distinctive red-tiered roof, vintage red checker tablecloths and red vinyl booths. Many other former Pizza Huts around the city have since been converted into other eateries.

House of Pizza

Location: 3640 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205

Another option for pizza aficionados is House of Pizza on Central Avenue, a family-run business which has been serving up Greek and Italian cuisine since 1979.

‘80s-style fun and entertainment

The scene where ‘80s teen Marty McFly borrows a scooter from a bewildered ‘50s kid and breaks off the handles to make a skateboard is one of the film’s most iconic moments. According to CitySkateProject.com, the 1980s were a golden age for skateboarding, when board technology improved and the sport peaked in popularity. It was also the moment the first vertical skateparks were installed.

Renaissance Park Skate Park

Location: 5130 Parkway Plaza Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28217

In Charlotte, skaters today can practice their ollies, kickflips and other moves at Renaissance Park Skate Park. Another local destination, Grayson SkatePark at the Naomi Drenan Recreation Center has been undergoing improvements and is slated to reopen sometime this fall.

Kate’s Skating Rink

Location: 14500 E Independence Blvd, Indian Trail, NC 28079

Location: 1151 Skating Rink Dr, Gastonia, NC 28054

Taking the skating theme further, the 1980s were a moment when rollerskating rinks around the country were also among the most popular destinations for kids and teens. (I can vouch for this as an ‘80s kid. I remember attending many birthday parties and end-of-school celebrations at my hometown rink in Greeley, Colorado!) You can capture that same 1980s feeling when you visit one of the remaining Kate’s Skating Rinks locations in Indian Trail and Gastonia.

In 1985, there were about five Kate’s rinks spread between Charlotte and Gastonia, according to Billy Thompson, grandson of the original owners, who now runs the business.

For a retro feel, he recommends checking out the 18+ Friday evening Freestyle Shuffle Skate Night in Gastonia, where many old school roller skating tunes from the ‘80s, ‘90s and 2000s get played. You can also take your “Back to the Future” experience a step further with the special Sip & SK8 event planned for Oct. 31, where there’s a prize for best dressed costume.

Super Abari Game Bar

Location: 1015 Seigle Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205

Super Abari Game Bar in Belmont is totally tubular with arcade games including Donkey Kong, Burgertime, Centipede, Pac-Man and Frogger and retro-themed pinball machines like Star Wars and Raiders of the Lost Ark. It’s normally a 21+ establishment, but on Saturdays and Sundays from 12-6 p.m., it’s open to all ages (with an accompanying parent or guardian). This Halloween, the spot is also hosting Monster Bash 2025 for grown-ups with drink specials and a costume contest.

After dark, there’s more to do

Charlotte in the ‘80s is often described as a sleepy town, but there were at least a dozen discos/nightclubs in operation during that decade including popular spots like Pterodactyl, 13∙13 and Park Elevator.

Retro Bar

Location: 200 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202

Now, you can find a 1980s vibe at the newly opened Retro Bar. The spot, decked out with neon lights, a disco ball, giant murals and video screens, plays music from the ‘80s-2000s. Between its two floors, you can find space to dance or just hang out with retro cocktails from the bar.

VisArt Video & Cafe

Location: 3104 Eastway Dr, Charlotte, NC 28205

If a night at home is more your style, you can go totally ‘80s by renting a video from VisArt Video, Charlotte’s only nonprofit shop dedicated to video rentals. Compare that to 1985, when there were 18 video rental businesses listed in the Charlotte Yellow Pages. (Shout out to the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room for tracking that info down!)

VisArt has more than 65,000 VHS and DVDs in its collection and claims the title of the largest film inventory library on the East Coast. And, of course, it has the “Back to the Future” series as part of that archive. For just $5, you can get a lifetime membership that will grant you access to video rentals. Or you can opt for a sustaining membership that includes free coffee and unlimited rentals (two at a time). For October, it’s available for a $20/monthly recurring fee instead of the usual $25 rate. And if you don’t have a DVD player, you can rent one of those, too.

If you’d like to hang out around other retro film buffs, check out the VisArt Cafe with an outdoor patio (including a retro Ms. Pac-Man arcade game) or come for one of the many events hosted at the store. 1980s fans may want to check out a “Dungeons and Dragons” play event or the 1980s Horror Film class, exploring anti-capitalist themes in several films, offered Saturday afternoons during October.

TCBY

Location: Multiple

For the perfect end to a 1980s day, stop by a TCBY. Although the brand didn’t come to Charlotte until 2010, TCBY launched its first shop in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1981, as people looked for healthy alternatives to ice cream. According to FrozenDessertSupplies.com, by 1984, there were more than 100 frozen yogurt chains running across the U.S.

We’d love to see pics of your time travelling adventures! Send your photos back to the future to charlottefive@charlottefive.com.

Retro Charlotte

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