Penn Theatre

The Penn Theatre in Plymouth, Michigan, takes you back to another era of movie-going: a grand marquee, a single screen, and fresh popcorn. The Penn, opened just three days before the United States entered World War II, is a staple of the Plymouth community and an iconic presence in its downtown square. The Penn Theatre shows second-run and independent films, as well as entertainment acts and private functions.

How to get to the Penn Theatre
Located at 760 Penniman Avenue, the Penn Theatre is the focal point of Plymouth's town square. From Detroit, take I-96W for 30 minutes. From Ann Arbor, it's a 20 minute drive on M-14E.

Best and worst time to go to the Penn Theatre
Part of the fun of going to the Penn is attending with a nearly full house (the single-screen theatre can accommodate 402 people). You're likely to find higher crowds at the matinee showing, usually around 4:45 p.m. for family-oriented films and 7:00 p.m. for more adult fare. It is recommended to check the Penn's website for showtimes first, as the theatre does not run movies every day of the week.

Admission to the Penn Theatre
All seats for films are $3.00.

Must see/do at the Penn Theatre
The concession stand is a nostalgic trip to the past. The popcorn is fresh and cheap; there's nothing like enjoying a box of popcorn in a vintage movie house.

Other places to visit near the Penn Theatre
Downtown Plymouth is host to dozens of great restaurants, like The Sardine Room, Ironwood Grill and Nico & Vali. Shopping and galleries also abound.

Insider tips for visiting the Penn Theatre
The box office and concession stand open a half hour before the first showtime of the day, so make sure to arrive early enough to park, purchase admission and concessions, and find your seat.

Author's bio: Jeff Birou is an education administrator by day, travel and freelance writer by night. Check him out on Twitter at @lanceandjeff or his blog Lance+Jeff.