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Bowling has come a long way since our childhood days of crouching down to push a way-too-heavy ball down a fluorescent-lit alley. Now, bowling alleys rock groovy jams and disco balls, and even the tiniest tots can score that once elusive strike thanks to gutter bumpers and ball ramps. These 7 places to bowl are sure to be up your alley… and most offer fun perks like arcades, billiards, and more. So, all you need to do is get rolling.

photo: Michael Bentley

Tavern and Bowl
Let the good times roll at these uber-hip bowling lanes with colorful lights, pop-up bumpers, and a bowling ramp for beginners. When your mini bowlers work up an appetite trying to get that first strike, you can order a meal off the alley’s full restaurant menu. We love the flatbread pizza and southwest salad, which are a cut above your average bowling alley fare. We recommend making online reservations if you go during a peak time.

Cost: $19-$40/hour (Up to 6 people); $4/shoe rental

200 E. Via Rancho Pkwy
Escondido, Ca
760-690-2300

881 Showroom Place
Chula Vista, Ca
619-565-2695
Online: tavernbowl.com

Kearny Mesa Bowl & Mira Mesa Lanes
If your kids are early risers on Sunday mornings, then make lemonade out of lemons and take them bowling on the cheap. Deals like $1.50 games and shoe rentals are certainly up every parent’s alley… and you’ll be thankful that wee bowlers will go right down for that afternoon nap.

7585 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.
San Diego, Ca
858-279-1501
Online: kearnymesabowl.com

Cost: $17-$26/lane (per hour); $4/shoe rental

8210 Mira Mesa Blvd.
San Diego, Ca
858-578-0500
Online: miramesalanes.com

Cost: $1.50 games/ $1.50 shoe rental. Games must be purchased before 10 a.m. and completed by 11 a.m.

photo: Richard Giles

AMF Eagle Lanes
Kid’s will have a ball when an afternoon bowling session turns into an outright party as the lights go down, and the disco-inspired fun begins. Your whole family will get a kick out of turning a ho-hum weekday afternoon into an impromptu trip to this bowling alley, which has 40 all-star lanes, a mini-arcade, snack bar, smaller-sized balls for kids, and a bowling ramp to ensure scoring that first strike!

Cost: $3-$6.69/game (per person); $4.69/shoes

945 San Marcos Blvd.
San Marcos, Ca
760-744-7000
Online: amf.com

photo: Travis I. via Yelp

Viejas Bowl
There will be fun to spare at this twelve-lane boutique bowling alley in Alpine, which has a friendly staff, stylish couches and an upscale vibe. Kick back and relax while the kids bowl. Order anything from a healthy turkey wrap to pizza or buffalo wings off the tasty menu.

Cost: $3.50-$5/game (per person); Shoes, $3.50/adult, $2.50/child

5005 Willows Rd.
Alpine, Ca
877-303-2695
viejas.com/bowling

Parkway Bowl
Grab the ramp, put up the bumpers, don those crazy shoes and get ready to roll. This large, reasonably-priced bowling alley with state -of-the-art lanes boasts plenty of good times beyond the wood floors. Hit up their booming arcade and billiards tables once your lane time is up.

Cost: $2.35-$4.60/game (per person); $3.75/shoes

1280 Fletcher Pkwy
El Cajon, Ca
619-448-4111
Online: parkwaybowl.com

photo: JP G. via Yelp

Brunswick Zone
Looking for an alley that can accommodate a big family or group for a day of bowling? This Chula Vista hot spot has forty-eight lanes and automatic bumpers. Daily specials make Brunswick Zone as affordable as it is amusing. And with ten billiard tables and a pretty killer arcade, this is your one-stop shop for family fun.

Cost: $3.49-$5.59/game (per person); $4.69/shoes

845 Lazo Ct.
Chula Vista, Ca
619-421-4801
Online: bowlbrunswick.com

Where do you take the crew bowling? Let us know in the comments below.

—Nikki Walsh

Lincoln Park Zoo has been up to some monkey business. The brand new Regenstein Macaque Forest exhibit is now open, and its playful inhabitants — eight Japanese macaques, also known as snow monkeys — are ready to show you their little happy red faces. This new species, never before seen at the zoo, are a hoot to watch. New educational technology like live-stream video make the exhibit as much about learning as it is about fun. Read on for the scoop!

8 Fascinating Primates
Five female and three male snow monkeys have found their way to the legendary zoo by way of the Japan Monkey Centre, an accredited zoo in Inuyama, Japan, where they have resided for the past several years. Turns out, their native climate isn’t all too different from Chicago’s. The macaques are known for their tolerance for varying temperatures, from sub-tropical lowlands to sub-alpine regions. And they adjust to the varying climates in ways we humans can relate to, taking quick dips in hot springs and climbing on sun-dappled rocks for quick warm-ups. Some populations of Japanese macaques have been observed cleaning their food before eating it by rinsing it off in nearby water sources.

The habitat is designed to show off the macaques’ natural, inquisitive behavior. A variety of trees (live trees, artificial trees and deadfall) allow these funny guys and gals to scamper around in interesting ways. Feeders in the form of traditional stone Japanese lanterns are scattered throughout the landscape, enticing the macaques into view so everyone can observe their behavior. Contrary to what you might think, they don’t live on bananas alone. Instead, they’re given mostly a diet of plant materials (flowers, bark, etc.), plus insects and some fruits and vegetables.

A Whole New Way to Learn
At 11:40 a.m. each day, researchers and educators will be at the exhibit and won’t stay behind the scenes. The exhibit area is equipped with webcams, and behavioral and cognitive research will be ongoing as the public is invited to watch. There are two sheltered viewing areas; one is a glass-walled research pavilion, where you can observe primatologists interacting with the monkeys via touchscreen computers. Also, a meeting space with a wall of windows looking into the macaques’ grassy outdoor habitat will provide visiting groups a private viewing area.

Because the macaques are new and still getting used to their environment, a lot of what you see will be exercises in acclimation as the staff and researchers introduce them to their new space. Soon, they will use simple tools like tokens and tactile objects to entice monkeys to make decisions and observe their world. They’ll challenge the monkeys to understand they can exchange tokens for food rewards, and test to see if they go a further distance for a better reward. An educator explains the research process as it all unfolds.

Good to Know
Even if you can’t get to the exhibit, you can see the snow monkeys in real time and learn about them from home. The zoo’s micro website will offer a virtual experience, complete with a webcam stream showcasing the snow monkeys in action at Regenstein Macaque Forest. The site will offer interactive games, videos and educational material so kids can monkey around at home.

Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N. Clark St. (Parking entrance at Fullerton Pkwy. & Cannon Dr.)
Lincoln Park
312-742-2000
Admission is free (fees vary for parking)
Online: lpzoo.org

What is your favorite exhibit at the zoo? Shout about it in the Comments!

— Kelly Aiglon

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