At every start of the summer, I have my children write down a bucket list of things they want to accomplish. These range from winning a swim meet heat to going to Disney World. Maybe you are trying to plan a fun staycation. When they are getting bored I ask them to check their list and see if they can accomplish anything off of it, that does not require me and transportation. Each week we award the Kid of the week  and they get to pick the Family Friendly Activity our family will do. This week I surprised my kids with a trip to UPTOWN ALLEY Richmond for a few hours of family friendly fun.

What is UPTOWN ALLEY:Located off 288 and Hull Street, this architecturally pleasing building is a  warehouse of family friendly and adult only activities. (the architecture comment came from a friend we brought with us). Do you have an idea of what is in store for us by the photo of

the outside? Bowling yes but much more. “Uptown Alley has something fun for everyone including 38 lanes of state-of-the-art bowling, an upscale, casual full service restaurant, Red Embers Bar & Grill, serving delicious chef-created Americana classics, two high-energy bars, a sports theater, billiards, over 60 video and prize games, live entertainment, private party rooms and much more. For our adult guests,The Rotunda is the ultimate ultra lounge experience.”

 

With over 30 lanes for family use, there is an entire upstairs dedicated to adults that I did not visit. Unlike other bowling alleys we have been to, this one had very roomy seats at each lane. No worries for sitting near someone you don’t like. Tweens are so awkward aren’t they! There are big screen TVs in front of each lane as well as smaller screens up close. The lanes are automated so you can choose to have bumpers up or down depending on which person is currently playing.

 

We enjoyed some great food while the kids bowled. The kid’s meal range in price from 3.99 to 4.99 and include unlimited beverage. Where do you get prices like these. My kids loved their sliders and homemade fries and chips as well as a grilled cheese sandwich and mac and cheese with a fresh fruit cup. Can’t beat these prices and the kid were full. The Wait staff was very attentive and you could not think about getting thirsty they were right there to help! Thanks Cole for dealing with 5 kids and myself!

 

After bowling we moved to the arcade section. This is not your typical Chuck E. Cheese! Most everything is modern and high tech. I enjoyed playing the oldies but goodies of basketball and Skeetball. Two of my favorites. They even have a huge screen that you play ninja fruit, a game that I have on my iPad. This family friendly activity is like Dave and Busters on Steroids!

 

Similar to other arcades you earn tickets and can buy prizes with them. Don’t worry moms all the tickets are electronically handled on their game cards. They have a great variety of prizes as well as ones for adults.

BONUS: Uptown Alley is running a SUMMER FUN PASS. You can sign up for the Summer Fun Pass by becoming an eClub member on the Uptown Alley website: www.uptownalleyrichmond.com.

For 7 dollars your child gets 2 games of bowling, rental shoes and a $5 Game Play card. What a deal! Add a meal and for 11 dollars your kids are entertained while you sit back or play along. While I love getting the kids outside during the summer, Mother Nature does not always cooperate. Check out UPTOWN ALLEY this summer.