Brunswick Zone - Brooklyn Park551

This is not your parents' bowling alley. For starters, the $9 million 60,000-sq.-ft. Brunswick Zone is entirely smoke-free. It's also got laser tag, bumper cars, a 65-game video arcade, fast-food service, and a lounge with a circular stone fireplace and billiard tables (where parents can imbibe). And, oh yeah...48 lanes for bowling, with comfy couch seating. Bumpers are available for those kids who actually make it over to a lane, and there's often cosmic bowling on Saturday afternoons.

It's the largest bowling complex in the metro area, and intent on luring in families with noisy, flashy fun - which means parents might want to pop an aspirin before going in. The staff ranges from bored and borderline-rude to helpful and engaged - the latter can make it a nice experience, the former might leave you feeling frustrated and fleeced. One important warning: don't just hop in the car and head over thinking you'll be able to bowl. When most or all of the lanes are in use for leagues (which is often), there can be a long wait for open bowling - long enough that you could drive over to bowl at Park Tavern or Bryant Lake instead.

The arcade uses refillable debit cards (the machines don't accept cash), and many games dispense tickets that can be redeemed for prizes.

A youth league meets weekly for semi-competitive fun, and there are also leagues for men, women, and families.

Brunswick Zone is open holidays, including Christmas Day.

Parties: Brunswick Zone offers several high-stimulation options for ages three and up, with a minimum of six guests. Parties include 90 minutes of bowling and shoe rentals. Celebrating in one of the three private party rooms costs a bit more.