AT PLAY FAMILY ACTIVITIES BOWLING ALLEYS Monterey Lanes From the outside it looks like an old-school alley. But Monterey Lanes is anything but on the inside: 24 lanes with touch-screen consoles, an automatic scoring system that’s easy to use and more modern touches. Darts and billiards available. There’s a food menu and full bar. 2161 N. Fremont St., Monterey. (831) 373-1553, montereylanes.com Round 1 The Monterey County location of a national chain that mixes bowling with all manner of fun. There are arcade games, billiard tables and even karaoke. 1600 Northridge Mall #200, Salinas. (831) 287-3848, round1usa. com Valley Center Bowl Fun for everyone is here—especially if you happen to bowl. There are 30 lanes for bowling by the hour, as well as arcade games, a bar and grill and tables to shoot pool. 1081 S. Main St., Salinas. (831) 422-9031, valleycenterbowl.com CHILDREN’S MUSEUMS, ATTRACTIONS Monterey Bay Aquarium The region’s biggest attraction may be its namesake bay, and this is the best place to get a glimpse of the extraordinary creatures that live in its waters. With a guiding mission “to inspire conversation of the ocean,” the Aquarium celebrates the diversity of life therein, with mesmerizing exhibits for all ages. In the evening, it also often becomes a stage for special events. 886 Cannery Row, Monterey. (831) 648-4800, montereybayaquarium.org Monterey Zoo Oh my! There are lions and tigers, a leopard and a black panther, elephants, rhinos, zebras, monkeys and more unusual animals. What is a caracal? You have to visit to find out (looking it up is not as much fun). Many of the animals are from private collections or were formerly circus animals. 400 River Road, Salinas. (831) 455-1901, montereyzoo.com MY Museum The slogan “where children play to learn and adults learn to play” is apt. There are interactive exhibits where youngsters can harvest crops or construct buildings or hang out in a treehouse, all while learning about the world and building creativity. 425 Washington St., Monterey. (831) 649-6444, mymuseum.org Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History A rather weighty name for a field guide with something for all ages. There are exhibits exploring everything from monarch butterflies to whales, along with a garden, artifacts and interactive programs. The museum opened in the 1880s. 165 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove. (831) 648-5716, pgmuseum.org GAMES, ARCADES, RIDES Escape Room 831 Escape rooms are popular because they challenge you and your friends and family to work together finding clues and solving riddles. They can take you through a range of emotions, all while you are having a lot of fun. The rooms are not easy, but they fully engage you. Two locations: 599 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey, (831) 241-6616; 765 Wave St., Monterey, (831) 324-0513. escaperoom831.com TreasureHuntRide_1-2h_VG23_GK.indd 1 6/7/23 1:23 PM WWW.MONTEREYCOUNTYWEEKLY.COM 41
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