Did you know that more than 50 million people bowl every year, making it the world’s number one participatory sport? Indeed, according to the United States Bowling Congress (USBC), 71 million people bowled at least once in 2010, making it the #1 participatory sport in the US alone. Surprising? Hardly. Bowling has been bringing people together for a long time. The sport’s cheap prices and convenient locations make it accessible to young and old, rich and poor, and everyone in between. Now, you too can join in the fun.
Don’t be afraid. Bowling alleys are no longer the smoke-filled, mysterious places of yesteryear. They’ve actually gotten pretty family-friendly, catering to singles, couples, the retired, kids and more. For example, many bowling alleys and chains offer state-of-the-art bowling lanes, cosmic bowling, enhanced lighting and sound systems, custom party and culinary packages and full-service lounges. Others provide fully-equipped game rooms that boast Wii Sports, video arcades, and other family-friendly activities. Okay, some of us just want to bowl, right? And, we can do without all the frills and light shows. Fortunately for all of us, the Washington, DC metropolitan area has a wide variety of bowling alleys from which to choose, and some of the very best are located in Northern Virginia.
Ready to bowl? Live in and around the National Capital Region? Check out these Top 5 Best Bowling Alleys in Northern Virginia. Top-notch bowling at reasonable prices for everyone in your family.
Bowl America Falls Church
140 South Maple Avenue
Falls Church, VA 22046
Telephone: (703) 534 – 1370
Hours of Operation: Call for details and reservations
Details: At Bowl America, you know what you’re getting: ample lane availability, snack bar, video arcade, and so much more. It’s that consistency that scores Bowl America high marks with men, women, and children in Northern Virginia. This location features plenty of parking and is conveniently located in Falls Church City, a block off of Lee Highway and Route 7. This location can’t be beat and scores big points for children’s birthday parties for its sheer convenience. Sure it may be a little sketchy on the outside as well as the inside, but don’t just a book by its cover. This place never fails to deliver. Check out Bowl America, something for everyone in the family.
Bowl America Fairfax
9699 Lee Highway
Fairfax, VA 22031
Telephone: (703) 273 – 7700
Hours of Operation: Call for details and reservations
Details: At Bowl America, you know what you’re getting: lots of lanes to choose from, snack bar, video arcade, and so much more. It’s that consistency that scores Bowl America with professional and amateur bowlers across the Northern Virginia region. This location features plenty of parking and is conveniently located on Lee Highway, a central and major thoroughfare in Fairfax, Virginia. Check out Bowl America, something for everyone in the family. This location rocks with young people who love to bowl with their good pals. Super clean. Friendly staff. Plenty of bumpers for the young-uns, too.
Fort Myer Bowling Center
411 Mcnair Road Fort Myer, VA 22211
Telephone: (703) 528-4766
Hours of Operation: Call for details and reservations
Details: No-frills bowling at a fraction of the price, the Fort Myer Bowling Center delivers a high quality experience. Popular for children’s parties and more. Sure, you have to suffer through security at the gates of this historic military base. But, it’s sure worth it in the end. Just don’t forget your identification and be ready for a full search of your vehicle. A real treasure and great fun for everyone in and around Arlington, Virginia.
AMF Alexandria Lanes
6228a N. Kings Highway
Alexandria, VA 22303
Telephone: (703) 765-3633
Hours of Operation: Call for details and reservations
Details: If you’re looking for a super duper spectacular bowling experience, AMF Alexandria Lanes has it for you. With 48 lanes to choose from and a great snack bar, what more can you ask for in a Northern Virginia bowling alley. Yep, this place is huge and a crowd favorite. Great weekend deals and bowling packages. Parties welcome. Conveniently located and something for everyone in your family.
T-Bowl
Route 340
North Shenandoah, VA 22849
Telephone: (540) 652-8126
Hours of Operation: Call for details and reservations
For more than 100 years, duck pin bowling has been a fan favorite of old and young alike. Looking for a duck pin alley with all the bells and whistles? There are still a few left in Northern Virginia, in and around the Shenandoah Valley region. For example, Luray, Virginia still has one as does Jackson, probably due to the tourist traffic that keeps some of these quaint, historic towns in business. Here’s one for the more seasoned duck pin bowlers among you. Nestled in North Shenandoah, T-Bowl may well be worth the drive. Plus, your visit and spare change may just may mean the difference between survival and extinction for duck pin bowling. Come on, what are you waiting for? With 10 Lanes, T-Bowl is a bit larger than most but a lot smaller than your typical bowling alley. But, let’s face it: there’s nothing, I mean nothing, quite like duck pin bowling. Really.
RESOURCES
Professional Bowlers Association
www.pba.com
National Bowling Association, Inc.
www.tnbainc.org
Bowling Proprietors Association of America
www.bpaa.com
