December 21, 2024
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The Scene

Best bowling alleys, family recreation for indoor winter fun

By Aimee Barrows

Bowlers warm up before their league play at St. Charles Bowl in this undated Shaw Local file photo. (Sandy Bressner)

Winter doesn’t have to mean boredom.

Local bowling alleys have always been popular destinations year round, offering a nostalgic and fun-filled experience for everyone.

These family-friendly recreation locations and bowling alleys offer a perfect way to stay entertained and connected, even when the temperatures drop.

To find out where the best bowling alleys and family recreation spots are in Kane, McHenry and DeKalb counties and the Illinois Valley area, we asked our readers to weigh in for the 2024 Shaw Media Best of the Fox, Best of the Illinois Valley and DeKalb County’s Finest contests. The results are in, and here is where you’ll find the best bowling alleys and other family entertainment options in 2024, as voted by audiences.

Rollerskaters take to the rink during a winter break open skate session at Funway in Batavia.

Rollerskaters take to the rink during a winter break open skate session at Funway in Batavia. (Sandy Bressner)

BEST OF THE FOX

KANE COUNTY

Best Bowling Alley & Best Family Recreation: Funway, 1335 S. River St., Batavia

One of the Best: St. Charles Bowl, 2520 W. Main St., St. Charles

One of the Best: Bowlero, with nearby locations in Algonquin, Naperville, Roselle and Glendale Heights

McHENRY COUNTY

Best Bowling Alley: Raymond’s Bowl & Entertainment Center, 3960 N. Johnsburg Road, Johnsburg

One of the Best: Kingston Lanes Bowling & Sports Lounge, 1330 S. Eastwood Drive, Woodstock

One of the Best: 3D Sideouts Sports Tavern, 4018 W. Roberts Road, Island Lake

Best Family Recreation: Twisted Limits Escape Rooms, Axe Throwing and Laser Tag, 3735 W. Elm St., McHenry

One of the Best: Racetime Sim Racing & VR Escape Rooms, 810 Front St. D, McHenry

One of the Best: Sage YMCA, 701 Manor Road, Crystal Lake

DeKALB COUNTY’S FINEST

Best Bowling Alley: Mardi Gras Lanes, 1730 Sycamore Road, DeKalb

One of the Best: Four Seasons Sports, 1745 DeKalb Ave., Sycamore

One of the Best: NIU Huskie Den, 340 Carroll Ave., DeKalb

Best Family Recreation: Syco Escape Rooms, 1170 DeKalb Ave., Suite 107, Sycamore

BEST OF THE ILLINOIS VALLEY

Best Bowling Alley: Illinois Valley Super Bowl, 4242 Mahoney Drive, Peru

One of the Best: Ladd Lanes, 212 S. Main St., Ladd

One of the Best: Mendota Elks Lodge, 707 Indiana Ave., Mendota

The SceneBowlingEntertainmentSt. CharlesBataviaJohnsburgCrystal LakeWoodstockMcHenry
Aimee Barrows

Aimee Barrows

Aimee Barrows is the editor of The Scene, Shaw Local News Network's entertainment section. The Scene is your go-to destination for all things fun in Northern Illinois. Prior to The Scene, Aimee was the editor of the Kane County Chronicle for five years, and a freelance reporter for Shaw Media for four years.