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Bowling in Des Moines, Iowa
If you want to go bowling in Des Moines Iowa there are several great bowling alleys and entertainment complexes. You’ll find many with arcades, full restaurants and bars, laser tag, and so much more. Check out our list below!
Take a look at these other fun guides of things to do in Des Moines:
- Arcades & Pinballs in Des Moines
- Ice Skating in Des Moines
- Roller Skating in Des Moines
- Where to Get Crafty in Des Moines, Iowa
- Indoor Play in Des Moines
Des Moines Bowling: Fun for Everyone
Bowling is a great activity to do with the entire family or with friends. You don’t need any particular gear or skills – you can just show up and roll the ball! It’s relatively inexpensive and you can rent bowling balls and shoes at any bowling alley.
Before heading to bowl, make sure you call to confirm their open bowling times and when they have lanes available. Don’t forget to check their party packages and specials.
A certificate to bowl is a great experience gift! Take a look at our giant list of Des Moines experiences to gift your loved ones in our ‘Des Moines Gift of Experience‘ guide.
Kids Bowl Free
Don’t forget about Kids Bowl Free offered every summer! The Kids Bowl Free program is nationally recognized, offering two free games of bowling daily to eligible kids all summer. Have a great time indoors on those hot summer days and it’s a great way to stay off screens this summer.
Air Lanes Bowling Center
4200 Fleur Drive, Des Moines; 515-285-8632
Air Lanes is a great place to have fun with the entire family. They also offer plenty of bumper bowling lanes just for the kids, and it’s a fun place to plan a birthday party! They offer lots of different party packages.
This Des Moines bowling alley also offers Galaxy Bowling! Heart-pumping music, black lights, spotlights, strobe lights and fog combine for a glow-in-the-dark bowling experience.
Backpocket Pin & Pixel
6205 Merle Hay Road, Johnston; 515-666-1281
Duckpin bowling is newer to Des Moines and the best place to give it a try is at Backpocket Pin & Pixel! Duckpin bowling is very similar to regular bowling except the lanes are shorter, the pins are fatter, and the balls are small. The lanes are also raised a bit. Kids will love this different way of bowling.
B-Roll Bowling
1580 SW Market St, Ankeny; 515-423-0979
B-Roll Bowling is located in B&B Theatres in Ankeny, Iowa, an entertainment venue where you can plan an entire afternoon or evening! Purchase tickets to a ScreenPlay! movie, play games in their fun arcade, go bowling, and grab some food and drink. Reservations are highly recommended!
Bowlerama Lanes
1313 E Diehl Avenue, Des Moines; 515-285-2811
Bowlerama Lanes offers open bowling seven days a week for a fun time. This bowling alley in Des Moines also offers bowling leagues, tournaments, and birthday parties. Hungry while you are bowling? Bowlerama offers great food and drinks at their sports bar.
Gameday Lanes
3800 Merle Hay Rd Ste 505 Des Moines; 515-630-0122
Gameday Lanes is located in Merle Hay Mall. They offer various days to bowl and the Gameday Restaurant and arcade is located nearby in the mall. It’s a great choice for an entire day of family fun.
Great Escape – The Ultimate Experience
655 NE 56th Street #100, Des Moines; 515-263-1700
Great Escape is an entire entertainment venue full of unique fun. They offer laser tag, bowling, cosmic bowling, an arcade, virtual reality attractions, food, a bar, and more. It’s the perfect place for parties and a day of entertainment for all ages. (Although it has a Des Moines address, Great Escape is located in Pleasant Hill, Iowa.)
Putts & Pins
6920 EP True Parkway Suite 105 in West Des Moines; 515-850-0207
Putts & Pins is a fun place to play! Enjoy Duckpin bowling along with a high-tech round of miniature golf. Great food and drinks too. The entire family will have fun playing.
Spare Time Des Moines
340 Jordan Creek Pkwy, West Des Moines; 515-414-2824
This new family entertainment venue has opened for bowling in Des Moines and is loaded with fun! Spare Time Entertainment is located in West Des Moines near Jordan Creek Town Center. Enjoy bowling, arcade games, escape rooms, food and drink, and much more. My family loved our fun experience at Spare Time Des Moines!
Uncle Buck’s Fishbowl & Grill
1000 Bass Pro Drive NW, Altoona; 515-957-5400
Bowl, eat, and drink! Uncle Buck’s FishBowl and Grill is located in the Bass Pro Shops in Altoona, Iowa. Make an entire day of fun exploring the Bass Pro Shops, then grab lunch and bowl before you leave.
Val Lanes Recreation Center
100 Ashworth Road, West Des Moines; 515-274-0493
Val Lanes offers open bowling, great leagues, and a good time. Take a look at their website for prices and open bowling times.
Warrior Lanes
190 SE Laurel Street, Waukee; 515-987-4840
Warrior Lanes is your party place headquarters in Waukee, Iowa! They offer bowling birthday packages, great specials, Kids Bowl Free, a free program during the summer months, and so much more!
Do not miss out on their monthly, family-friendly bowling events with fun themes! They include bowling for 2-hours, shoe rental, a pitcher of pop, pizza, and tons of fun.
Erin Huiatt
Erin is a reliable resource and stepping stone for women and families to find support and make connections within our community. She wants families to feel confident to reach out and ask for help and advice to get pointed in the right direction. She enjoys traveling and exploring with her two children in tow!