Enjoy your stay in Rochester!
ROCHESTER SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA & CHORALE
February
Latin Love, Saturday February 18, 7:30pm, Mayo Civic Center Presentation Hall
March
We'll Always Have Paris, Saturday March 24, 7:30pm, Mayo Civic Center Presentation Hall
For Ticket info Call: 507-328-2222, www.rochestersymphony.org
When the weather outside is frightful, there is plenty of fun to be had in Rochester indoor funhouses
By Penny Marshall
Looking for something fun to do indoors to help ease the winter ho-hums? Or maybe you’ve added “try something new” to your resolution list for the new year. Regardless of your age, there are a number of fun activities to help you climb out of your cabin fever, bounce away the winter blues and skate your way to spring.
PRAIRIE WALLS CLIMBING GYM
Wall climbing is adventurous and challenging—and fun. Prairie Walls Climbing Gym has climbers from age 3 to 65+ years old and with 15 experienced staff to educate and assist, climbers enjoy the sport in a controlled and supervised environment.
More than 10,000 square feet of highly featured climbing surface are available for first-time and experienced climbers.
“As a workout, climbing is great for building strength and flexibility,” says Dave Brandt, owner. “And since the complexity of climbing movement is almost infinite and much of the challenge involves problem solving, you tend not to get bored. You’re flexing your mind as well as your muscles.”
There’s also the thrill of victory experienced when making it to the top of a climb.
If you’re an interested first-time climber, contact Prairie Walls to find out what’s going to work best for you relative to experience and age. For newbies, an introduction class ($35) is required that includes two hours of hands-on participation with an instructor. You also get a free pass for a return visit. Climbing gear ( about $10) is available for rent.
If climbing has tickled your interest but you’re still a bit uncertain, stop by Prairie Walls and visit the mezzanine area that overlooks the main climbing walls. Perhaps climbing will be just the exhilaration and challenge you’ve been seeking.
4420 19th Street NW, 507-292-0511, www.prairiewalls.com
November –April: Tues.-Fri.: 5–10pm, Sat: 12-8pm, Sun: 1–6pm, May–October: Tues. –Fri.: 5–10pm, Sat: 12–8pm.
BOUNCE WORLD
Kids, parents and grandparents all seem to enjoy the carefree fun of bouncing.
“We welcome kids of all ages to the safe and supervised environment of Bounce World,” says
Kari McKenzie, owner. We have carnival games, a Fun House Maze and the very popular Gyro Ball or human space ball.”
The Gyro Ball is modeled after the same simulator used to train astronauts. This popular one- person ride gives a no-gravity feel while speed is operator controlled. Inflatables are rotated so there’s always something new in the 15,000 square feet of play land.
Accommodations are available for private parties and a concession/snack area with pizza, chips, ice creams and sodas will recharge bouncers and guests. Visitors can also take advantage of the upstairs lounge featuring free high-speed wireless internet access and large screen televisions with open-air views of the bounce floor.
BOUNCE WORLD RATES:
Mon. –Fri.: 10–3 daily special, $6.50 includes snack and drink Mon. –Thurs. after 3pm: $6.50 Fri. after 3pm through Sun.: $8.50
4430 19 Street NW ? 507-316-0788, www.bounceworldmn.com, Open Daily: Mon.–Thurs.: 10am–8pm, Fri.–Sat: 10am–10pm, Sun.: 12–8pm.
ROCHESTER RECREATION CENTER
Whether you’re a beginner or expert, ice skating in doors is often more fun when you don’t have bundle up to brave the harsh winter elements. Rochester Recreation Center has two, 85-foot by 200-foot ice rinks available for recreational ice skating (and hockey) with reasonable rates.
Skate rental is $2, Skate Admission: Adult (19+) $4, Youth (5-18) $3, Children 5 and under free with paid adult. Call or check the website for daily ice rink schedules.
30 rochester indoor funhouses www.rochestervisitor.com
HOUSE OF BOUNCE
House of Bounce hosts some of the tallest and largest inflatable rides in the area, as well as two-story laser tag and an arcade. Imagine sliding down the tail or belly of a 28-foot dragon, playing Wrecking Ball as you try to knock another player off their stand by throwing a ball, playing Hot Potato, Air Shot, Princess Castle, Bungee Run, Pirate Ship or Monkey Jump (you can do flips in a harness 20 feet in the air).
“This is the place where fun becomes a reality for all ages,” says owner Ed Hiatt.“Plus you get exercise as well.”
The kitchen serves pizza, subs, cheese curds, fries, onion rings, deep fried green beans or pickles, and includes slushy machines, soda, coffee and cappuccino. Facilities are also available for private parties.
Check out the calendar of weekly and special events on House of Bounce website.
HOUSE OF BOUNCE RATES: Open Bounce: $7.50, Laser Tag (3 hrs): $15.95 Toddler Time: $3, Toddler Time with Kids Meal: $6 Open Bounce & Monkey Jump: $8.95, Laser Tag (one game): $4.95 Everything Package (unlimited Bounce & Monkey Jump, 3 hours of Lazer Tag): $19.95
6301 Bandel Road NW, 507-292-0372, www.rochesterhouseofbounce.com, Open Daily: Mon.-Thurs.: noon–8:30pm, Fri.: 9am –10pm, Sat.: 10an –10pm, Sun.: noon–8pm.
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