January 3, 2019
16 Fun + Unique Entertainment Venues in Ann Arbor
We may be known for our academic prowess here in Ann Arbor, but that doesn’t mean we don’t know how to have fun! The city is filled with unique entertainment venues of all kinds, from video game arcades to extreme sports destinations.
Here, you can experience indoor skydiving, play pickleball with friends, release stress in rage rooms, and solve clues in escape rooms. You can also try ziplining, axe throwing, or the creative mix of football and bowling — and if you’re nostalgic, grab some quarters for the arcade!
Consider these exciting and unconventional entertainment spots throughout Ann Arbor for your next family outing, date night, birthday celebration, or team-building experience. The possibilities are endless!
Axe Ventura
Over the past few years, we’ve seen axe-throwing studios opening up all across the country, and that includes Ann Arbor! Axe Ventura opened up just a few years ago, offering Ann Arborites the opportunity to throw axes at marked targets. We know what you’re thinking, but this sport is completely safe! Each party is accompanied by a guide that will teach you and your group how to throw safely and effectively to hit the target every time. They also have a bar so you can enjoy beer and other spirits while you play! Click here to make your reservation for either one or two hours of axe-throwing fun.
Whirlyball
41550 Grand River Avenue, Novi
Experience the exhilaration of WhirlyBall Michigan in Novi, where WhirlyBall, the one-of-a-kind mechanized team sport that blends elements of basketball, hockey, and jai alai, comes to life. Players ride electrically powered WhirlyBugs, maneuvering swiftly across a 4,000-square-foot court to score through strategically placed 15-inch holes on hanging backboards. Referees guide the action, while private party rooms, full-service bars, a gaming midway, and a lounge with billiards and flat-panel TVs await off the court. With 20,000 square feet available, WhirlyBall Michigan is primed to host groups from 10 to 400, setting the stage for unforgettable corporate events, celebrations, and gatherings of all kinds!
Wolverine Pickleball
119 Jackson Industrial Drive, Ann Arbor
The pickleball craze has certainly reached Ann Arbor as well — and Wolverine Pickleball stands as the fastest-growing pickleball community in the Midwest. With 8 indoor courts nestled within a 17,500-square-foot warehouse, the facility offers a welcoming space for pickleball enthusiasts. Whether you’re a novice or a pro, Wolverine Pickleball provides unmatched opportunities to learn, compete, and connect. As they break ground on an innovative new facility in 2023, their community is poised to redefine leisure with unique dining options, outdoor activities, and a vibrant atmosphere. Stay in the loop by joining their newsletter and be part of this exciting journey!
iFly
26975 Adell Center Drive, Novi
Ever wanted to go skydiving, but not sure you could handle the fear of jumping from thousands of feet in the air? At iFly in Novi, you can experience the sensation of freefalling in a safe and controlled indoor environment, as powerful vertical wind tunnels simulate the feeling of skydiving. Whether you’re a seasoned flyer or a first-timer, iFly offers an unforgettable adventure for all ages! With expert instructors, state-of-the-art facilities, and a commitment to safety, iFly provides an adrenaline-pumping experience that will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the art of flight. Book your indoor skydiving experience now!
Planet Rock
Both beginner and experienced climbers can find fun challenges and learning opportunities at Planet Rock! As Ann Arbor’s premier indoor rock-climbing gym, Planet Rock offers more than 25,000 square feet of climbing surface, a full training area, and a giant bouldering mushroom. Their second location in Madison Heights offers a 15-meter official competition speed climbing wall and an ice climbing training area as well. Special programs for children ages 4–19 encourage body awareness, coordination and problem-solving skills, and each program includes free belay lessons for parents and free climbing while their child is in class! First time at Planet Rock? Check out this page, which has a waiver form and everything you need to know before your visit.
TreeRunner Adventure Park
6200 Drake Road, West Bloomfield Township
Embark on an unforgettable journey of thrill and excitement at TreeRunner West Bloomfield Adventure Park, the premier aerial adventure destination in the area. Recognized as Michigan’s top zip lining and climbing venue in 2019, the park offers an extraordinary array of experiences. With 250 exhilarating obstacles, 47 zip lines, and 6 levels of difficulty (7 with Junior Park), adventure knows no bounds. Nestled on the serene Pebble Creek Watershed within the Jewish Community Campus, the park is a haven of natural beauty and wildlife all around. Whether you’re an experienced adventurer or a first-time explorer, the park caters to all skill levels, making it an ideal venue for celebrations, team-building, school outings, and more!
Decode
3170 Packard Street, Ann Arbor + 16 North Washington Street, Ypsilanti
As one of Michigan’s top escape games, Decode offers some of the most interesting and complex escape rooms in the state — and they have facilities in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and coming soon, Detroit! In Ypsilanti, their facility offers two different games: The Aurora Society and The Library. And in Ann Arbor, you can choose to play Around the World in 80 Days or Trouble in Paradise — and await the return of their popular outdoor experience called Drive-In Adventure. Book your temporary “stay” in one of these rooms if you dare!
Destruction Depot
11048 Hi Tech Drive, Whitmore Lake
Have you ever just wanted to break stuff? There really is no better way to release frustration than throwing things across the room, but that can get pretty messy (not to mention, expensive) fast. Enter Destruction Depot in Whitmore Lake, a “rage room” that gives you the rare opportunity to smash anything and everything with the tool of your choosing. Locals donate items like broken computers, old glass figurines, furniture and more that they are no longer using, giving you the chance to work out your stress with a crowbar, baseball bat, hammer and more. And the best part? You don’t have to clean up the mess!
Knockerball
Are you looking for a sport that is just as funny as it is fun to play? Knockerball in Livonia gives you and your family or friends the opportunity to don inflatable padding and knock each other around while running around an indoor field. This sport looks super silly but is also a great team-building exercise, forcing you to work together with your teammates and get the soccer ball into the other team’s net. Knockerball also offers rentals of knockerballs, Nerf wars, soccer darts, and more if you want to add some more fun to your upcoming event!
Zap Zone
4095 Carpenter Road, Ypsilanti
Relive your childhood with a good old-fashioned laser tag battle. And there’s no better place to play this exciting team activity than Zap Zone in Ypsilanti! Voted the #1 Laser Tag Center in Michigan, Zap Zone’s laser tag arena will have you and your group running, dodging, rolling and shooting lasers at the opposing team. If you’re looking for even more fun at Zap Zone, don’t worry! They also offer hundreds of arcade games, bumper cars, a VR Zone, VR rides, and more.
Pinball Pete’s
1214 South University Avenue, Ann Arbor
Step into a world of nostalgic arcade delight at Pinball Pete’s, an iconic Ann Arbor institution that has been captivating enthusiasts for more than 30 years. Spend your quarters along the entire wall of pinball machines, participate in epic video game battles, and engage in friendly competition with games of pool or air hockey. Born from the arcade resurgence of the 1970s, Pinball Pete’s stands as a Mid-Michigan treasure, boasting two locations – the flagship hub in Ann Arbor and another in East Lansing. From the timeless allure of vintage pinball classics to the cutting-edge excitement of modern releases, there’s a machine to match every player’s preference. Embrace the thrill of state-of-the-art arcade games or bask in the nostalgia of retro gems, with an ever-changing inventory that promises something new on each visit. Beyond pinball and arcade delights, the adventure continues with dancing, racing, and redemption games that offer a chance to win tickets for coveted prizes!
The Fowling Warehouse
3050 Washtenaw Avenue, Ypsilanti
Fowling — or football bowling — has become super popular in Michigan over the past few years. This unique sport is a mix between football, bowling and cornhole with the goal of knocking down your opponent’s pins before they knock down yours! You can try this exciting sport for yourself at The Fowling Warehouse, which recently expanded to Ypsilanti. You can show up for open play and play just $12 per person for unlimited play or reserve your lane for up to two hours if you have up to 10 people. There’s a full bar on site serving up mixed drinks, beer, wine and non-alcoholic drinks, and you are welcome to bring your own food or have it delivered!
Revel and Roll
1950 South Industrial Highway, Ann Arbor
Feel like a kid again with some old-fashioned fun at the bowling alley. Revel and Roll has 27 bowling lanes featuring black lights, soft lounge seats, and large HD video walls displaying everything from live sports and music videos to classic family films. But Revel and Roll has so much more in store, including billiards tables, arcade games, and a full sports bar. We recommend going on a Wednesday for half-priced arcade games or on Sundays after 8 p.m. for arcade card deals and $4.69 games of bowling and shoe rentals!
The Tailgate Garage
Interested in several of the above-mentioned sports and activities? What if we told you you don’t have to choose just one? The Tailgate Garage in Canton is your one-stop-shop for fun and entertainment, with several different attractions to appease just about every interest. Here, you can try football bowling or axe throwing, play bubble soccer or archery tag, experience virtual reality games or a golf simulator — or do a bit of everything! And of course, while you’re in between activities, you can fuel up with a bite to eat or a refreshing drink. Pricing varies depending on the activities you’d like to do — and packages are available if you want to experience multiple things.
Launch
800 West Eisenhower Parkway, Ann Arbor
Experience a new dimension of active entertainment at Launch, a destination that transcends the ordinary trampoline park experience. Tailored to cater to all ages, Launch boasts an array of premier attractions, ensuring an experience like no other. Scale the rock climbing wall, dive into the ninja course, engage in epic battles in the battle pit, unleash your dodgeball skills, conquer the launch pad, aim for slam dunks in basketball, or simply bounce your way across the trampoline courts. Pricing varies, from the all-inclusive “Supercharged,” to “Charged Up,” which offers a variety of different attractions, and “Loaded,” which is great for starters or those on a time crunch.
Putterz
2675 Washtenaw Avenue, Ypsilanti
Is there anything more fun than spending the afternoon playing a round of putt-putt at a local mini golf course? Putterz in Ypsilanti offers everything from a large game room and batting cages to a 54-hole golf course. Play one game for $12, two games for $15, or three games for $18 — and every Tuesday is All-You-Can-Play Day! Putterz is an excellent place for birthday parties, featuring 18 holes of golfing fun, plates, napkins, utensils and table cloths, unlimited soft drinks, up to four large pizzas, and two hours in their private decorated party room or picnic area.
Have a Blast!
What unique sport or activity are you going to experience first?
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