Heartland View

Media Credit: Caryl Terry

Media Credit: Caryl Terry

Media Credit: Caryl Terry

Media Credit: Caryl Terry

Media Credit: Caryl Terry

Walk through the doors as your five senses switch to overload. Pins crash and music videos ring from big screen TVs that also provide sports fans their entertainment. Thunder Alley is a place for the young-at-heart. The aroma of french fries flares nostrils while people laugh loudly at the food court. Tires screech from the go-kart track and people wait in line to play arcade games. Activity is everywhere you look.

Thunder Alley, located in Omaha, Neb., is one of the top places for entertainment and fun in the area. Owner Ted Baer owns another bowling facility in Omaha, but said he thought Omaha was lacking a newer family entertainment center. Popular during this cold time of the year, Thunder Alley opened its doors in November of 2007.

"We are extremely busy during the winter months," Director of Marketing Heather Roberts said. "During the summer months attendance goes down, but people still come in because of the variety of attractions we offer."

Thunder Alley is most known for its bowling lanes, which are split down the middle by a full service bar. Twenty-four lanes are on the "traditional" bowling side and the remaining are on the "club" side. The club lanes feature couches, even larger televisions and continuous cosmic bowling. Bowling is charged per hour and the price depends on the time of day. Costs range from $14.99 to $24.99 per hour.

Bowlers say they like that cosmic bowling is available everyday because coming in with a big crowd brings the cost down.

Thunder Alley offers more than just their main attraction. Go-karts, laser tag, an arcade and the restaurant Twisterz.

The atmosphere satisfies customers and their stomachs, who can hang around the pool tables, bar, or fire pit while enjoying a meal. This restaurant isn't for the indecisive, providing the choice of American, Mexican or Italian menu items.

Thunder Alley is the first bowling alley to open in Omaha in twenty-five years. Join in the fun from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

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