Things to Do in Albuquerque

Leisure Bowl provides a clean, smoke-free environment for flinging heavy objects down lanes in a way that won't disrupt parades or injure tandem cyclists. Bowlers will enjoy honing their tossing techniques and pin-smashing prowess without building backyard lanes and attempting to convince census takers to reset the pins. In addition to enjoying the lustrous, buttery-smooth lanes, bowlers can grab tasty grub at JT’s Deli and Pizzeria, a refreshing pint at Ed’s Pub, and high-quality equipment at John Young's Pro Shop (none included with your Groupon, though).

Holiday Bowl’s shiny, modern pin farm features 32 lanes with automatic scoring and, for those bowlers still on their training balls, optional automatic bumpers. The family-friendly atmosphere extends to the blinking, flashing arcade complete with classics such as air hockey, Ridge Racer, and all the nostalgic light-gun-blasting games from youthful Saturday afternoons of yore.

Whether the name of the game is to have some family fun or to scream like a banshee, Cliff's Amusement Park has been the place to do it for more than 50 years. The first thing you'll notice as you drive up is the New Mexico Rattler, a 3,000-foot wooden roller coaster that twists and turns its way around the edges of the park and plunges—for a few terrifying seconds—into an underground tunnel. The Cliff Hanger makes an anticipation-building ascent before freefalling back to earth, and the SideWinder twirls passengers 80 feet into the air on a structure resembling Paul Bunyan's spare wagon wheel.

The jungle-themed WaterMania area lets youngsters climb like monkeys and race down slippery water slides. They also can enjoy slower-paced fun inside bumper cars, on the Tilt-A-Whirl, or during a leisurely trip around the park on an old-timey train.

Designed as an oasis of family fun, Putt-Putt Golf and Games entertains all ages with three 18-hole Putt-Putt Golf Courses, more than 50 arcade and prize-redemption games, and a snack bar packed with pizza and soda. On the outdoor courses, kids putt past giant tortoises and colorful mushrooms as adults hone their short games. Additionally, a game room rings with the bells and whistles of Fruit Ninja, Monster Drop, Deal or No Deal, Big Bass Wheel, Skee-Ball, and more, and a snack bar filled with treats makes the center a memorable birthday-party location or presidential-inauguration site.

Like the best prime-time reality shows, bowling sessions at Silva Lanes feature flashing lasers, friendly competition, and surprise celebrity guest stars. During daylight hours, a bank of bowling lanes entices players to bust some pins with friends or coworkers. After dark, the lanes’ black lights flicker to life and immerse bowlers in a cosmic environment reminiscent of life in the days when man still lived on the moon. When they’re not busy shooting in the region’s scenic locales, Hollywood celebrities have been known to visit the alley, with star players including Cobie Smulders and Samuel L. Jackson of The Avengers and Bryan Cranston of Breaking Bad.

The Funtastic Jumps crew brings smiles to adults and children alike with rentals of towering inflatable castles, bouncy water slides, and carnivals filled with dunk tanks and interactive games. After the team sets up the gear, kids can frolic amid colorful, themed bounce houses, or zap each other with laser-tag markers. A portable family movie night setup brings enormous screens and high-tech projectors to events, letting groups watch films or make detailed shadow puppets under the stars or at any venue. Funtastic Jumps' extensive arsenal of concessions also equips block parties or birthdays with the likes of cotton-candy machines and other vital party needs, such as chairs, tarps, and tables.