Atlanta Indoor Activities

The Hawks migrated to Atlanta from St. Louis for the 1968–69 season and have since become a venerated local institution. Though the Atlanta club has never claimed an NBA title, they've appeared in the playoffs 27 times since 1969, stamping their punchcard frequently enough to receive free hot dogs for the whole team during their next postseason appearance. Since 1999, the Hawks have perched in the rafters of Philips Arena, where more than 18,000 fans cheer them to victory in the Eastern Conference's Southeast Division.

A household name on the Atlanta yoga circuit and a skilled teacher of the ancient art, Bethany Vaughn brings credibility to Red Hot Yoga. She houses the studio in a space formerly used by an antique flooring company, welcoming students to spread their mats over beautiful 100-year-old wide-plank pine flooring in the two expansive practice spaces. Bethany centers her fifth and favorite studio on a power-yoga style that's performed in a 105-degree setting. Three levels of power classes cater to practitioners of all abilities, helping those new to the practice to link the flowing poses with conscious breathing techniques while challenging more experienced stretchers with advanced postures. Red Hot Yoga's 4,200 square feet of space includes changing and shower facilities, eliminating the need to bring along a tent equipped with shelves.

All year round, Nelson Field Laser Tag's battle zones join forces to send warriors into simulated combat. A field peppered with camo forts and towers at the Green Bay location scintillates during winter months as groups of up to 16 players use the scopes on heavy-duty, military-grade laser guns to pick off opponents and point out mustard stains on a teammate's pants. Meanwhile, unfolding across outdoor combat arenas, paintball and airsoft squads dip, dash, and dive behind natural and manmade barriers. Seven woodball fields camouflage matches amid troves of trees, and on an urban combat field, shooters utilize 19 buildings and one rogue hot-dog cart as shelter. Upon striking a truce, friends can reconvene at Nelson Field's onsite sports bars.

Though Nelson Field Laser Tag sometimes features a discounted price online, this Groupon still offers the best deal available.

At any given time of the day, Japan House may be experiencing a tranquil stillness as students quietly cycle through poses, or combat as students kick, punch, and strike padded opponents. A cultural, fitness, and wellness center, Japan House offers yoga, qigong, and Tai Chi classes that provide a physical, mental, and spiritual workout that’s also low impact, quiet, and relaxing. On the other hand, Kempo karate and jujutsu give workouts an extra punch–literally. The classes teach students offensive and defensive striking methods and takedowns to use as self-defense against bullies, attackers, and low-flying pigeons. Aikido, a non-violent form of self-defense, teaches students to use the attacker’s own force to throw them off balance and prevent an attack.

As children, two brothers witnessed firsthand the violence that can destroy a home. As adults, the vowed that their daughters would never suffer the same fate. That’s why they founded Divas In Defense, a safe haven for girls and women to learn self-defense techniques. At their personal-safety classes and self-defense workshops, healthy self-esteem and mental strength develop naturally as women learn how to use their own bodies or those of any nearby mannequins to defend themselves. Trainers hone simple strikes and kicks at beginner classes, which evolve into ground techniques at intermediate classes and defense against armed attackers at advanced classes. Their Girls Can Fight Too! program welcomes students as young as 7 to learn how to stave off bullying, date violence, and interact appropriately online, among other skills.