Things to Do in Bloomfield

Since 1973, archers have lined up to hone their shots at the front of Victory Archers' 12 regulation-size lanes. The arrow-slingers who line up there aren’t just a random collection of archers––though the indoor range does hold open shooting on Wednesday nights––but a community of archers drawn from leagues, lessons, and a group of members who team up not only to shoot, but also to maintain the facility. The real-world results from the community-based lessons and sans-leotard practice sessions have been impressive, as evidenced by the 17-point buck and other wild trophies that have been felled by club members.

Groups of tourists walk past the current dwelling places of some of the area’s notable residents, such as Addison Cairns Mizner, Paul Ilyinsky, and Henry Morrison Flagler. Unlike the case with traditional celebrity-sighting tours, however, all of these men died decades ago. Their spooky hauntings frame the path of Ghosts of Palm Beach’s walking tours, during which knowledgeable guides share local folklore and paranormal encounters. Stops can include everything from Palm Beach Town Hall to high-fashion shops such as Gucci, Chanel, and Saks Fifth Avenue, where the ghosts still try to buy handbags for a dollar and two bits.

Inflated structures, slides, and games fill the climate-controlled environs of the numerous BounceU locations that speckle the nation. At each site, staff members closely monitor all activities as little ones traverse obstacle courses or pull on oversized inflatable boxing gloves. The crew also invites parents to join in on the fun, letting them bounce alongside their kids or make sweeping edicts from atop a bouncy-castle throne.

In addition to open sessions, the indoor-play haven sets the stage for the Preschool Playdate program, where instructors lead games and activities. Special events include family-bounce night, which lets parents join in the bouncing or relax in the party room and do grownup things, such as eat marshmallows with a knife and fork.

Gatherings blossom into full-blown galas under the ministrations of Fun-4-All Entertainment’s party accoutrements, such as balloon artists, live bands, and cotton-candy machines. The party supply service’s portable miniature golf courses let putters perfect their strokes anywhere, and its vast inflatable screens hook up to DVD-players or gaming consoles to furnish outdoor movie nights or gaming tournaments. Further party accessories nestle in Fun-4-All’s supply shop, which includes a range of items from noisemakers and rainbow-hued hats to sunglasses ideal for the best party activity of all, safely staring into your favorite lamp.

Green Flag Driving Experience deals in adrenaline. At its racetrack, novice drivers and advanced rubber burners alike get to feel the heady rush of epinephrine as they reach speeds in excess of 90 mph while manning the cockpit of a racecar. Drivers choose their rides from a fleet of Winged TQ Midgets or a selection of Legends cars, 5/8-scale replicas of autos from the Golden Age of American engineering when men were men and cars were powered by miniature locomotives. Before sliding behind their chosen wheel, each driver goes through an introduction and orientation that cover safety skills and handling basics. Then the Green Flag Driving Experience instructors keep watch as their pupils don provided helmets and suits, buckle up, and hit the pavement. Afterward, the instructors provide a thorough critique that helps the budding Andrettis maneuver with even more finesse on their next time around the track.

Having accrued 15 years of teaching experience, the staff members at Tennis Innovators prioritize exciting instruction and curriculums over barraging students with volley after volley. They appreciate the challenge of holding a child's interest and create fun drills for junior pupils, who can begin to learn racket-swinging techniques as early as age 3. The QuickStart and JuniorExtreme programs act as intriguing introductions to the sport for adolescents and work on improving their coordination, mobility, and athleticism, both on and off the court. In fact, they don't require a court to host their afterschool programs and will adapt lessons to fit any suitable space, such as a gymnasium or the least occupied patch of an in-use baseball diamond.

Classes aren't just for children—the staff hosts adult sessions aimed at improving overall game play and fitness in a supportive environment for fully formed humans of all skill levels. Staffers also lend their management expertise to neighborhood tennis clubs, providing guidance for hiring and training processes, court maintenance, and marketing.