Things to Do in Brookings

At County Fair Fun Company, kids excitedly tackle action-filled games and rides, then safely ricochet off the inflated surfaces of Technicolor bounce houses. A _Dora the Explorer_–themed inflatable packs slides, tropical trees, and huts into a cushy, educational wonderland, and inside a bounce castle, little ones can pretend they're inside one of King Arthur’s legendary bounce castles. Setting foot on solid ground, tykes make their way to the bumper-car arena, where circular vehicles offer easy steering, each crash eliciting shouts and laughter from drivers. Between bumper demolition derbies, children wander the labyrinthine tunnels and slides of County Fair's padded play dome, navigating tricky rolling platforms and shaky rope bridges to find a safe spot to exchange stock tips. Video games exercise hand-eye coordination for both kids and grownups, who can also lounge in County Fair's beer garden and sip on potent potables for an additional cost.

The play-calling chefs at Sports Page by Adrenaline devise a full-court press against hunger with a menu of American classics. The Gladiator Supreme pizza proves its might with pepperoni, sausage, beef, canadian bacon, mushrooms, green peppers, and olives. The ham-and-cheese calzone folds swiss, mozzarella, and cheddar cheeses with ham slices to create a handheld treat perfect for enjoying at a table or tossing like a frisbee into one lucky stranger’s mouth. Chefs also grill up juicy burgers, including the colossal Metropolitan burger with its two half-pound beef patties stuffed with cheese and then topped with more cheese.

For nearly a quarter century, Ultimate Golf & Academy founder Chad Westra has been instructing golfers of all abilities while developing original methods for improvement in his book and instructional DVD, The Ultimate Way. Through Chad's methods, golfers discover the components of a balanced swing, including the turn of the clubface and the point of impact. By focusing on clubface connection, the instructor asserts that golfers can develop natural swings attuned to their unique form and golf bag full of modified soup ladles. Ultimate Golf allows visitors to practice their swings on its 22-acre facility, which features a well-lit driving range, 19-hole miniature golf course, and digital golf simulator. The simulator allows golfers to play on digital replications of 100 legendary golf courses.

Bookended by the rippling waters of Lake Madison and Round Lake, The Lakes Golf Course’s nine-hole layout arches over 3,128 yards of rolling, lush terrain. Conscientious clubbers will spend time at the adjacent driving range before the round to prepare swings and motivate lazy golf carts in time for the first hole, a par 5, 533-yard monolith rated the course’s hardest hole. Throughout the layout, gentle elevation changes create the occasional tricky lie and give way to splendid views of the lakes and the surrounding countryside topography. Those looking to extend their golf outing to an overnight trip or romantic getaway with their sand-wedge can hunker down in the rustic but modern accommodations at The Lodge, or pitch a tent made of polo shirts at the Camping Grounds.

Course at a Glance:

• 9-hole, par 36 course
• Course rating of 72.2 (adjusted for 18-hole round)
• Slope rating of 121
• Three tee options

Since the first fairway drive in 1998, Northern Links Golf Course has presented players with nine holes of challenging and enjoyable golf. On the course's signature second hole, a 215-yard par 3, players must steer clear of the out-of-bounds road on the left and take necessary precautions to avoid a sunburned ball in order to conquer the island-style green. The 3,176-yard course offers a great opportunity for walking, though carts are also available.

Course at a Glance:

• Nine-hole, par 36 course
• Total length of 3,176 yards from the back tees
• Course rating of 35 from the back tees
• Course slope of 113 from the back tees