Theme & Amusement Parks in Niles

For their willingness to brave the winter waters of Lake Michigan, the hosts of NBC’s Today Show called the crew at Third Coast Surf Shop a “philosophical group of hardy souls.” The surfers have accepted their lot in life with cheer, working with what they have by pioneering the art of lake surfing. They’ve also shown up on the CBS's The Early Show, National Public Radio, and Newsweek in their effort to expose Midwesterners to surfing and paddleboarding and expound upon the advantages of the Great Lakes as a surfing venue. Along the sweeping shorelines, six quadrillion gallons of fresh water rise up in wind-generated waves, which are more manageable for beginners than the larger swells in the ocean and less likely to contain depressing submarines tangled in plastic bags. When not fitting patrons with paddleboards, the team of instructors leads camps, where young surfers find their sea legs, construct sand castles, and play soccer while building social skills.:

Multiple rows of pinball machines manufactured from the early 1960s through today shelter plungers and flippers as they fling the silver spheres toward illumined targets. Entertaining guests between bouts of pinball, air hockey, and abundant arcade classics—such as Centipede, Ms. Pac-Man, and Asteroids —await with flashing lights infused with friendly competition. Klassic Arcade celebrates its impressive stock of more than 100 different varieties of glass-bottled soda pop during its annual Midwest Soda Pop Festival, which combines pop tastings and judging with live music and games. The arcade also spearheads the annual Pinball at the 'Zoo festival, at which attendees can play more than 100 arcade and pinball games for free in between tournaments, auctions, and seminars with the original 8-bit Mario and Luigi. Completing the lineup of exciting diversions is the outdoor M-40 Raceway track, which hosts off-road RC racers.

Canlan Ice Sports has three NHL-sized rinks, and all three receive their fair share of carvings during professional skating lessons, open-skate sessions, and high-intensity hockey leagues. Of the many offerings, the center’s weeklong hockey camps develop trainees' agility and shooting skills, just as its three-on-three youth-hockey leagues pit one inadequate barbershop quartet against another. Regardless of the reason for arrival, visitors can always grab food and refreshments at the Thirsty Penguin, a full-service restaurant and bar that overlooks the rinks and doubles as a secret meeting spot for Batman’s roundest nemesis. For off-ice excitement, guests can visit the inflatable playground, freely traversing the double-sided slide and other components comprising the bouncy playland.

Putt-Putt Fun Center combats the doldrums with the triumvirate of putt-putt golf, go-karts, and arcade games. The center boasts three themed putt putt golf courses, one of which rumbles the ground under golfers’ feet with a volcano that regularly spews a ball of fire 20 feet into the air after the sun sets. Meanwhile in the Race Zone, go-karts zip around a track designed to accommodate all ages of driver, and double-seated family karts allow underage riders to tag along. The arcades allows guests to continue the simulation of extreme experiences with games such as Big Buck Hunter Safari, which helps players to feel the hunter-gatherer’s feeling of elation at a kill or shame at having to return home with rock stew. After a long day of activity, the center’s Snack Shack facilitates the scarfing of pizza, hot dogs, and soft pretzels, which can be washed down with a bottled Coke.:m]]

Looking to put a new spin on a classic family activity, the minds behind Glowgolf decided to give the game a phosphorescent update. Incandescent courses place friends and family amid a tropical-fantasy golf world of neon orange, green, and violet surroundings. Players putt luminous orbs through vibrant treasure chests and glimmering windmills while negotiating tricky obstacles near walls portraying black-light-lit aquatic scenes. With more than 20 locations spread over 10 states, Glowgolf's fluorescent labyrinths challenge human players and traveling gnomes.