Bowling in and near Chicago, IL

The storied history of Chicago Bowling dates back to the mid 1800s, by which time the Windy City had already licensed five bowling alleys. That number grew to more than 200 by 1910, and soon bowling tournaments were one of the premier Chicago events. One of the best places to visit in Chicago still harkens back to these classic days of strikes and spares: Lakeview’s Southport Lanes. One of the city’s oldest alleys, it still has humans, not machines, resetting the pins. More modern alleys such as Diversey River Bowl are a good bet for players looking to join a league or just find fun things to do in Chicago. (The alley hosts plenty of open bowling times, a pool hall, and a pizzeria.)