Things To Do In Marion

Cleaved through a dense forest of trees within Wapsipinicon State Park and situated along a bend in the river of the same name, the park’s nine-hole golf course awaits golfers of all skill levels. The course stretches to 3,187 yards, challenging players with tight fairways lined by dense foliage. The history-steeped course opened in 1923, and its clubhouse followed a year later, built entirely by prison labor with rock from the river bluffs, white-oak logs hauled by horse-drawn bobsleds, and a fireplace made with the world's only fireproof stones.

ActivEdge Fitness Club's experienced fitness gurus shepherd clients toward a tighter body with two stories worth of cardio and weight equipment, an ample number of group classes, a basketball court, and a 25-meter lap pool. Gain a better understanding of your overall well-being with a health screen, a preliminary fitness assessment that utilizes resistance and balance tests, optional body-fat measurements, and a trainer consultation to calculate an individualized plan for achieving physical goals. Then guests can put their plans into action by piloting more than 50 cardio machines in workout zones equipped with several flat-screen televisions. A variety of group classes, which include Kardio Kickboxing and the pool-based Nautical Noodles, confuse muscles much more effectively than performing a triathlon in zero gravity or telling sinews they were adopted. While adults enjoy postworkout tanning, the kids' club's mini basketball court lets active little ones exercise away pent-up energy and mimic legendary video-game character Michael Jordan.

It may sound clichéd, but ask the staff members at The Play Station about their most memorable experience, and they'll probably say a new one happens every day. Specifically, it's the moment when a child walks in, sees the three-level play center, and lets out a gasp of excitement. The 12,000-square-foot facility's tube slides, ball pits, and other recreational equipment blossomed from the owners' relatively simple idea: create a place where our kids can be active whenever it's yucky outside. Today, kids 12 and younger climb, crawl, and slide through the play center or hit the game room to win tickets redeemable for prizes such as toys and an all-inclusive weekend in Moon Vegas.

While kids expend their energy, parents can relax nearby and socialize, watch television, or enjoy a menu of snacks, such as mozzarella sticks, grilled cheese sandwiches, and nachos. The Play Station's crew includes a team that organizes children's parties and books the facility for field trips, fundraisers, and private rentals.

A family-owned paradise of 10-pin punishment since 1972, the friendly atmosphere at Lancer Lanes promotes spirited competition for alley cats of all ages and abilities. Prospective strike pilots strap on their slick slippers and take to the lanes, guiding spherical saucers towards pin-shaped invaders on 1 of 24 hardwood runways. Bumpers are on hand to level the playing corridor for pint-sized players, while automatic scoring keeps track of points gained, aiding both arithmophobics and those just scared of pencils. While winter ushers in nightly leagues at 6 p.m., buyers who nab today's deal can redeem their Groupon during any open bowling hours, including glow bowling on Friday and Saturday nights.

Class A–affiliates of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, the Cedar Rapids Kernels field a roster of tomorrow's major leaguers on the fields of today. Led by manager Brent Del Chiaro and coaches Mike Eylward and Trevor Wilson, the band of savvy sluggers is set to continue its tradition of charitable efforts by donating baseball after baseball to needy attendees in the stands. As Midwest League champions in 1988, 1992, and 1994, the Kernels are hungry for this year's title and will stop at nothing—the Kane County Cougars included—to wrest it from the well-oiled gloves of wannabe winners.

The Science Station illuminates the minds of children and adults on the workings of science, math, and technology with hands-on exhibits, puzzles, and games. Play paleontologist with the Dinosaur Exploration Station, complete with time tunnel and dig box, or visit the Math Mania room to help kids hone number skills through games. In the Animal Clinic, tots can play doctor with faux-furry friends and learn how to care for real ones. The Science Station houses a Museum Store with education games for ongoing imagination stimulation. The Science Station is open Tuesday–Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.