Alright, so the other weekend, the house was feeling a bit too small, you know? Kids were getting restless, and I figured we needed to get out and do something. We ended up deciding to check out Hickory Falls Family Entertainment Center. I’d heard a bit about it here and there, mostly from other parents looking for ways to burn off their kids’ energy.
Getting There and First Look
So, we piled into the car and made the drive over. Finding the place wasn’t too hard. Pulling up, it looked pretty much like you’d expect – a big ol’ building, probably seen a fair bit of traffic. Parking was a bit packed, typical for a weekend, I guess, but we managed to snag a spot after a lap or two. First impression walking in? Loud. Yeah, that’s the main thing. The sound of arcade games, kids yelling, that whole symphony of a family fun place. It wasn’t dirty or anything, just… busy. The air had that smell of popcorn and, I don’t know, excitement?
Diving into the Activities
The first thing the kids bee-lined for was, of course, the arcade section. They’ve got a whole bunch of games, old and new. Some of those flashy ones that spit out a million tickets, and a few of the older video games that I actually recognized. We loaded up a card with some credits – these things ain’t cheap, let me tell you. Watched the kids run around like crazy, trying to win enough tickets for some tiny plastic toy. It’s the same story everywhere, but they love it, so what are you gonna do?
After they’d had their fill of flashing lights and digital sounds, we decided to try out the go-karts. This was something I was actually looking forward to a little. We got suited up, or well, got our helmets on anyway. The track was decent, not too big, not too small. The karts themselves? They weren’t exactly Formula One racers, probably for the best with all the different skill levels on the track. Had a bit of fun bumping around, trying to outmaneuver the young ones. It was a good laugh, though the ride felt a bit short for what we paid.
We also took a swing at the laser tag. Now, that’s always a bit of chaotic fun. They give you the vest and the laser gun, explain the rules real quick, and then it’s into the dark, glow-in-the-dark arena. I mostly just stumbled around trying to find good hiding spots while the kids were zipping past, actually trying to score points. It gets your heart pumping a bit, that’s for sure. We came out sweaty and smiling, so I’d call that a win.
What Else Was There?
They had some other stuff too, like a climbing wall and some stuff for really little kids, but mine were mostly interested in the big-ticket items. The place was definitely buzzing. Lots of families, birthday parties going on, you know the scene. Staff seemed to be mostly younger folks, some looked a bit overwhelmed, others were doing a decent job keeping things moving. Can’t say anyone was overly friendly, but they weren’t rude either. Just doing their jobs, I reckon.
Fueling Up
Eventually, all that running around made us hungry. They have a little snack bar area, serving the usual suspects: pizza, hot dogs, soda, that kind of thing. We grabbed a couple of slices of pizza and some drinks. The pizza was… well, it was amusement park pizza. Filled a hole, you know? A bit on the greasy side, and definitely priced for a captive audience, but it did the trick. We weren’t there for a gourmet meal, after all.
Heading Home and Final Thoughts
After a few hours, we were all pretty tuckered out. The kids had their little baggies of cheap prizes from the arcade, and everyone seemed pretty content. We cashed out our game card, which still had a few odd credits on it – they always get you that way, don’t they?
So, what’s the final word on Hickory Falls? It’s a place to take the kids for an afternoon to let them run wild and have some fun. It’s got a good variety of things to do, which is nice. It’s not gonna be the cheapest day out, that’s for sure, especially if you’re doing multiple activities and eating there. But for a once-in-a-while kind of thing, it served its purpose. The kids had a blast, and that’s mostly what I was aiming for. Would I rush back next weekend? Probably not. But if we’re looking for that kind of entertainment again down the line, sure, I’d consider it. It is what it is – a family entertainment center that does what it says on the tin.
