Apparently duckpin bowling is an east coast thing; this I didn’t know until recently. Most histories point to Baltimore for the origins of the sport. I grew up on duckpin bowling in Maryland, and it was always present – even traditional 10-pin alleys typically had a few duckpin lanes for the little ones or those who preferred that genre. It wasn’t until I moved to Ohio several years ago that I discovered that duckpin facilities were pretty much nonexistent outside of the the east coast. In fact, I’ve found it tough to find people off of the east coast who’ve even heard of duckpin bowling!
So, I was pleasantly surprised to discover the Fountain Square historic district in Indianapolis. Housed in the circa 1928 Fountain Square Theater Building, owners claim to have the only authentic duckpin bowling center in the midwest.
Not one, but two, duckpin allies grace multiple floors of this historic
building. Action Duckpin Bowling, on the fourth floor, is a circa 1920’s alley situated in original Art Deco fixtures and decor. It houses eight lanes. Bar and beverage service, along with snack bar items, are available at the Art Deco cafe and bar. Atomic Duckpin Bowl, in the basement, is done in authentic 50’s space-age style and contains seven lanes. It has a retro-themed snack bar for guests. Both Action duckpin and Atomic duckpin have impressive collections of memorabilia from their respective eras, and either one will take you on a heartily enjoyable time warp.
At one time a diner-style 50’s café filled one of the first floor commercial spaces; that’s now occupied by a more upscale eatery. A second restaurant and lobby bar also call the first floor home. But, it doesn’t stop there! A conference center and a bed-and-breakfast inn also call the theater building home.
Take time from your bowling adventure to enjoy the surrounding area. The Fountain Square historic district has a lot to offer to round out a visit. Their slogan, “funky, artsy, retro…anything but square” pretty much echoes an accurate tone regarding the area. It’s one of those urban enclaves that’s getting a lot of attention with the back-to-the-city set. Besides its being only about two miles from downtown Indianapolis, this trendy neighborhood offers visitors a meadery (mead is wine made from honey if you are not familiar with the term), art galleries, antique and thrift shops, along with additional eateries and lodging available to visitors.
Reservations for bowling are a strong idea since the number of lanes are limited. So, when you have an opportunity to visit Indianapolis, make sure to book a duckpin lane, and spend the rest of the day enjoying the eclectic Fountain Square area.
Fountain Square Theater Building
1105 Prospect Street, Indianapolis, IN 46203
317-686-6006
For more information on the Fountain Square historic district
http://www.discoverfountainsquare.com/index.cfm
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