Growing up I loved going to Boomers
located near the entrance to I-95 in Boca Raton. Upon visiting
it again the last weekend I was struck by varied the activities
there are for the whole family to enjoy. When you walk in you
are immediately greeted by rows and rows of arcade machines. To
the right is the prize booth/welcome counter and to the left is
an indoor playground. There are family packages and each activity
can be purchased separately. When I was younger this place offered
the chance if I got straight A’s or at least four A’s
on my report card I would get a roll of tokens and a game pass
free.
Boomers’ has been constantly revamping and revitalizing
its area for the last several years. There was once a roller skating
rink and a second floor of more games. The second floor now has
a laser tag arena and the rink has a wall-climbing section.
Like the article suggests on www.whitehutchinson.com/leisure/familyctr
Boomers has always put the emphasis on kids and kid entertainment.
The indoor portion of Boomers is only half the fun. Outside there
is a bumper boat pond, mini-golf course, go-cart track and a long
row of batting cages. Usually the weekends are the most crowded
but you can usually go on the attractions after about 30 minutes
or so. Food has never been a draw at the center and the pizza
and hot dogs are of only a fair quality.
There aren’t any places inside for people to sit. The only
place to relax is outside where there a few table and chairs set
up. People are meant to wonder around and look at all the things
to do in the center. The laser tag area is on a first come, first
serve basis and kids usually run upstairs to do it first. They
can go play on teams or go into a free-for-all. I found it fascinating
that some of the children took on the role of leader within their
groups without being told to do so. The rules are listed on the
outside of the laser tag area usually the kids are already planning
their strategy before suiting up and going inside.
Boomers has everything a child could want at a recreation center;
physical, mental and social fun for kids and teenagers alike.
Like the White Hutchinson article describes it combines the elements
of an indoor-outdoor center, multi-attractions and soft contained
center along with a casual dining experience. There are no cutesy
characters or childish elements in the building except for the
large cartoon kangaroo mascot on the wall. It is not uncommon
to see a teenager and a child about 7 playing the same game with
both doing very well. Business is doing well at Boomers which
is remarkable because there are little advertisements on TV or
in the newspapers. Word of mouth is very good and going there
it is obvious to see why.
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