March 2023 | Out-of-This-World
4 Out-of-This-World Bowling Alleys!
It is common knowledge that bowling has existed as a sport for over a millennium. From the Ancient Egyptians to the Native Hawaiians to today’s Gen Z, the human race has enjoyed the sport of bowling casually and competitively for as long as we can remember! But did you know that there have been instances of people taking bowling to new depths and, literally, to new heights?
1. The Ocean Floor
Ever wondered what it would be like to bowl at the bottom of the ocean? Well, the closest you can get is by going to Uncle Buck’s Fish Bowl and Grill! This restaurant comes complete with a full-service bar, a store, 12-bowling lanes, and a whopping 750 gallon saltwater aquarium with scores of beautiful tropical fish!
Bowling balls are characterized by a myriad of sea creatures (both real, and fantastical), and the bowling ball feeders come in the shapes of Great White Sharks and American Alligators.
2. Let it Snow
It may seem far fetched, but it’s 100% real! The southernmost bowling alley was once located at McMurdo Station on Ross Island, Antarctica. Built by the US Navy in 1961, Mactown Lanes, as it was affectionately known, sat inside one of two Seabee Quonset huts in the area. A modest 2-lane outfit, it was a very popular spot for individuals based in Antarctica for research, but unfortunately, was too expensive to maintain and therefore dismantled in 2010.
Cute and fun fact: stuffed penguins were used in place of bowling pins for the inauguration of the bowling alley when it was first set up. Check it out below!
3. Nothing Quite Like a Day at Sea!
The Norwegian Pearl Cruise Ship was the first of its kind to have a full-size bowling alley onboard upon its inception in 2006! Because of how popular it was, other Norwegian Cruise Ships began installing them too, and in 2010, the Norwegian Epic unveiled its six Brunswick Anvilane bowling lanes complete with automated scoring systems and pinsetters.
See a photo of the stunning alley below!
4. It’s a Bird, it’s a Plane, it’s…
Back in 1964, American Airlines wanted to promote their brand new, and quite massive, Boeing 707 cargo planes. Someone asked the question “could a bowling alley fit in here?” and that is how Operation AstroBowl was born! Manufactured by American Machine & Foundry, a 79-foot regulation lane (complete with automatic pin-setting equipment and gutters) was installed in the American Airlines jet freighter.
It took a mere 4 days, and members of the National All-Star Bowling Tournament were invited to play a game, 5-miles off the ground of John F. Kennedy International Airport.
So where would you rather bowl? In the sky? In the snow? Or under the sea? Send us a DM on Instagram @aieabowl to let us know!
Bowling Jumble
