Have you been to the City Forum yet? If you haven’t, what are you waiting for?? One of Clarksville’s top spots for family entertainment, you can find the Forum behind Miss Lucille's off exit 11. Whether you are trying to escape the sweltering heat of the summer or dark afternoons of winter, The City Forum has year round fun for all ages. Established by Trent and Dana Knott, whose vision was “to create a space for wholesome family entertainment”, The City Forum has become a staple in our community with it’s extensive entertainment options.
THE ARCADE
Whether you have energetic toddlers, pre-teens, or too-cool teenagers, kids of all ages will find something to engage them in this area of the Forum. With the arcade lights and sounds it's almost as stimulating as an episode of Cocomelon and just as engaging. Some of the arcade games require absolutely no skill at all, such as the simulated roller coaster that allows kiddos to sit back, relax and enjoy the ride. Another fun one for youngsters is the simulated motorcycle ride. An added bonus for the really little kids is you can sit them on the motorcycle without paying a thing and they actually think they're playing the game! The slightly older ones will love the challenging (but winnable) claw games filled with plush toys or rolls of redeemable tickets. The skee ball and the down the clown redemption games are reminiscent of a classic carnival. The basketball games and the air hockey table are fun for older kids and adults alike. You'll often see families having a shoot-out for who can score the most goals. A recent addition, and one that appears to be very popular is the virtual reality ride in the center of the arcade area. The 3-D glasses, the moving chairs, and the excellent visuals make for a very realistic experience. They offer several different episodes, some appropriate for younger kids and some for those willing to encounter a scare.
If you happen to make it outside the arcade area (and this may take convincing for some kiddos), The City Forum has several other awesome experiences to try.
LASER TAG
Laser tag is a fast paced, interactive gaming experience. Players are loaded up with their vibrating vests and laser blaster. The multi-level, black light tag area comes complete with obstacles and landmarks that are specific to Clarksville. This attraction will not only keep you entertained, it'll also keep you moving! At the end of it all you'll get to see the leaderboard and determine just how good your laser shooting skills are.
GO-KARTS
These go carts are no joke! Of course you'll have to sit your energetic toddlers on the sideline for this one as there is a height limit but even some younger kids can ride with an adult. The karts offer a fast speed setting, along with a family speed setting for those hoping for a more casual ride. These carts are smooth and fast and the curvy course will keep you entertained throughout the duration of your race. They do a great job of spreading riders out and monitoring speeds to keep this a safe but fun experience. For those competitive folks out there, check the leader board at the end of your ride to see how you compare with the other drivers.
SPIN ZONE
A newer addition to the city forum in the very back of the venue is the spin zone. This offers a unique take on the classic bumper car experience. These sit upright resemble more of a chair than a car but the bumping is the same! Kids five and older can drive these ones alone and they keep it interesting by occasional spin outs if the cars are bumped in a certain location. The black lights and the dance music make for a very entertaining bumper car experience.
MINI GOLF
Another attraction that is suitable for most ages is the mini golf course. Nestled in the middle of the venue, this 18 hole mini golf course is full of features that provide just enough challenge without too much frustration. This area of the Forum is perfect for family fun, a first date, or those just looking to perfect their putting game.
BOWLING ALLEY
If you have any time left in your day after experiencing all the other attractions at The City Forum there's always the bowling alley! This state-of-the-art bowling alley sits adjacent to the bar and eating area. So not only can you enjoy a rousing game in the lanes, you can also grab a beer, a pizza, or some nibbles to share. For those with little ones who may not be interested in throwing a bowling ball, there's a great seating area at each lane where everyone can enjoy snacks and drinks. The lanes fill up fairly quickly, especially on weekends, so register your lane online before you come to guarantee your spot.
FOOD & DRINKS
The bowling alley is the only spot in the City Forum that offers adult beverages but it's not the only place where you can grab a bite to eat. In addition to the bowling alley, you can also order pizza wings and other snacks at The Streatery, near the arcades. This is the perfect spot to grab some nourishment between shooting zombies and dodging lasers.
One of the best things about The City Forum is there is no fee to enter and all the experiences are pay to play. This means you can take a lap around the building before deciding on which experience grabs your attention or watch your friends dominate the life sized pac-man while you wait your turn for the bowling lane. Whether you spend an hour or an afternoon at the The City Forum, you won’t regret the time well spent on wholesome fun.
