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The Garage bar in Durango, CO
Photo: DJ

The Garage

3.8(26 reviews)$Bowling
🕑 2-3 hours👶 Best for ages 4 and up. Preschoolers and elementary-aged kids love the bumpers and colorful arcade games, while tweens and teens enjoy the competitive bowling and independent arcade time. Toddlers can participate but may lose interest quickly.

About

The Garage is a classic bowling alley in downtown Durango that delivers old-school fun for the whole family. With bumper lanes to keep gutter balls at bay, an arcade packed with games, and casual food options on-site, it's the perfect backup plan when mountain weather doesn't cooperate or you need an evening activity after a day of outdoor adventures.

Highlights

  • Bumper bowling lanes perfect for young or beginner bowlers
  • Arcade games offering variety beyond just bowling
  • Downtown Durango location makes it easy to combine with other activities
  • Classic bowling alley atmosphere with old-fashioned family fun
  • Indoor activity perfect for rainy or snowy Colorado days

Pro Tips

  1. 1.Arrive right when doors open at 2 PM for the quietest experience and easiest lane availability before the evening crowd arrives.
  2. 2.This venue has bar elements, so plan for earlier visits (2-6 PM) for the most family-friendly atmosphere before the adult crowd comes in.
  3. 3.Bring socks for everyone,bowling shoes are required and having clean socks makes the transition smoother with kids.
  4. 4.Set arcade spending limits in advance and consider getting tokens or a game card to help kids budget their playtime.
  5. 5.The food is bowling alley fare, so eat a meal beforehand if you have picky eaters and just grab snacks here.

Best Time to Visit

Weekday afternoons (2-5 PM) are ideal for families, offering smaller crowds and a quieter atmosphere before the evening bar scene picks up. Sunday afternoons are also good family windows.

What to Know

Note that The Garage operates as a bar in the evenings, so early afternoon visits are most appropriate for young children. Parking is available on downtown Durango streets, and the venue offers typical bowling alley food like pizza, nachos, and snacks.

Seasonal Notes

Open year-round, making it an especially valuable rainy day or winter evening option when outdoor Durango activities aren't feasible. Great for après-ski family fun during winter months.

Nearby Eats

Try Steamworks Brewing Company (family-friendly until early evening with a kids' menu) or Fired Up Pizzeria just blocks away for casual, kid-approved dining options in downtown Durango.

More Activities Near Durango

Activity

Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

$$

All aboard for an unforgettable adventure on America's most scenic historic train! The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad takes families on a breathtaking 45-mile journey through the rugged San Juan Mountains, with vintage coal-fired steam locomotives chugging through narrow canyons, alongside the Animas River, and past wilderness areas inaccessible by car. Kids are mesmerized by the authentic 1880s train cars, the power of the steam engine, and the chance to spot wildlife while traveling the same rails miners rode over a century ago.

Adventure

Perins Peak Lane

Free

Perins Peak offers an excellent introduction to mountain hiking for active families, with a moderately challenging trail that rewards young adventurers with panoramic views of Durango and the surrounding peaks. The well-maintained path winds through ponderosa pines and aspen groves before opening up to a stunning summit that makes every step worthwhile,perfect for teaching kids the satisfaction of earning those incredible vistas.

Adventure

Durango Adventures and Zipline Tours

4.9$$$

Durango Adventures and Zipline Tours offers an exhilarating canopy zipline experience that will have your adventure-seeking tweens and teens soaring through the stunning piñon-juniper forest. With an exceptional 4.9-star rating from over 900 families, this professionally guided aerial adventure combines heart-pumping thrills with top-notch safety standards and spectacular Colorado mountain views that create lasting family memories.

Adventure

Pedal The Peaks LLC

4.9$

Pedal The Peaks LLC is Durango's go-to bike shop for families ready to explore Colorado's stunning mountain trails together. With expert staff who specialize in matching riders to appropriate trails and a full fleet of family-friendly rental bikes (including kids' bikes, trailers, and tag-alongs), they make it easy for families of all cycling abilities to experience Durango's incredible outdoor scenery on two wheels.