Park Lanes Family Entertainment Center, Arcade

 

I have tended to think of this more as a bowling alley, and we have bowled there. However, they do have more.

I thought writing about it now could be a good contrast to Dave & Busters last week, as the set ups are very different.

The main thing you will notice is that it is much less expensive. There are still 3-D games, but things are not quite as fancy and showy. Maybe there is less bang, but there is also definitely less buck.

In fact, there is a play structure that is essentially free, as there is no admission cost, only the price per game.

I have to say that may also make things a little less safe. Most of the arcades I have been to have had something for shooting some hoops. This is the only one where balls have rebounded out of the game, once hitting me in the face and knocking off my glasses.

There is still an option to pick up rubber ducks with a claw, but no guaranteed win like and Dave & Busters. (We were still able to get two, one of them being very otter-like.)

The only guaranteed win was a chicken that laid eggs with prizes. We had just seen an episode of Newhart with a similar machine. The one on the show was more impressive, but it still made us glad to get our eggs.

I also appreciated the convenient location of a recycle receptacle for the eggs.

Most of the games dispense tickets, though -- like most places now -- that is tracked via a card. There is a booth for redeeming the tickets. (We did not really think we had enough to bother, so we gave our cards to a child, which we do a lot, actually.)

It is actually outside of the arcade proper, though easy to spot, but they also have a large photo booth, an option growing in popularity.

Located near Movies on TV, Park Lanes is a spot where you can easily play a few games without a huge investment in time, travel or money. It may not be a destination, but it is still a good place for that specific need.

COVID: This is very much indoors and not a big place. I recommend wearing your mask.

Accessibility: It could be worse, because the pathways between the games look like they should accommodate most mobility devices. However, there is not necessarily height adjustment or convenience. Obviously the play structure is not designed to accommodate, and there are some flashing lights. 

https://www.parklanes.net/

Clackamas: Dave & Buster's

My sisters and I had once worked out this age progression for various arcades, so you age up from Chuck E. Cheese as a child to John's Incredible Pizza, Big Al's, and then finally Dave & Busters. When we were working that out, we had never been to Dave & Buster's.

It is the one that feels the most Las Vegas, but where in Vegas will you find a giant Connect 4?

A lot of the games are large versions of childhood games, but you still have other arcade favorites, like Skee-Ball.

There are also games with a carnival flair, VR games, and giant video games, some of which you can ride.

From our point of view, they were still not as appealing as Giant Pac-Man.

Actually, what we were most excited to try was the giant Hungry, Hungry Hippos, but it was out of order. Denied!

For game play, it seems to be the most expensive of the various arcades, though you are guaranteed a duck with Bling King.

You can keep aiming and dropping until you get one. It may not be the one you want, but you will get one.

The menu was recently redone, and it is fine, but there is something very frat boy about it. Maybe that makes sense if you are going to combine it with giant television screens and blinking lights.

So, expect sliders and deep frying and jalapeños.

We also split a s'more cheesecake and that was plenty.

I don't think you really go for the food.

COVID: I stayed masked except when eating. We specifically went on a weekday to avoid crowds, and it was pretty empty, but apparently we had just missed a large group. Remember that everyone is touching joysticks and buttons, so hand washing and sanitation is a good idea anyway.

Accessibility: Navigation was not bad, but many of the games would be hard to reach - if not impossible - for various situations. As you can choose how much game play to purchase, it might be wise to look around before deciding.

Obviously the place is full of bright and flashing lights, and some sounds, so be aware for sensory issues. On the plus side, they do have an allergen menu:

https://www.daveandbusters.com/content/dam/dnb/us/en/menu/allergen/Allergen_Menu_4-15-2024.pdf.coredownload.inline.pdf

https://www.daveandbusters.com/us/en/home

Rock & Brews Restaurant at Ilani

Rock & Brews is a rock and roll themed restaurant similar to Hard Rock Cafe, but with less memorabilia.

They make up for that in other ways, like having album art adorning the ceilings, and other types of interesting decor, like this collection of drum heads.

There might be some localization, because they did have portraits of Jimi Hendrix and Nirvana's Dave Grohl, but it would not be completely weird to have portraits of them anywhere, Washington or not. There was a Presidents of the United States of America "Peaches" tray too, though.

 The food was good. Prices were a little high, but not nearly as jacked up as they could have been.

It does follow this trend I have been noticing lately of trying to make everything extreme and hip (Jalapeño! Avocado! More!), but requests to have those left off were not a problem.

I was surprised at the strong horseradish presence in the mustard for the pretzel. It was good, but just really strong. (Extreme!) I can't fault the presentation though.

One of the nicest things was the presence of large video screens playing actual music videos with no commercials. That takes me back!

That wouldn't be enough to make it a destination, but if I were seeing a show, or in the area, and needed to eat, it is not an unreasonable choice.

Please do be aware that the Ilani location is not a participating location for any promotions. If the promotion is not specific to the casino club, they will not honor it.

COVID: You're in a casino. I recommend wearing a mask. It is nice that it is a smoke-free casino. That improves the air quality significantly, but not that way.

Accessibility: In terms of navigation for mobility devices, it should be fine.

I will add, though, that the parking lot is huge and lot of it is not open to those not part of the Ilani club. There is $4 valet parking available, or it may be wise to drop off anyone with mobility issues.

One really nice thing is that once you enter the casino, Rock & Brews is visible just on the right, with clearly marked bathrooms to the left of the entrance and again on the left of the restaurant. There is often a frustrating labyrinthine quality to casinos, and it just isn't a problem here.

https://www.rockandbrews.com/ilani

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PDX -- Bloom Tour 2024 -- THROUGH JUNE 11TH!

Bloom Tour is back!

https://sporktogo.blogspot.com/2023/06/portland-bloom-tour-2023.html

While I appreciate the winter festivals -- and that many of the installations get a second life in other locations -- Bloom Tour is the one that lets you enjoy spring weather.

The displays are more ephemeral, as one would expect with seasonal flowers, but that makes them that much more precious.

Because the winter celebrations tend to focus on light, they also tend to take place after dark. You notice different things about the city in daylight.

I also appreciate Bloom Tour as a conversation starter. One probably only happened because the person saw me taking photos and did a double-take, but for the other a visitor checking into her hotel was stopped first by the entrance display.

Portland has a lot of creative people in its population and a great climate; it's nice that we take some time to make the most of that.

Many of last year's participants have returned, but there are a few changes, and this includes four displays on the East side, along Water Avenue. Some of the display sites have the cards and maps available, which can be helpful.

Of course information can also be found online.

COVID: Most of the installations are either outside or can be viewed from outside. There are a few exceptions.

(And for those exceptions, a surprising amount of places that are closed on Mondays.)

Accessibility: Fantastic. There can be some long walking distances, but public transportation can get you to the locations, and the sidewalks are smooth and wide.

The worst that happened was that construction necessitated crossing to the other side of Broadway, and then crossing back once I was past it.

I can't remember the last time I was in Portland without some construction going on, so that's just to be expected.

The helpful sidewalk markers are in use again.

There's only a few days left, so spend some time in PDX.

https://downtownportland.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2024-BloomTour-Postcard-0507-no-bleeds.pdf