By WAYNE LIMA

Contributing writer

s bowling dominates the leisure time of Americans, the question arises as to where bowling can be enjoyed. Bowling centers range from small to enormous, and offer different levels of the bowling experience.
And bowling has earned the distinction of being the largest participated sport in the USA. With the growth in the variety of bowling outlets, the curious or even serious bowler has several facilities and options relative to where they can bowl.
Within the realm of bowling, there are two primary forms of the sport available to southern New Englanders. The most popular and fastest growing form of the bowling sport is “ten pin”, while “duck pin” and “candle pin” occupy a smaller share of the entire bowling market.
All three variations offer competitiveness and present an opportunity to enjoy a recreational activity, at a minimal cost.  In comparison to may other leisure/recreational sports such as golf and skiing, bowling is a deal. And the fun is unparalleled. Plus anyone can bowl; maybe not like a pro, but there really isn’t an age, gender, or physical size requirement to succeed at or enjoy bowling.
Maybe you want to join a recreational or highly competitive league, maybe you want to introduce your child to a Saturday morning youth bowling program, maybe you want to go bowling on a date, maybe you want to have an exciting weekend doing “rock n’ bowl”. There are so many variations to participate in bowling; there really is something for everyone. We can honestly describe bowling as a “family” event; because bowling can include everyone.
But where can you bowl? Where are the bowling centers for Rhode Islanders? And what are these bowling centers like?
The following represents a list of some of the bowling centers, this writer is familiar with.
One bowling center isn’t better than the next…it depends on what you are looking for and what you are willing to spend. Some of these centers are more league friendly, while others devote considerable attention to open-bowling and rock n’ bowl. Others are strong in tournament play and present formidable “scratch” leagues. Again, something for every bowling taste.
In no special order, here are some local bowling centers to consider: 
TEN-PIN CENTERS:  Walnut Hill Bowl (also referred to as Brunswick Woonsocket) is a single sided bowling center located at 1666 Diamond Hill Road, Woonsocket. This bowling center had its lanes recently done over by its new owner. These synthetic lanes are quite new, and revamped dinning and beverage areas support both competitive and more leisure opportunities to enjoy our sport.
East Providence Lanes (also referred to as E.P Brunswick) is a larger, single sided bowling facility located at 80 Newport Ave., Pawtucket. This center has been recently updated an offers several, highly competitive men’s leagues. On the weekends, their popular rock n’ bowl draws hefty numbers of young folks looking for a great time bowling; with accompanying special lighting and music. Their lanes are rather new and are of the synthetic variety.
AMF Langs Lanes (also referred to as Lang’s Bowlerama) is also a single sided, synthetic lane facility. Langs offers a wide range of bowling programs and is known for its Saturday youth bowling program. This bowling center is located at 225 Niantic Ave., Cranston…just off Rte. 10. Both small and larger leagues are offered and open bowling is also an attraction at this facility.
North Bowl is located right over the Rhode Island boarder in North Attleboro, MA. This bowling center is at 71 East Washington St. and offers synthetic lanes. New owners recently put considerable capital investment into the property, including new lanes. This is a “double-sided” bowling center with lanes on the right and left sides of the building. Leagues, open bowling and youth programs are available at North Bowl.
As you move toward the South County area of the State, you will find three more ten-pin bowling establishments. Alley Cats is located in Westerly, RI and was featured in the movie Dan In Real Life. Also in the southern part of RI is North Kingston Bowl (affectionately referred to as K.B.) which offers the same entry level to high performance leagues the other centers produce. And Old Mountain Lanes in Wakefield is a smaller but fun facility offering a variety of bowling opportunities and a nice eating facility too. All three of these centers offer the same amenities as their brethren in the northern part of the State.
For those of you interested in “duck-pin” bowling, Rhode Island offers several excellent facilities to knock down the pins:
Meadowbrook Lanes at 2530 Warren Ave., Warwick, RI has recently had a major uplift by its owners. The Bowling Academy on 354 Taunton Ave., East Providence, RI is a popular center and has been around for quite some time. Town Hall Lanes is consider one of the more up-to-date centers and offers some very competitive leagues; located at 1463 Atwood Ave., Johnston, RI. Legion Bowl located at 661 Park, Ave, Cranston, RI will remind you of the early days of bowling and offers authentic wooden lanes. Dudek’s Bowling Alleys offers a range of duckpin options and are located at 417 Child St., Warren, RI. And one of the oldest and original duckpin centers in RI is Mac’s Bowlaway Lanes at 890 Main St., West Warwick, RI.
And don’t forget to visit New England’s largest bowling store and pro shop “The Bowler’s Edge” for all your ten-pin and duck-pin bowling needs.
No excuses for not knowing where to enjoy bowling now. And bowling is what you make of it; highly competitive versus a hugely fun pastime. Either way, bowling is and can be for everyone. Have a splendid time trying to knock down those nasty pins!

(Wayne Lima is the owner and operator of the Bowler’s Edge pro shop located at 110 Smithfield Ave., Pawtucket, RI. Wayne is an IBPA and AMF certified ball driller and is a former Professor and Head Bowling Coach for Bryant University.)