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Entertainment

Last hurrahs

Families still have time to take a go-cart out, swing a bat, bowl, skate or play putt-putt golf, arcade games, paintball or laser tag.

By LOGAN NEILL
Published July 29, 2005

With summer vacation on the wane, no doubt plenty of parents are running thin on activity ideas for their kids.

The suggestion of spending a day at Weeki Wachee's Buccaneer Bay or at the beach no longer brings the leaps of joy it did a few weeks ago. And packing up everyone for a trip to an Orlando theme park is a thought you'd rather not deal with.

It just so happens that Hernando County is chock-full of fun (and inexpensive) places to while away the summer days and nights, whether it's racing a go-cart on a twisting track, swinging at an 80 mph fastball, or playing a good game of miniature golf.

We decided to put together a few suggestions that might help in planning a fun time out for the entire family. When it comes to outdoor activities, weather can be a factor, of course, so be sure to call ahead if there's doubt whether something might be open.

Groovin' Family Park, 9227 County Line Road, Spring Hill. 686-4777. Hours: 4:30-9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 4:30-11 p.m. Friday, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday.

The biggest attraction here for most folks is the go-cart track (the only one in Hernando County), which features 1,000 feet of twisting turns. Rides start at $5 per minute and get cheaper the more minutes you buy. In addition, there are four batting cages (baseball and softball) and an 18-hole putt-putt course. If staying cool is a priority, move indoors to the game room, which includes grownup favorites like foosball, air hockey and pool.

Fun Zone, 404 Suzanne Drive (off U.S. 19), Spring Hill. 666-4653. Hours: 1-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. 666-4653.

The county's oldest continuously operating amusement center offers everything a kid could want in the latest arcade, table-top and and skill games. If putt-putt is your thing, then the elaborate, well-maintained 18-hole course makes for a worthy challenge. The batting cages are also first-rate.

Kim's Play-A-Round, U.S. 98 and County Road 575, about a mile south of the Hernando County line, south of Ridge Manor. 583-3444. Hours: 3 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 3 to 9 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Though popular in urban areas, paintball and laser tag have been a bit tough to find in Hernando County of late. Although not technically in Hernando County, this is the closest venue that features both activities. Warriors can play outside or inside (the latter being determined by how much heat you can stand). For those not into the high-tech stuff, try golf, arcade games or a moon walk trampoline for the wee ones. They also rent bikes to ride on the nearby Withlacoochee State Trail.

Mariner Lanes, 3544 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill. 683-7576. Hours: 9 a.m. to midnight daily.

In addition to regular bowling throughout the day, there are special activities for kids. Cosmic (black light) bowling is offered on weekends, with sessions for teens and adults starting at 10 p.m. Friday and 9 p.m. Saturday. Younger kids can bowl in the dark on Saturdays starting at 11 a.m. Special bowling packages for youngsters are also offered during nonleague hours on weekdays.

Spring Hill Lanes, 3447 Commercial Way. 683-7272. Hours: 9 a.m. to midnight daily.

As with Mariner Lanes, Spring Hill Lanes has activities that cater to the younger crowd, including Friday night "Flashback Bowling" with classic music from the '60s, '70s and '80s starting at 9 p.m. At 10 p.m. Saturdays, it's "Rock and Glow" bowling, with special lighting effects and music. In addition, there are special youth deals during the day Tuesdays and Fridays.

Rainbow Rollerland, 1125 W Jefferson St., Brooksville. 796-0040. Hours: 1 to 4 p.m. and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 7 to 11 p.m. Friday; and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 3 to 6 p.m. and 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday.

As arcane as it may seem in the hip-hop age, kids still love to strap on a pair of wheels and go zooming around the room with their friends. The skating center offers a lot of organized activities, too, that are perfect for family participation. Best of all, it's affordable. You can skate to you heart's content most days for $3 to $5.

[Last modified July 29, 2005, 00:51:17]