Video games and the like have their place, but the latest isn’t always the greatest when it comes to having fun. Check out these ideas on where to go out and have a good time like they did back in the day.

UNLEASH YOUR INNER KATNISS  

Image:  Music City Archery

You know you want to. Who among us hasn’t watched Katniss, Robin Hood and others whip out an arrow and send it flying to their intended target? At Music City Archery, anyone 8 years old and up can take their best shot at getting an arrow somewhere near a target, at least. All first-time archers will receive a safety briefing and demonstration. Reservations are not required, but are recommended.

Got a group? Try Archery Tag®—which is not as lethal as it sounds! A mashup of archery and dodgeball using safe arrows and safety gear (provided), Archery Tag is a fun way for folks ages 10 and up to enjoy archery together. ​

Music City Archery is at 1113 Murfreesboro Road #205, Franklin, TN

DRIVE IN TO A MOVIE

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You have at least two options for watching movies under the stars in Middle Tennessee: The Stardust Drive-In Theater in Watertown and Sparta Drive-In in Sparta (currently closed for the season but open for special events). Both are open only on weekends, but the movies don’t start until dark (for obvious reasons) so no worries about being out late on a ‘school night.’ Pile into the car, stock up on snacks at the concession stand, and settle in to enjoy first run movies—and often, double features.

ENJOY SOME “OLE TIME MUSIC”

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Every Saturday night, the T.B. Sutton General Store in Granville comes alive with the sounds of bluegrass—and it’s broadcast worldwide! Join the “studio audience” and you can start your evening with an all-you-can-eat family style dinner that includes a meat, three vegetables, bread, salad, homemade desserts and drinks or opt for a music program-only ticket for just $5.00. Reservations required. See the lineup of upcoming shows and buy tickets here.

The T.B. Sutton General Store is located at 169 Clover Street, Granville, TN 38564.

SPARE SOME TIME FOR BOWLING

Image: Ella Christenson on Unsplash

As any small child or cat will tell you, there’s a lot of pleasure to be had in knocking things down. Bowling is a great way to indulge that impulse without breaking anything…and they even have machines to pick up after you! For less experienced bowlers, bumper lanes are available to keep balls out the gutters. (You can tell the kids you chose those lanes for their benefit.) Check out a Strike & Spare location to try Cosmic Bowling where you bowl with the lights down, the music up, and glow-in-the-dark lanes.

GET A TASTE OF SYRUP-MAKING

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Whether or not our ancestors found syrup-making enjoyable may be questionable, but it’s a lot of fun to watch someone else make it—and we’re in prime sorghum-making season right now. At Muddy Pond Sorghum Mill, halfway between Nashville and Knoxville, you can follow the process step by step. Horses walk around the cane mill to squeeze juice out of the cane, then the wood-fired steam locomotive boiler—complete with train whistle—makes the steam that boils the juice down to syrup. The best part is tasting the warm syrup and picking up a jar or three to take home. Yum!

Muddy Pond Sorghum Mill is open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays now through the end of October.