Try Glow Bowling

One of Arlington’s best-kept recreational secrets sits just behind Arlington National Cemetery on the grounds of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall — a bowling alley that most civilians have no idea is open to them. Cosmic Bowling at the Strike Zone features energetic music, pulsating lights, and glow-in-the-dark pins — exactly the kind of retro-fun bowling experience that is increasingly hard to find in a region where every entertainment venue seems determined to charge $20 per game and enforce a dress code. Cosmic Bowling runs Thursday and Friday evenings from 5 to 9 p.m. and all day Saturday from noon to 7 p.m., at $7 per game per bowler with shoe rental included. One Yelp reviewer summed up the value proposition as concisely as anyone could: shoe rental, three games, a bucket of beers, and chili cheese fries for under $25.

All members of your party will need to present a valid photo ID and your car will be searched from hood to trunk at the gate — a few minutes of security process that is entirely worth it for what awaits inside. The base itself is steeped in history: Fort Myer is home to The Old Guard, the Army’s oldest active infantry regiment, and was the site of the first powered-flight fatality in 1908 when Orville Wright’s military test plane crashed during a demonstration. The Strike Zone bowling alley is at Building 411, 224 McNair Road; the Bowling Center is open Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday from noon. Call 703-528-4766 or visit jbmhh.armymwr.com for lane reservations and event schedules including the Thursday night DC Social Bowling league, which welcomes civilian participation.