Play with your food

Cool options for summer fun and treats

The old Noel Coward line "Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun" is due for a makeover. Rabies vaccinations have largely eliminated the former, and let's face it: When is the last time you saw a well-tanned Englishman? "Midday sun" has got to go, too. Thanks at least in part to global warming, the summer swelter stretches from sunup to sundown.

We need a saying that accurately reflects life in 21st-century America. Something like "Only golfers and teenagers whose Xbox 360s have crashed go out in the summer sun."

Of course, the implied point remains the same: The sensible majority of us prefer to remain indoors when temperature and humidity hover in the 90s - as they do all too often in these parts. We limit our al fresco athletics to the occasional 40-yard dash from air-conditioned car to air-conditioned grocery store. Which in turn leads to a modern problem: What do we do for entertainment while we're waiting for the next mailing of Netflix DVDs?

Good question. And we've got the air-conditioned answers - eight of them, to be precise. They offer any number of diversions, from video games to pingpong to indoor soccer. To help minimize your exposure to the summertime heat, we offer descriptions of the food available under the same roof as the entertainment. If the place's culinary offerings are minimal, we offer affordable nearby alternatives.

Finally, we've rated each facility according to its age-appropriateness. There's something for kids of all ages, as the saying goes. And that's one we're not about to tinker with.

Adventure Landing

3311 Capital Blvd., Raleigh, 872-1688, www.adventurelanding.com/raleigh

Open: 9 a.m.-midnight Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.- 1 a.m. Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-midnight Sunday.

Rating: E, T, A

The play: Adventure Landing is an 8-year-old's frenetic fantasy but could be a grown-up's manic migraine. For the kids, there's laser tag, arcade games, go-karts and those machines that spit out the tickets redeemable for pencil erasers and cheap sunglasses. The Landing is slammed most weekends, so you might want to go weekdays during the day. Adventure Landing has a decent 18-hole miniature golf course. Golf, go-karts and the laser tag are pricey. Expect to pay $6 to $7 a head.

The food: On premises, you'll find the usual: hot dogs, pizza (whole or by the slice), chicken fingers, popcorn, hot pretzels, ice cream and candy bars. For more substantial fare, Mayflower (3301 Capital Blvd.; 875-9007) is practically next door, specializing in Southern fried seafood platters. Also nearby are Thai cuisine at Sawasdee (3601 Capital Blvd., 878-0049) and Mexican at Vallarta (3177 Capital Blvd.). All are moderately priced, with plenty of options under $10.

Bullwinkle's Family Food 'n' Fun

1040 Buck Jones Road, Raleigh, 319-7575, www.bullwinkles.com

Open: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday.

Rating: E

The play: Inspired by the Jay Ward television shows, Bullwinkle's is a kid-friendly joint. Among the draws is an enormous jungle gym for the wee ones as well as the Frostbite Falls climbing wall. Unique to Bullwinkle's is a dancing water show that sprays 10,000 gallons of water in time to 15 tunes. Unlike Adventure Landing, Bullwinkle's skews to a younger demographic.

The food: Bullwinkle's full service restaurant offers a diverse assortment of American fare for kids and grown-ups. The children's menu alone lists 14 options ($4-$5 includes beverage and dessert), from chicken fingers to corn dogs to mac and cheese. Meanwhile, Mom and Dad choose from offerings that include grilled Atlantic salmon, chicken Alfredo and baby back ribs (entrees range from $8-$16).