By Urvi Dalal, The Hub@TTU
Late last year, Joyland Amusement announced that it would close its doors permanently after operating in Lubbock for 50 years. Now, locals are having to find a new source of entertainment with summer just around the corner.
Jordan Welsh, a Texas Tech graduate student, said she has lived in Lubbock since 2018 when she started her bachelor’s degree at Tech.
Some of the things Welsh does for fun include going to Chimy’s, Little Woodrow’s, Bier Haus and 4ORE Golf. She recommends any bar on University and teh South Plains Mall for college students. “All these places have a fun environment with amazing food, drinks and music,” she said.
“It has a little bit of everything,” Texas State alumna and Lubbock visitor Ashtyn Janusch said.
Janusch said she has always lived in small towns, both where she went to school and where she grew up. However, both towns were near larger cities including Austin and Dallas.
“I got very small-town vibes [from Lubbock] which was really nice. because I have always loved small towns,” Janusch said. “It seemed like there was just enough to keep you entertained.”
As a long-time resident of Lubbock, Welsh said she has seen the town to grow. From new restaurants and places to hang out with family and friends, she hopes the changes continue.
All the developments in town makes Lubbock comparable to larger cities, according to Janusch. “Surprisingly, I feel like there are not that many more things to do in bigger cities than in Lubbock,” Janusch said.
Janusch said she visited Prairie Dog Town, the South Plains Mall and had tons of food. She is also interested in entertainment such as Adventure Park, Main Event and South Plains Lanes.
Welsh said she recommends Adventure Park and Main Event for people visiting or living in Lubbock.
Adventure Park
Kai Evans, director of operations at Adventure Park, said Adventure Park is 20 acres of fun with a variety of attractions ranging from lowkey to extreme activities. It has something for everyone.
“Our company goal is to connect,” Evans said. “Whether it’s families connecting or a couple connecting on a date, [just] having that space where they can enjoy and do something fun together, not [something on] their phone.”
Evans said she and her husband grew up in Lubbock and wanted to provide a place for people of all ages to go for fun. The park offers season passes, fun passes and various discounts and specials.
Adventure Park’s visitors include children, students, adults, corporate groups, bachelorette and bachelor parties, alumni groups, families and many more. The park attempts to cater to the needs of everyone.
“This is a fun place for people to disconnect from their phones and social media and do something together.” Evans said.
Adventure Park celebrated its four-year anniversary in 2023, but the road was not an easy one.
Evans said they were open for less than a year when COVID-19 hit, leading Adventure Park to deal with manufacturing and hiring shortages.
“We don’t know what normal is,” Evans said. The park continues to find different ways to do things.
Adventure Park hosts College Day every Friday where college students get 50% off the fun passes, which includes nine attractions. On Mondays the park has BOGO miniature golf as well as 50% games on Wednesdays. Lastly, Adventure Park has live music every Friday and Saturday.
“Miniature golf is actually our #1 date night [event],” Evans said. “It’s just long enough where you can get to know someone, but not too long where if you want out you can’t get out.”
Adventure Park has a mix of attractions that people tend to be unaware of, added Evans. It’s something everyone can enjoy with new attractions every year.
Evans said having a large number of outdoor activities and a wide range of activities, in general, is what makes Adventure Park different from other entertainment places in the city.
“It really does connect people to the [outdoors],” Evans said. “We worked really hard to design a space where people felt like they weren’t necessarily in Lubbock.”
Adventure Park is a partner of the Lubbock Aquarium. Between April 28-30, the aquarium is bringing sharks to Lubbock and the event will be hosted by Adventure Park.
“We have things that are more passive, that don’t take a lot of effort,” Evans said. “But we [also] have things like climbing, ropes course and ziplining that take more effort from the guest. I think that that is neat and a different experience.”
Evans said Go-Karts are the #1 attraction at Adventure Park.
“It’s so fun to see kids who finally reach the height requirement drive a Go-Kart,” Evans said. “Also, seeing dads racing with their kids and friends racing is a lot of fun.”
Main Event
Welsh, also a Main Event employee, said she has worked at the entertainment center for a year. She is a server and banquet attendant.
She said Main Event is a big part of entertainment for Lubbock. They host birthday parties every weekend and families enjoy spending the day there.
Main event has bowling, pool, laser tag, mini-golf and arcade games as well as food and alcoholic beverages.
Welsh said she wishes there were more places like Main Event in Lubbock, “it has so much to offer.”
Janusch remains curious about the town and wants to explore Lubbock, if given the chance to return. Janusch added that she is a sports fan and looks forward to the possibility of going to a Tech football game.
“My first trip was a lot of fun,” she said, “I would love to come back to Lubbock. There is plenty of food. That is always my favorite part.”
Welsh said she loves Lubbock.
“The people and places here in Lubbock are amazing,” Welsh said. “People always say ‘There’s nothing to do in Lubbock, Texas. Why did you choose to go to Texas Tech?’ and I always say the atmosphere here is amazing. Everyone is so kind and nice, and you can just hang with people at Chimy’s or in your classes and have a [great] time.”
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