Remember when Cartersville youngsters had two entertainment options on the west side of town, in addition to the east-side movie theater?

Now, at the ripe, old age of 34, I look back and remember the good ol' days when the not-yet-16-year-old kids had three places to go on a Friday night—the skating rink, the bowling alley and the movies.

Just last week, an old friend who no longer lives in town asked me about the old skating rink. She was surprised to learn it's no longer there, but I forgot to mention the bowling alley had also been demolished, giving way to new stores on the growing west side.

Then today, I ran across this YouTube video of the old bowling alley and its last days, and how the memories began to flood my mind.

But as I reminisce, I think about my children—who are still young at almost 3 and 8—and older kids in town and wonder what exactly they do for entertainment. Excluding cruising around town, grabbing a bite to eat and perhaps a flick on a Friday night, how do they entertain themselves in this town?

While I ponder and hope some of you with tweens and teens will enlighten me as to the activities of local youngsters, I thought I'd share a humorous post by "Concierge" in a "New to Cartersville" Topix forum:

Some things you don't want to miss in Cartersville:
Many people come to Cartersville to recreate at our busy bowling alley and skating rink. Afterwards, some like to stay at the Lodge at Red Top Mountain or in one of the luxury suites at the Quality Inn.

After you visit those places, grab a burger at Fuddruckers on Tennessee St., a New Orleans style sandwich at Schlotzki's on Main St., or some authentic Cajun food at Gumbo to Gieux. Want a place to grab a beer and watch the big game? Check out Beef O'Brady's or the Irish pub, M'Vornen's. For a quality brew pub beer and some fine dining, make your reservation at Moon River.

Satisfy your sweet tooth with some delicious frozen yogurt at TCBY beside K-Mart or grab a donut at Fat City. For a tasty smoothie, check out Drink on Main Street (where Jittery Joe's used to be.)

In the mood for sports? Go play 9 or 18 holes at Plantation Golf Club. How about shopping? Cartersville is home to some of the finest retail hot spots such as Office Depot, Goody's and J Brandon on Public Square.

Yes, Cartersville has a lot of offer for every taste. And things will only be more exciting when the Indoor Ski Slope and the Adairsville Cabelas Store open next year.