Hickory Falls Family Entertainment Center

Hickory Falls isn’t the right fit for my family, but I know many people love this kind of place, so I want to highlight the positives first. Positives: The staff here is fantastic—every person we encountered was polite, kind, and welcoming. Special mention to the team at the entrance, front desk, and food service—they were all top-notch and truly deserve 5 stars. The facility was well-maintained, even in winter. The exterior looked great, and I didn’t notice any trash inside or outside. If you prefer a less crowded experience, timing matters. We arrived on a Sunday before noon, and it was relatively calm, but by early afternoon, it got significantly busier. I imagine Saturdays are even more packed. Negatives (or things to consider for families like ours): Two of our four go-kart ride tickets went unused because the passenger karts stopped working, and our little one was too small to ride alone. The overall atmosphere is high-energy—lots of blinking lights, screens, and noise, with little opportunity for a quieter escape (unless you step outside). If your family enjoys a more relaxed setting, this might not be the best fit. The indoor play area felt safe and sturdy, but it showed noticeable wear and dirt, which is understandable for a high-traffic space like this. Like most indoor jungle gyms, deep cleaning is a challenge, and to me, it looked quite dirty. The webbing material resembled seatbelts, with rope or plastic-threaded twine, which naturally collects dirt over time, even with kids removing their shoes. I also found the area darker than expected—my toddler was initially intimidated and took a while to warm up to it. We ended up here for a friend’s birthday party, but personally, we’d opt for a playground, a hike, or backyard playtime over this kind of environment. If your family enjoys high-energy entertainment centers, you’ll probably have a great time. If you prefer a slower pace, you may want to explore other options.