As all the residents of Martin know, sometimes it can be hard to find fun things to do in your off time from classes and work.
The purpose of this article is to shine a light on some interesting things to do in this area that won’t cost an arm and a leg.
Regardless of your interests, there’s something for everyone. From skating, to touring petting zoos, surely there will be something fun to do.
Discovery Park of America
Every Tuesday through Sunday, people from all over come to visit the Discovery Park of America (DPA) in Union City, for a fun and educational experience.
For general admission to tour the museum, children, ages 4-12, can enjoy the day for only $11.95.
Adults, ages 13-64, can go for $14.95.
DPA even offers a discount for seniors 65 and older with tickets at the price of $12.95 or a discount for college students, military or educators with valid ID.
They offer two-day pricing specials, VIP Discovery Packages and special attraction pricing.
The park consists of things like a 20,000-gallon aquarium, an earthquake simulator theater and a 60 foot tall model of the human body with a 30-foot slide.
People can even pay a little extra to go up in the tall tower, ride the tram or even try out the escape room.
Love the park? Then sign up for an annual membership and go all the time.
With so many things to do, there is no way someone could get bored.
Tennessee Safari Park
Llamas, peacocks and giraffes, oh my!
For an exotic adventure any time of the year, head to Alamo to go see the Tennessee Safari Park.
The gates open Monday-Saturday at 10 a.m., the last car goes in at 4 p.m. and the park closes at 5 p.m.
On Sunday they open at 12 p.m. instead of 10 a.m.
One can see over 80 different species of animals by driving through five and a half miles of safari roads. Head to the Walk Through Zoo for an even closer view, and then get all of the love in the petting zoo, where if you’re lucky you might get to feed the giraffe.
Adults can enjoy the experience for $16, and kids ages 2-12 for $12.
Feed cups cost $3 each, or four cups for $10.
The park is cash only, so be sure to visit an ATM before arriving.
They are open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas.
Don’t forget to stop by the gift shop for all of the stuffed animals a kid, or adult, could want!
Southlane Bowling
If you are interested in getting into a little bit of competition, Southlane Bowling in Union City is an option to think about.
They are open from 4-9 p.m. on Thursdays, and from 4 p.m.- midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
At $2.50 for the cost of the shoes and only $3.95 per game per person, there is definitely some inexpensive fun to be had by all.
They even have special events such as Happy Hour and Cosmic Bowling.
Happy Hour is on Fridays from 4 p.m.-6 p.m. The exciting thing about that is that anyone who comes in can pay only $10.00 and get two hours of bowling with bowling shoes included.
Cosmic Bowling is on Saturday nights from 7 p.m.-11 p.m. While there is no special pricing for this event, they turn the black lights on for a wild bowling experience. Be sure to wear a lot of white and neon colors for the best experience.
If bowling doesn’t sound like fun, but everyone else is going, they also have snacks, a pool table and arcade games to play.
Beverages and Brushstrokes
On one Friday of every month from 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m., the C.E. Weldon Public Library in downtown Martin hosts a relaxing event called “Beverages and Brushstrokes”.
This is a night where a group of friends can forget the world together and create some art.
It is $10 per person, and all of the paint and materials are provided. They also serve drinks like tea, coffee, cider, soft drinks and light refreshments.
If this sounds like something fun to do, call the library at 731-587-3148 to find out which Friday will house the next painting activity and get on the reservation list.
Dixie Gun Works
Interested in old cars or antique black powder guns?
Head on over to Dixie Gun Works in Union City to visit the Old Car Museum.
For only $2, anyone can take a trip back in time by seeing all of the older vehicles.
In a building, just over the size of an acre, there are at least a thousand antique mechanical devices and pieces.
There are also farm engines, close to 40 antique cars and several related antique automobile accessories.
A lot of the guns are laid out to be looked at, picked up and handled to get the real feel. Some of the guns are even for sale, so don’t be afraid to ask about them.
Golf Course Driving Range
Head past the Dairy Queen in Martin, find Fowler Road and turn.
Not even a mile down the road on the left there is a gravel parking lot attached to a Golf Driving Range.
The only thing needed is golf clubs, which can be cheaply purchased from the Goodwill, and $2 for the golf ball machine. Tees are optional.
The driving range is a good way to have some cheap and interesting fun. See who can hit the ball the farthest, or even hit it at all.
It’s open any time of the year, day or night. No one is there to man the operation other than to pick up the balls on the greenway every now and then.
Turn this experience into a competition and make the loser buy ice cream at Dairy Queen on the way back!
Martin Recreation Complex
If something outdoorsy is what gets the blood flowing, then the Martin Recreation Complex is definitely a place that can make that happen.
On the 118 acres, there are options to walk, run, fish, play basketballn baseball and soccer.
The lake is six and a half acres with a ¾ mile long lit-up walking trail surrounding it. The park closes at 10 p.m.
There is even a dog park for all fur babies to play in too. However, if the dogs are not in the dog park they must be on a leash no longer than six feet.
Ducks and geese are out there most days of the year to be fed. There is a bubblegum-like machine near the lake’s edge where duck feed can be bought for only a couple of quarters.
A fully equipped playground is sure to help every kid have some fun outdoors. With five youth baseball fields, four youth softball fields and seven soccer fields there is more than enough room for everyone to play comfortably.
From this list, everyone should be able to find something that makes them want to get out and have a fun day. All fun doesn’t have to be expensive, and as college students, anything that is cheap or free AND fun is a win.
Whether it’s animals, antiques, or outdoor sports there is always something to do.
Even though it may seem like it at times, La Cabana isn’t the only place in Martin to have a good time.
