Sports Center of Connecticut

Sports Center of Connecticut

Reviews Summary

The Sports Center offers diverse family-friendly activities like mini-golf, laser tag, arcades, and batting cages, with many praising the friendly staff and fun atmosphere. However, maintenance issues are common, with complaints about dirty or broken equipment, overgrown mini-golf courses, and inconsistent batting cage availability. Pricing is often seen as high for the quality, especially for mini-golf and arcade games. While some facilities feel outdated, the range of activities and welcoming staff keep most visitors satisfied, making it a popular spot despite its flaws.

About This Listing

Has Arcade Cabinets
Has Food
Good for kids
Has Virtual Reality
Has Prizes
Wheelchair Accessible

Who Can Play?

Most arcades welcome all ages (some may have age restrictions for certain games)
Minors may need parent/guardian supervision (policies vary by location)
No gaming experience required - games range from beginner to expert level
Comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes recommended for safety
Valid ID may be required for certain attractions or age verification
Groups and parties welcome (advance booking may be required)

*Note: Age restrictions and policies may vary by arcade. Check with your local facility for specifics.*

First-Time Visitors

First-time visitors may need to sign a waiver or register for a game card. Staff are typically available to help explain games and provide tutorials. Some arcades offer newcomer specials or free play sessions to help you get started.

Common Restrictions:

Age-Based Some games may have height or age requirements for safety reasons
Capacity Popular games may have wait times during peak hours

*Note: Policies vary by arcade. Confirm with your local facility.*

What to Bring

Cash or card for tokens/credits (some arcades are cashless)
Valid ID for age verification or membership signup
Phone to capture high scores and memories (check photo policies)

*Note: Payment methods and requirements may differ by arcade.*

Preparing for Your Visit

Check arcade hours and peak times online before visiting
Eat beforehand or check if the arcade has food options
Bring friends for multiplayer games and competitions
Wear comfortable clothes you can move freely in
Avoid bringing valuable items that could be lost or damaged
Check for special events, tournaments, or discount days
Set a budget for games and stick to it
Stay hydrated, especially during long gaming sessions

*Note: Tips may vary by arcade type and location.*

How to Get Started

Most arcades accept walk-ins, but call ahead during busy periods or for large groups. Check for membership deals!

Other Helpful Info

Most visits last 1-3 hours depending on games and group size
Popular games may have longer wait times during weekends and evenings
Many arcades offer unlimited play packages or time-based pricing
Some locations host tournaments and special events regularly
Prize redemption available at many arcades - save your tickets!

*Note: Policies, pricing, and features differ by arcade. Contact your local facility for details.*

What to Expect from Virtual Reality in Arcades

Step into virtual reality for a breathtaking adventure! Arcade VR stations boast advanced headsets (like Oculus or HTC Vive), motion controllers, and sometimes full-body tracking or treadmills. You’ll dive into games like Beat Saber or VR shooters, swinging, dodging, or aiming in 360-degree worlds with vivid visuals and immersive sound. Gameplay spans solo quests to multiplayer battles, with intuitive controls for all levels. Arcades offer vibrant, social VR zones, delivering a thrilling, cutting-edge experience in 2025.

How Arcade Prize Games Work

Dive into the excitement of arcade prize games! Expect claw machines, skee-ball, whack-a-mole, or basketball challenges where you test your skills or luck to win tickets or prizes directly. Claw games require precise joystick control to grab toys, while redemption games reward accuracy with tickets to trade for plushies, gadgets, or trinkets at prize counters. Modern setups boast colorful displays and smooth mechanics, blending nostalgia with fresh fun. The thrill of winning and the vibrant arcade vibe make prize games a captivating draw in 2025.

Features

Has Arcade Cabinets
Has Food
Good for kids
Has Virtual Reality
Has Prizes
Wheelchair Accessible

Contact Information

Address

784 River Rd

Shelton, Connecticut 06484

Hours

Monday 9:30AM-9PM
Tuesday 9:30AM-9PM
Wednesday 9:30AM-9PM
Thursday 9:30AM-9PM
Friday 9:30AM-10PM
Saturday 9:30AM-10PM
Sunday 9:30AM-8PM

Customer Reviews

The staff at the Sports Center of Connecticut is always so welcoming and helpful to us! It's a pleasure every time we visit, and we truly appreciate their kindness and support. Looking forward to coming back again! ????

Took my two and four year olds to the arcade. They had plenty of games and the kids had a great time. Overall, was a great experience, but I would likely not return because I feel there are much better prices alternatives in the area. My only 2 pieces of feedback would be.... 1. The games seem quite overpriced compared to alternatives in the area (D&B, Chuck e cheese). Almost every game is 6 or more credits, which ends up being ~$1.50 per game or more, and most games are over so quickly. If the games

The mini golf area is located on a beautiful campus, and there are loads of additional activities. It was a really hot day, so while my family part-took in the mini golf, I hung around in the arcade area with my service dog. Thank you for an awesome day!

Great place! Awesome time for friends and family. As a great variety of activities from bowling, to an arcade, to a driving range and mini golf. Staff is super friendly and very clean! Lazer tag was a blast for a birthday party and a huge hit! Highly recommend a family day here!!

We just needed a spot to amuse a 7 year old on a long drive. The bowling alley is a mini version a candle pin, but still a lot of fun. The arcade was reasonably priced with decent prizes compared to a lot of arcades these days.

Hands down, BEST prizes out of ALL the arcades and Actually Achievable. It's perfect for a chill fun kids day with a variety of things to do.

This place is always clean, the staff friendly and helpful, pricing is reasonable and everything works here; no broken machines anywhere. My kids always have fun here.

To play here was pricey! The course was very wet, not your typical ground material. Was like felt. Lots of debris on course, broken water feature and overgrown playing area. One visit was enough.

I have been at this location a few times in the past and It has definitely declined. The batting cages were out of service only 3 or 4 were open. After the 1st token the machine stopped pitching. One of the employees came out and fixed the issue and gave us 2 extra tokens for the trouble. After the 2nd token it happened again. I called the front desk and asked to send some out to the cages and after waiting about 15 minutes I decided to return the tokens and get a refund. I figured I use the arcade and many

I had a gift card and used it here today. We had a great time with many things to try, driving range, arcade, mini golf, laser tag, paint ball and mini bowling. The driving range is great and has a screen to track your drives. We had fun in the arcade. Great place for a fun day out. The staff was very friendly and helpful.

Good 18 hole course, par 42, with nice landscaping. Some holes had mulch on the fairways that needed to be swept or vacuumed.

Fun family place. Mini golf is still pretty new. Some of the shrubbery is overgrown and needs to be trimmed. Interferes with the golfing a little. Fun bowling needed some maintenance as the game glitched a few times and we needed staff to reset the game. The arcade was actually nice and updated with new games. A little pricey but lots of fun.

Great building and location. Lots of parking around the building. There are two hockey rinks which are both really nice. The staff are all very friendly and helpful. The building itself is very modern and clean. This is Dldefinitely worth checking out.

Great place, clean and friendly staff. They absolutely saved us this rainy Thanksgiving morning with two kids under 4. Our kids LOVED the arcade and running their sillies out. Thank you for being open today, we appreciate you!

The games are fun! Additionally, customer service is superb!

We have signed up for hockey programs here, the quality is top notch and the coaches are excellent.

Price for mini golf way high , the course is old and dirty. Could you at least blow the dirt off the carpet once in a while. Price for a bucket of balls very high. Go elsewhere if you can.

Awesome place! Great long drive, mini golf, mini bowling, and arcades and even ice skating! And very friendly staff!

GREAT PLACE FOR FAMILY FUN! WHY BE A COUCH POTATO AND WATCH SPORTS, WHEN YOU CAN EXPERIENCE THE SPORTS!!! THEY HAVE TEEN NIGHT EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT! FUN FUN FUN FOR EVERYONE, YOUNG AND OLD SMALL AND TALL EVERYONE AND ANYONE COULD HAVE FUN AND BE COMPETITIVE AT THE SAME TIME AT SPORTS CENTER OF CONNECTICUT!!!

They raised their rates from $2 during the summer to $7. The balls get stuck in the lanes. Some lanes are broken. The game kept faulting my 3 year old son for not hitting pins within 20 seconds. Fix your lanes and lower the rates.

Great Hockey facilities and tons of other activities for kids of all ages to do. The batting cages are really nice and there are a lot of batting cages so there's not wait. My son plays hockey in the league here every year. We have been coming here for over 10 years now. Great way to spend a weekend afternoon when there's nothing else to do.

Price slightly on high end for the quality of the driving range. People are very friendly and has an upper level. We had a great time and will be back. I just hope they do some work on the driving green.

My Grandson's 4TH Birthday Party Was Held There This Past Weekend And OMG, Let Me Just Tell You We Adults Had Just As Much Fun As The Birthday Boy! They Have A Whole lil People Bowling Alley Ll Lite UP You Heard ??. I'm ready to take my babies back Saturday! Thanks A Million To Grace And I Believe Sarah Our Host's.

Went to the driving range last night. First time ever hitting golf balls. It was a blast. Would definitely do it again. Bathrooms were not clean and out of soap and toilet paper.

They have duckpin bowling for $7.50/pp per game. There is a small arcade with a variety of games. They also have miniature golf and batting cages. A good place to spend some time. Large parking lot.

What a sad state of affairs. Batting cages were great before 2020. Most if not all cages were working, and was fun to go and let off some steam. They used to be maintained well, and nothing beats playing outside. I don't know if new management took over in the last few years or they are no longer making a profit, but the batting cages have been closed the the majority of the times that I have attempted to go. I noticed that most cages were closed in 2022, and now all of them in 2023 and 2024. I just got b

Extremely overpriced for mini golf and driving range. Cheaper to play a round of golf than use their driving range. Mini golf course is in terrible condition for the justified price. Used to be a nice place but with massive increase in price with no additional updates, would not waste time.

My kids have been attending learn to skate and hockey classes for over a year now and we wouldn't think to go anywhere else. Coach Steve and Coach Ben make the classes so enjoyable for the kids. They build up their confidence and push them to their max. They genuinely enjoy seeing the kids grow and succeed out on the ice. My kids look forward to hockey because of these two amazing people.

Great layout and the Top Tracer bays make tracking your progress easy

Great place for a kids birthday. Lots of options for the big event, friendly helpful staff, always available to help with questions/calls/email. The party was enjoyed by everyone, especially the laser tag. Food was also great!

I love it here! The toptracer app really helps your practice at the driving range. Really wish there was something on the website saying the driving range is closed for a week but hopefully others see this photo;)

The explicit version of ?Superman that HOE? should not be blasting over the speakers during a learn to skate lesson for 3-5 years old olds.

Very enjoyable family time, but some of the games took our tokens and didn't work. Also, the workers rudely rushed us out 7 minutes before closing time.

A fun place for the kids ? Yes. The glass has not been cleaned in YEARS!! inside its ok, cages are a bit rough. Staff is nice. My daughter had trouble with 2 machines and they credited her.

Had a laser tag birthday party here. Party room is nothing special but the host was lovely and the game was fun. Probably best for kids 9 or older.

Loved laser tag! Some of the guns were broken though

Great place to spend half a day with the family. Lots of different activities and good for a variety of ages. We went to play mini golf. It was a bit pricey for how worn and easy the course was. It was unique in the fact that many of the holes had more than one hole to sink the ball into. They had some different things to go around and some holes with the tubes which made things fun. A bit tricky to play a few of the holes with how overgrown the shrubs were. All in all, we had fun being outside and playing

This is always a fun place to go, and overall it is in great shape. I have to say that the mini golf need some sprucing up. There was a lot of dirt and debris on the course, and the waterfall and pond looked like it hasn't worked in a while. That said, it was a fun challenging course

Always a great time, wish there were more public skate times

I am so glad this sports center survived the pandemic! Tons of fun and loads of amazing memories playing lazertag, golf, and in the arcade with a wide selection of games to choose from. It's easy to get to, from rt 8 and rt 15, just off rt 110. Unfortunately the batting cages still need maintenance, but you should be able to call ahead and find out if anything is open!

Was shocked this place had launch monitors... They absolutely only thing I'd like to see here is real grass. Mats are a little worn and uneven but easy to switch height of tees.

Me and some of my family did the fun bowling which was decent but it was fairly broken. Somehow someone in my group had got 14 pins when there was only 10! I also went to arcade which a fair amount of the games are rigged but you can still have a fun time.

I went here last week to go to the driving range, haven't been in a few years. Truly amazed with all the updates and the super friendly staff. The top tracer is awesome. Great place to bring the entire family. Driving range, mini-golf, batting cage, paintball, bowling, laser tag, and even an arcade. Definitely taking my nephew next time I go. Highly recommend!

Did miniature golf, there's a cash discount.

Its a great place! We really love going there. My daughter loves going here to practice her hitting for softball.Only problem is that 4 or 5 out of 8 of the batting cages are "out of order" and there are people wondering around looking for working batting cages to use. It would be nice if the equipment was fixed as it needed to be to limit down time for people who are paying good money to be there. Other than that, its a great place.

Came for mini golf last night and really was not overly impressed with the course. It was very plain and didn't have much character to it compared to other mini golf courses. The women?s bathroom was very outdated and dirty. Peeked in to the bowling area and was surprised to see they didn't have many lanes, and it's also only duckpin bowling. Also peeled into the arcade, which was very flashy and had some cool stuff. However, they didn't have even one classic arcade machine. Good for little kids, but I expe

A very fun place to go to. I really love the arcade and mini golf! I want to try out the ice skating rink sometime.

Great place for kids. Needs better upkeep and maintenance for the amount of employees that are mostly sitting around. Mini bowling lane(s) broken alley/computer, mini-golf not swept but could've easily been much nicer, other ares could've been cleaner. All in all, still 4 stars for entertainment value and options for kids to explore.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s it like visiting an arcade today?

It’s a mix of nostalgia and high-energy fun! Many arcades blend retro classics like Pac-Man and pinball with modern VR games, racing simulators, and rhythm challenges — often with music, lights, and a social vibe.

Is it better to go alone or with friends?

Both can be great! Solo visits let you focus on your favorite games, while going with friends adds competition, teamwork, and laughs. Many people plan arcade meetups as a casual hangout or even date spot.

What should I bring to an arcade?

Usually just yourself and a way to pay (some arcades still use coins, others use cards or apps). If you're competitive, bring your A-game. If you're social, bring friends or meet new ones over multiplayer games.

What’s the best time to visit an arcade?

Weekdays or early afternoons are usually less crowded — perfect for focused play. Evenings and weekends bring the buzz, especially at barcades or venues with DJs, tournaments, or themed nights.

Can I meet new people at arcades?

Absolutely! Arcades attract a mix of casual players and serious gamers. Whether you're jumping into a four-player co-op or chatting between rounds, it's a fun, low-pressure way to connect over shared interests.

Are arcades still just for kids?

Not at all. While many arcades are family-friendly, there are also adult-oriented ones with full bars, 18+ nights, or vintage nostalgia themes. Arcades today cater to everyone — from first-timers to lifelong gamers.

Are there events or tournaments I can join?

Yes! Many arcades host regular competitions, retro nights, cosplay parties, and more. Whether you're into high scores or just want to watch and vibe, events add an extra layer to the experience.

What if I’m not great at arcade games?

No worries — arcades are about having fun, not being perfect. Try a variety of games, ask others for tips, and remember: the vibe is more “let’s play” than “let’s win.”

Are virtual reality games in arcades worth playing?

Yes, virtual reality (VR) games in arcades are a top attraction in 2025! Titles like Beat Saber and Half-Life: Alyx deliver immersive thrills with cutting-edge headsets, motion tracking, and responsive controllers. High-resolution displays and spatial audio create heart-pounding experiences, from slashing rhythms to battling zombies. Arcades feature multiplayer VR zones and tournaments, fostering lively communities. VR booths are regularly packed, proving their captivating, next-level gameplay makes them a must-try arcade experience.

Why are arcade prize games so exciting to play?

Arcade prize games are a thrilling highlight in 2025! Claw machines, skee-ball, and ticket-redemption games like basketball offer a rush of skill and chance, with rewards like plushies, toys, or electronics up for grabs. Modern machines feature vibrant lights, digital scoreboards, and responsive controls, amplifying the fun. The lively arcade atmosphere, with cheering crowds and buzzing energy, makes every win feel epic.