Local mom Rebecca Parrish shares why her family loves the Big E in Gaffney. For more fun ideas of Things to Do Inside see our giant Indoor Guide to Spartanburg.
Our family recently took a quick road trip north on I-85 to exit 90 and Gaffney, South Carolina. Nestled next to the Gaffney Outlet Marketplace (A Simon Center), locally known as the “yellow mall”, The Big E Gaffney is an entertainment center promising fun for every age. It is a great place to spend the day and enjoy new experiences with your child, or a spot for birthday party joy.
What you’ll find at The Big E
The Big E Gaffney opened in October 2013 and features eight (8) movie theatres screening wide release new movies. They strictly enforce rating policies for ticketing. They also have a large bowling alley with 16 lanes where they feature open bowling ($4 per person plus $2.50 for shoes) and cosmic bowling on weekends. Big E has mixed and youth leagues, and they participate in the Kids Bowl Free program in the spring and summer. The bowling area also has flat screen TVs and an area for food and beverages…concessions include a variety of snacks and fries, pizza, wings, and “plates” like chicken tenders and hot dog/corn dog.
Younger children will love the indoor playland which involves climbing up levels, over rope bridges, on swings and down slides. They even have a Ballocity Blast Center, where hundreds of foam balls are propelled out of mini air cannons.
The playland shares space with the arcade area, which houses lots of arcade games (including old favorites like Skee Ball to high tech games like a Star Wars simulator), and the bumper cars (my personal favorite). Don’t leave the Big E without taking a spin on these spinning, neon round cars. The best part about playing is the ease of it; the Big E Gaffney sells a “Fun Card” that parents can load with an amount of money. This card is used at each of the attractions and the arcade, so rather than keeping up with dollars and loose change, kids or adults just use the card. We found this so simple and a lesson for our child about making smart choices about what he wanted to try. They often run promotions for Fun Cards, which is a good way to get extra bang for your buck!
By far, our favorite part of our Big E adventure was Laser Tag. For $7 per person, you get an amazing, action-packed game lasting about 15 minutes. Individuals are suited up with high tech vests that react with vibrations and sound, and laser guns (called phasers) that you reload as you play on the multi-level course with teammates. Black-lights, glowing barriers, fog, and music add to the excitement; and spectators can watch the action on a screen outside the arena. At the end of the match, points are tallied and a winner revealed. My son is still buzzing from his victory!
Outside, the complex includes an adventure mini golf course, a challenging zip line and ropes course. They day we ventured out, it was too cold and windy to try these, but the area looked fun for a future warm day when we have some funds for fun!
Plan your own trip to The Big E
The Big E Gaffney
1100 Factory Shops Blvd.
Gaffney, SC 29341
864.489.1515
Hours vary by day and by attraction. See website for details.
Visit their website.
Visit their Facebook page.
Does a family outing to The Big E Gaffney sound perfect for your crew?
Rebecca Raulerson Parrish is a former English teacher turned non-profit administrator who currently works with Women Giving for Spartanburg and Five Twenty Consulting. She serves on the board of the Spartanburg Little Theatre and is proudly balancing books as Treasurer for the Jesse Boyd Elementary PTSO. A native of Lakeland, Florida, Rebecca loves living in Spartanburg, where she enjoys lots of adventures (and four seasons) with her husband, nine-year-old son, dog, bird and three pet chickens.