Favorite New England Candlepin Bowling Alleys
Looking to try your hand at candlepin bowling? As the home of this historic sport, New England has some great spots to get you started.
By Ian Aldrich|Jan 18 2022|
Coffee By Design | Portland, Maine
Photo Credit : Katherine KeenanNew England’s primacy in the sport of candlepin bowling is clear. It all started here in 1880, when Justin “Pop” White, a bowling lane owner in Worcester, Massachusetts, invented the sport, which today remains part of the regional culture. No surprise, then, that the best candlepin alleys are located in New England.
What is Candlepin Bowling?
Candlepin differs from standard (and, non–New Englanders might try to argue, superior) tenpin bowling in significant ways. The balls are smaller, players roll three balls per frame as opposed to two, and the pins are thinner. For those reasons, candlepin fans contend, the sport is more difficult. The International Candlepin Bowling Association has a robust website that details the sport’s history and how to play it.
Ready to get rolling? Read on for some favorite candlepin bowling alleys in New England.
Favorite New England Candlepin Bowling Alleys
Boston Bowl | Dorchester, Massachusetts
Non–New Englanders and regional natives can unite at Boston Bowl, which features both tenpin and candlepin bowling. Even better: It’s open 24 hours.
Shelburne Falls Bowling Alley | Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts
Considered the second-oldest candlepin venue in the country, this eight-lane favorite has first opened in 1906, just a quarter-century after the sport got its start. Check out a history of the center in this recent Yankee story.
Photo Credit : courtesy of Shelburne Falls Bowling Alley
Dover Bowl | Dover, New Hampshire
Located in New Hampshire’s Seacoast region, Dover Bowl is a popular destination for both kids and adults. Twenty-two tenpin lanes and four brand-spanking-new candlepin alleys are the centerpiece of this entertainment haven, which also features a restaurant, video games, laser tag, bumper cars, and a bar. The bowling lanes are computerized and include automatic scoring.
North Star Bowl | Wilmington, Vermont
Completely rebuilt after Tropical Storm Irene ripped through Vermont in 2011, North Star features six lanes and is located on Route 100, an iconic sightseeing road that cuts through the heart of the state and is a favorite among leaf peepers.
The Big 20 Bowling Center | Scarborough, Maine
Opened in 1950, the Big 20 has played host to three world championships and in 1980 became Maine’s first candlepin center inducted into the Candlepin Hall of Fame.
Photo Credit : Ian Aldrich
Bowling Acres Family Fun Center and Grill | Peterborough, New Hampshire
When Yankee editors want a candlepin fix, this is where they go. Located just down the road from the magazine’s headquarters in Dublin, Bowling Acres features 10 lanes, a small arcade, and a grill that also serves pizza and bar food as well as pitchers of cold beer.
33 Elmwood | Westbrook, Maine
Don’t think bowling can go highbrow? Think again. This bowling center opened in 2016 and includes bocce lanes and a restaurant menu that goes beyond typical bar food, with offerings such as fish tacos and steak frites.
Got a favorite candlepin bowling alley that didn’t make the list? Let us know!
This post was first published in 2017 and has been updated.
You didn’t mention the good food at North Star, especially the home made pizza !
Wakefield Bowladrome, Wakefield Mass. Home to 20 lanes of candlepin bowling. Survived a fire well over 50 yrs ago. Great community bowling alley and lots of out of towners now come because so many local bowling allies have closed their doors.
Where is the nearest candle pin bowling from New Jersey?
The closest candlepin lanes to points south is Agawam Lanes, zip 01001. Also home to Six Flags New England, and across the river from the Basketball Hall of Fame and a newly opened MGM casino.
Sacco’s Bowl Haven on Day St in Somerville, MA is a great old time place with phenomenal flat bread pizza. It’s worth a drive from anywhere.
Candlepin, Duckpin, 5 Pin, and 9 Pin Centers of North America
Try the Sports Center in Norwood MA, 32 lanes of very reasonably priced candlepins. No gimmicks, no flashing lights just bowling.
and a tiny but fun alley tucked away in Northborough MA is Sawyer’s. You need to call ahead though so they will open it for you!! Really fun!
I remember ‘duckpin’ bowling in the lower level of the First Unitarian Church in Salem, MA. when I lived back there in the early ’50s.
Does anyone remember the name of the bowling alley in Danversport, MA that was across from the Landolphi’s Restaurant? Played a lot of Ten Pin as a teenager in the 60’s.
sunny side
Where is the nearest 9 pin bowling to Middlebury Vermont
there was another candlepin operation at/ near corner of nahatan and rt. 1 in norwood, mass.— does anyone remember what the name was ?
Norwood Sports Center—I bowl there three times per week.
Norwood Sports Center, l grew up bowling there, my dad and mom bowled there in many leagues in the early thru late 60s, Dad and my older brother bowled there thru the 70s into the 80s and l joined their team in like 77 thru 82 when l moved. a great bowling ally. two level
I bowl there now 32 lanes, super fun
The bowling alley on the corner of route 1 and East Cross Street in Norwood was the Cloverleaf Alleys
40 candle pin lanes, Woburn Bowladrome, Woburn MA, survived COVID 781-933-1709
32 Montvale Ave, Signed, a happy bowling league member.
Tony Baldinelli’s Lanes on Rte 110 in Amesbury, Ma. Pilgrim’s Lanes, City Lanes, and Elite Bowling Lanes in Haverhill, MA. Sandy’s Bowling Lanes in Salem Depot, NH.
1950 to 1952, I “set pins” in Orleans, Massachusetts. As I recall, it had 8 or 10 lanes.
As a kid growing up in Maine, I remember watching “Championship Bowling” on WGAN (now WGME) Channel 13 from the Big 10 (now 20) every Saturday afternoon. Hosted by the late Frank Fixaris, the score was kept on a large chalkboard done by hand and frequently shown by a separate camera, so you always knew who was leading. They covered both men and women bowling, and had cash prizes for the winners.
Candlepin bowling is going strong at The Alley Cat in Kingston, MA and Community Center in Cohasset, MA!
Check out Canal Lanes on Rt 10 In Southampton Massachusetts. It has 16 lanes and cozy lounge.
Sawyer’s Bowladrome in Northborough, MA still run by the same family since it opened in 1953. 6 lanes. Very nostalgic, no bells and whistles just old fashion bowling at its best. Very reasonable too!!!
French King Bowling Center, Erving, MA
bowling4fun.com
Norwood Sports center Norwood,MA. 32 lanes of candlepin bowling super fun!
Cape Ann Lanes in Gloucester, MA. Great candlepin bowling and Laneside Pub & Brewery with inside/outside dining. Great pizza and pub food. Events and parties too~
Sadly, Colonial bowl on Mill Street, Worcester has closed its doors.
I’m not sure what other candlepin places are in this area anymore? Town & Country of Shrewsbury does not have it anymore.
Orleans Bowling Center. Bowled 65-75, great leagues. Bring back sat. Candle pin bowling. Cape Codder
I remember watching candlepin bowling at noon on channel 5 with my grandmother. I joined my first league in Yarmouth. I bowling a season in Falmouth. Now I am bowling in Peabody and it’s just like golf. You make some good shots, some bad shots and sometimes just get lucky. One guy I bowled with was Don Santiago and he was on channel 5 numerous times and played on the Cape.
I remember being very little (late ’60s/early ’70s) going with my mom to the Ladies Wednesday morning coffee league at the old Wamesit Bowling Alley.
That building has long since been torn down, but Candlepin still going strong in Tewksbury, MA at the NEW Wamesit bowling alley located just down the street from the original….https://wamesitlanes.com/ Such great memories!!
Saco Valley Sports Center in Fryeburg, ME is a great place for candle pin bowling. They also have pool tables and arcade games. There is a bar and food is served. The staff is very friendly and helpful.
The best candlepin bowling in the late 70’s was Jim’s Arcade of Bellows Falls,vt.Too bad the building burnt down. Jim still has his arcade business today across the street , no bowling!
I remember watching Candlepin Bowling on Channel 5 when 2 of our locals Tom Olstza from Southbridge home of Hipp Lanes and Stacia Czernicki of Webster with her home Mohegan Lanes. Great show and a great still sport.
There was a tiny 4 lane bowling alley in Waverly Square in Belmont, MA.
Wal-Lex in Waltham, MA & the Turnpike Bowl-A-Drome in Cambridge, MA.
My parents were great Candlepin bowlers !
Who was the host of Candlepins for Cash?
Leda Lanes in Nashua is great and should be on this list. Funspot in Laconia has candlepin bowling and tenpin bowling.