Best places for 9 popular indoor activities in San Jose

When the sun is shining and temperatures are warm, it's not too difficult to get out of the house and find something to do, whether it's a simple walk around the block or a day trip to the beach. But when temperatures are lower or rain is trickling down your windows, you're probably more likely to stay inside—and that's true no matter your age.

A 2020 survey of about 1,000 people from the National Recreation and Park Association showed that 58% of U.S. adults are less active in the winter. Similarly, a 2016 study out of the University of Cambridge found that average activity levels among children dropped to their lowest levels in February at about 48 minutes per day compared to 65 minutes per day in April, the peak month for activity.

The good news is there are an increasing number of ways to get out and be active, no matter the season and no matter what level of activity you're looking for. There are the longtime staples to visit year-round, from an awe-inspiring and educational visit to an aquarium or planetarium to a culturally stimulating night at the theater to a trip down memory lane at the bowling alley. For the gamers among you—or for those nostalgic for the 1970s, '80s, and '90s—there's always laser tag or an afternoon at the arcade.

Those looking to exercise their minds a bit more than their muscles could try the more recent sensation: escape rooms, which started captivating Americans of all ages in the mid-2010s. Meanwhile, people who want to sweat it out a bit can try to get into the skyrocketing success of indoor rock climbing, the bouncing business of trampoline parks, and the more adult activity that is ax throwing.

To motivate you to try a new activity this weekend, weather notwithstanding, Stacker compiled a list of the best places for popular indoor activities in San Jose using data from Yelp. Data is as of Feb. 21, 2024. Businesses were selected using Yelp's ranking system, which calculates an adjusted rating value that takes into account the number of ratings as well as the rating score itself.

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1 / 9

Arcade: Nor-Cal Hobbies

- Rating: 4.5/5 (163 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2099 South 10th St. San Jose, California
- Categories: Hobby Shops, Race Tracks, Arcades
- Read more on Yelp

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2 / 9

Bowling: Off the Sheet Pro Shop

- Rating: 4.7/5 (60 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1441 North 4th St. San Jose, California
- Categories: Sporting Goods, Bowling
- Read more on Yelp

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3 / 9

Laser tag: Lasermaxx San Jose

- Rating: 4.7/5 (20 reviews)
- Address: 1035 East Capitol Expy San Jose, California
- Categories: Laser Tag
- Read more on Yelp

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4 / 9

Rock climbing: The Studio Climbing

- Rating: 4.3/5 (158 reviews)
- Address: 396 South 1st St. San Jose, California
- Categories: Rock Climbing, Fitness & Instruction
- Read more on Yelp

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5 / 9

Aquarium: Aqua Bonsai

- Rating: 5.0/5 (9 reviews)
- Address: 3878 Pearl Ave. San Jose, California
- Categories: Aquarium Services, Aquariums
- Read more on Yelp

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6 / 9

Ax throwing: Axe-Men Throw House

- Rating: 4.9/5 (109 reviews)
- Address: 14 South Second St. San Jose, California
- Categories: Ax Throwing, Team Building Activities
- Read more on Yelp

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7 / 9

Escape games: EDscapade Games

- Rating: 4.9/5 (425 reviews)
- Address: 1150 Murphy Ave. Ste 200 San Jose, California
- Categories: Escape Games
- Read more on Yelp

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8 / 9

Theater: West Valley Dance Company - Ballroom

- Rating: 5.0/5 (10 reviews)
- Address: 1226 South Bascom Ave. San Jose, California
- Categories: Dance Studios, Dance Schools, Performing Arts
- Read more on Yelp

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9 / 9

Trampoline park: Pump It Up | San Jose

- Rating: 4.2/5 (241 reviews)
- Address: 1830B Hillsdale Ave. San Jose, California
- Categories: Trampoline Parks, Kids Activities, Playgrounds
- Read more on Yelp

This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Jaimie Etkin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 251 metros.