[Editor's note: Neither the information on this page nor the accompanying hyperlinks constitutes an endorsement by the U.S. Army of the products or services contained therein.]
SCHWEINFURT, Germany (Oct. 16, 2013) -- It's that time of year again -- party season! But the garrison closure scheduled for September 2014 has forced the shutdown of the Yellow Ribbon Room and Ledward Movie Theater, limiting our choices to host parties. And let's face it, hosting a party at the house isn't always the most ideal situation. After two years, I am still cleaning flour out of the cracks of our dining room table from a cookie exchange. So where can we go?
Over the past four years I've hosted my fair share of get-togethers both in-home and at local venues. And if there's anything I've learned, it's this: Avoid the stress of prepping at home and host it at a local venue.
Our community has an assortment of accommodations suited for various types of events. Additionally, as we prepare to enter the party season, I offer this list of places I have used on- and off-post in the Schweinfurt area. Remember this is just from the perspective of an attendee. Enjoy!
Kessler Bowling Center
Place: Kessler Field, Bldg. 449
Hours: Thursdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Phone: 09721-96-6332 or DSN 354-6332
Package/price: Party packages are for 10 children (additional children are extra) and include Package 1 (one game, two large pizzas, three pitchers of drinks) for $50 and Package 2 (two games, three large pizzas, four pitchers of drinks) for $70.
Good to know: Parties can be reserved for noon, 2 and 4 p.m. for two hours. Kessler Bowling Center is a great location for smaller sports-themed parties or family readiness group get-togethers.
Kessler Field gazebos
Place: Kessler Field
Hours: Inquire by phone
Phone: 09721-96-6332 or DSN 354-6332
Price: Reservation fee is $10
Good to know: Call to make a reservation. No matter which gazebo you choose on post, you can creatively hang a "weather blocker" to keep the area warmer as the weather cools, allowing for children to get the fresh air outdoors while adults commune around the food and fire.
Conn Barracks and Askren Manor gazebos
Place: Conn Barracks and Askren Manor
Hours: Inquire by phone
Phone: 09721-96-6762 or DSN 354-6762
Price: First-come, first-served
Good to know: Users are responsible for removal of trash.
Schweinfurt Elementary School
Place: Askren Manor, Bldg. 505
Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Phone: 09721-81-893 or DSN 354-6734/6518
Price: Main purpose room is available on a first-come, first-served basis
Good to know: Call or visit the main office to complete a request form for approval. MPR is available for use after school hours or during weekends. Users are responsible for clean-up and removal of trash. This venue works with FRGs and small events.
Most of the off-post locations offer party options for children up through and including adults. All of the off-post locations have at least one English-speaking person available to help you plan according to your event needs.
Schweinfurt Wildpark
Place: Albin Kitzinger Strasse, Schweinfurt
Hours: Mondays through Fridays from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 6:30 p.m.
Phone: 09721-47-27839
Price/package: Free. No limit to number of guests. Miniature golf is available.
Good to know: Users are responsible for removal of trash. Open year-round. Ask about feeding animals.
Burger King
Place: Willi-Kaidel Strasse 7, Schweinfurt
Hours: Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m., Fridays from 9 a.m. to 6 a.m., Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 6 a.m. and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Phone: 09721-94-3023
Price: Users pay for food only.
Good to know: Call one week ahead for reservations
Icedome
Place: Willi Kaidel Strasse 3, Schweinfurt
Hours: Mondays from 10 a.m. to noon and 8 to 9:45 p.m.; Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to noon, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. and 8 to 9:45 p.m.; Thursdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to noon and 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.; Saturdays from 2 to 4 p.m. and 8 to 9:45 p.m.; Sundays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Price: For groups of more than 10, entrance is 2 euros for adults and 1.50 euros for children.
Good to know: Users can bring their own food. Tables are small but offer plenty of seating. Ask guests to wear cold-weather gear.
Pizzeria Rimini
Place: Friedrich Ebert Strasse 14, Schweinfurt
Hours: Daily from 11 a.m. to midnight
Phone: 09721-40031
Good to know: German bowling, or "Kegelbahn", is available. A playground is also available.
Silvana Sport- und Freizeitbad
Place: An den Unteren Eichen 1, Schweinfurt
Hours: Daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Phone: 09721-931, ext. 399
Price: Users pay regular entrance fee for groups less than 10 people. With groups of between 10 and 19, one person pays a reduced price. With groups of 20 and more, all pay reduced price.
Good to know: Users can bring their own food. Adults should stay for water support. Guests should bring clothes in a bag.
Kletterwald am See
Place: Rontgenstrasse, Schweinfurt
Hours: Mondays through Thursdays by appointment from noon to 3:30 p.m.; Fridays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Phone: 0151-5062-8302
Price: Climbing parties of 2.5 hours are 5 euros for children ages 3 to 9, 15 euros for children ages 10 to 13, 17 euros for children ages 14 to 17 and 20 euros for adults.
Good to know: Users can barbecue if the venue knows in advance. This is a useful venue for team-building. Guests should wear comfortable clothes. Call from November to March if there is inclement weather.
Seufert Ranch
Place: Heinrichweg 5, Hambach
Hours: Inquire by phone
Phone: 09725-704-7376
Price/package: Horseriding party package for a group of 8 is 179 euros (18 euros for each additional child). Package includes 4.5 hours of horse-riding, games, cake, hot chocolate and children's menu.
Good to know: Parents have the option to stay or drop off and pick up their child. Parents can enjoy the café amenities if they stay. Guests should wear pants and covered shoes and bring a bicycle helmet.
Hotel Sonnenhugel Kinderwelt
Place: Burgstrasse 15, Bad Kissingen
Hours: Daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Phone: 0971-830
Price: Children ages 1 to 2 are 2 euros, children 3 and older are 5 euros. Reservations are needed in advance for adult parties. Prices are dependent upon size and scope of adult parties.
Good to know: Users can bring their own food. Beverages are included in the entrance fee. This is a useful venue for younger children. Guests should bring an extra pair of socks.
Fun Park Kinderland
Place: Werner von Siemens Strasse 16, Wurzburg
Hours: Mondays through Fridays from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Phone: 0931-784-0551
Price/packages: French Fries Party Package is 6.50 euros per child, 2.50 euros per adult and 2.90 euros per menu/child. Chicken Nuggets Party Package is 6.50 euros per child, 2.50 euros per adult and 4.90 euros per menu/child. Pizza Party Package is 6.50 euros per child, 2.50 euros per adult and 5.90 euros per menu/child. Adult Party Package applies to groups of 70 people or more. Party planners should call for menu options.
Good to know: Users cannot bring their own food except for birthday cake for a reserved birthday party. Guests should bring an extra pair of socks.
Takka Tukka Abenteuerland
Place: Alfons Schwab Strasse 2, Kuenzell
Hours: Mondays through Fridays from 2 to 7 p.m.; Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Phone: 0661-29266, ext. 11
Price/packages: Groups must have at least five children. Package 1 is 6.90 euros per child with one adult free and includes decorations, drinks and a small gift for the birthday child. Package 2 is 9.20 euros per child with one adult free and includes the same as Package 1 plus the kids' menu. Package 3 is 10.20 euros per child with one adult free and includes the same as Package 2 as well as one token for go-carts and slush. Package 4, or the climbing party, is 12.20 eeuros per child with one adult free and includes the same as Package 2 as well as two turns in the climbing garden. Package 5, or the soccer party, is 13.20 euros per child with one adult free and includes the same as package 2 as well as one hour on the indoor soccer field.
Good to know: Takka Tukka Abenteuerland is open New Year's Day. Guests should bring an extra pair of socks.
Social Sharing