Awesome New Billings Arcade is Not Just for Kids

After seeing some pictures of the newest Billings arcade in my social media feed this week, I had to stop by and check out the latest kid (and adult-friendly) attraction to open its doors in the Magic City. The Cove at the Bighorn Resort is now open, and it's pretty awesome. Take a look.

It's kind of like a mini Dave and Busters.

The Cove manager, Jillian Moberly, said many of their new guests have compared the arcade to a scaled-down Dave and Busters, the popular adult-oriented arcade/game center found in larger cities like Denver.

A full bar for those 21+.

Unlike other kid-oriented arcades in town, The Cove has a full bar, featuring a fair selection of beer and wine, fun specialty cocktails, and a great selection of mocktails. Moberly said they wanted the arcade to be welcoming for everyone, and the drink selection reflects that.

The bar and restaurant area has a nice dividing wall between the arcade floor, offering parents or date-night guests a bit of space between the action on the floor and their drinks.

Tastier food options.

I scanned the menu while I was taking pictures today, and it's nice to see a variety of options at The Cove. Yes, they have pizza, but they also have sandwiches, burgers, finger food, appetizers, and other selections that appeal to more than a 7-year-old's palate.

A great date-night option.

Tired of bowling, darts, pool, and going to the movies? The Cove seems like a fun option. Have a drink or two and challenge your date to games of skill and chance to get your hearts beating.

The latest games and attractions.

Moberly said a Cove staffer was sent to a four-day arcade game training session in Las Vegas to learn how to troubleshoot and maintain their games, which will rotate throughout the year.

Hours of operation.

The Cove is currently open from 3 pm to 11 pm weekdays, Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 11 pm, and Sunday from 10 am to 9 pm. However, the food and arcade times vary within those hours. Inquire for details.

Over 40 games to play.

The Cove has 43 games, including updated takes on classics like Skeeball, the High Strike, basketball games, and much more.

Win fun prizes.

Like other arcades, most of The Cove's games print out tickets that can be exchanged for prizes. I noticed that their redemption center seems like a standout compared to others, with lots of eye-catching loot.

Lots of multi-player games.

Solo games are fun, but sometimes it's fun to go head-to-head with your competitor.

Fans are loving it.

The Cove opened on September 1st, and Moberly said the community's response has been overwhelmingly positive.

You don't have to stay at the hotel to enjoy the facility.

Yes, The Cove is located inside a hotel, but it's open to anyone. "We love our locals. Actually, most of our guests have been from the community, which has been great. So it's been wonderful," Moberly said.

A new option for birthday parties.

I can't tell you how many kid birthdays I've been to at The Reef (a lot!), and while it's fun for the kiddos, it's sometimes not-that-fun for parents who have to sit around and watch. It's hot and humid, it's REALLY loud, and can sometimes be a bit of an overload.

The new arcade at the Bighorn Resort is a refreshing break from the chaos of the waterslides. The Cove has three private rooms for parties.

Lazer tag, coming soon.

Construction crews were putting the final touches on a huge, blacklit laser tag room adjacent to the arcade. Kids and adults can enjoy this attraction soon, and next time "team building" 🙄comes up at my office, I'm going to suggest this as an option.

What about retro games?

Moberly said several guests have suggested retro video games for us Gen X'ers and up. Think: pinball machines, Pac-Man, Galaga, and other classics, that us parents might want to play while the kids are rocking the massive, two-player Halo game.

There is a great spot in the lobby area of The Cove that would be a perfect, and Moberly said it's definitely something they're considering.

A great addition to Billings' entertainment options.

People are always complaining about "there's nothing to do for kids here", which simply isn't true. The Cove offers another option for kids of all ages to have fun.