Duckpin Bowling North Chelmsford Lanes – a Hall of Famer!

One of the last of the 3 remaining duckpin bowling lanes in Massachusetts, North Chelmsford Duckpins is a little bit tricky to find, but once you meet owner and duckpin hall of famer John DePalma you'll be happy you stopped by.

John, who recently was inducted into the Duckpin Professional Bowlers Association Hall of Fame, has owned the alley since 1974 and is a wealth of knowledge about the history of duckpins. Why, he even has a display of the many types of bowling pins there are, so you can see one-right-next-to-another how really different they are.

North Chelmsford Duckpin Lanes is on the basement level of a single story commercial building in busy Vinal Square (which isn't really a square at all, more like a starburst, with streets combining every which way. My advice? Look for Wotton street and Route 3A and it's right on the corner.)

The entrance is in the front of the building, and as with most Retro Roadmap places, once you open the door you know you're stepping back in time.

But since this is in the basement - hold the bannister so you don't stumble down the stairs!

While it was quiet during our quick visit, John said they have leagues play a lot, so to be safe, call to make sure there's a lane open for you.

Click here to see a swell little video of John done by the Lowell Sun when John was inducted into the Hall of Fame. 

Remember - this is Duckpin Country!