Urban Fort Play
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Urban Fort Play offers a unique, worry-free experience primarily centered around private birthday parties for young children (under 8), providing themed decoration setup, thoughtful amenities, and the flexibility to bring your own food. Beyond parties, it's a clean, whimsical space with engaging play features, delicious food/coffee for adults, and a cozy atmosphere suitable for playdates and casual visits.
Key Highlights
- ✓Offers exceptionally 'worry-free' and 'relaxing' private birthday parties.
- ✓Birthday party set-up and tear-down service (e.g., Construction theme for $30) is 'hands down worth it', handling all decorations beautifully.
- ✓Owner provides thoughtful touches for parties, such as platters and stands for desserts.
- ✓Kids receive special themed gifts (e.g., construction hat and vest) at parties that are continuously enjoyed.
- ✓Clean and whimsical facility featuring a prominent 'fort' and a 'super fast slide' that are big hits.
- ✓Plenty of comfortable seating areas for adults, both within and adjacent to the kids' play space.
- ✓Delicious food (e.g., warm flaky chocolate croissant, caprese panini) and great coffee available for adults.
- ✓Cozy, inviting, casual, and comfortable atmosphere.
- ✓Retail area with 'amazing brands' and 'good books' for kids, allowing parents to browse while children play.
- ✓Staff is described as 'friendly and upbeat'.
Standout Features
- ⭐Customizable private birthday parties with optional professional decoration setup and tear-down.
- ⭐Flexible food policy allowing parents to bring their 'favorite food' for parties, avoiding 'overpaying' for chain options.
- ⭐Engaging play structures including a large 'fort' and a 'super fast slide'.
- ⭐On-site cafe serving high-quality food (e.g., caprese panini, chocolate croissant) and coffee.
- ⭐Dual function as a play space and a retail store offering curated children's products and books.
- ⭐Board games available for both kids and adults.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Book birthday parties for younger children for early slots (e.g., 9-11 AM) to align with nap schedules.
- →Strongly consider opting for the $30 set-up and tear-down service for birthday parties for a stress-free experience.
- →Take advantage of the allowance to bring your own food and desserts for private parties to customize your menu and manage costs.
- →CALL AHEAD or check their latest online updates (website/social media) to confirm the specific availability of the play area and food service before making a trip, particularly if it's your main reason for visiting, to avoid disappointment (referencing Review 3).
- →Allow time to browse the unique selection of children's brands and books in their retail section.
Things to Consider
- ⚠A past incident reported a significant misadvertisement where a visitor arrived expecting a play area and food but found neither, being informed it would be available months later, leading to a 'huge waste of a trip'. Parents should verify current offerings before visiting, especially if traveling a distance.
Price & Value
The $30 fee for birthday party set-up and tear-down is specifically highlighted as 'hands down worth it', indicating excellent value for a premium service. The ability to bring your own food for private parties is also seen as a significant value, allowing customization and cost savings compared to venues that force expensive food purchases.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •No specific accessibility features or accommodations for special needs were mentioned in the reviews.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •Outside food and desserts (e.g., cupcakes) are explicitly allowed for private birthday parties, enabling customization and cost savings.
- •An on-site cafe offers a selection of 'delicious food' and 'great coffee', including specific items like chocolate croissants and caprese paninis.
🚗Parking Info
- •No specific parking information (e.g., free lot, street parking) was mentioned in the reviews.
👥Crowd Levels
- •Private party bookings ensure no external crowds during your reserved time slot.
- •No specific information was provided regarding crowd levels during general open play hours.
🛡️Safety Features
- •The facility is consistently described as 'clean'.
- •No other specific safety protocols (e.g., staff supervision ratios, secured entry/exit) were explicitly detailed in the reviews.
⏰When to Avoid
- • Avoid visiting without prior confirmation of their current play area and food service offerings, especially if you are traveling a significant distance or have specific expectations (due to past inconsistencies).
- • Likely not ideal for older children (e.g., 8+) as the play features are geared towards younger ages.
Pricing/Package/Events
Photos
What People Say
What's Great
- Fun and entertaining activities (mentioned in 3 reviews)
- Great for birthday parties (mentioned in 3 reviews)
- Spacious play areas (mentioned in 5 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Vanessa Costello
a year agoWe had my sons 2nd birthday party here. We chose the early time from 9-11 to work with nap time. We chose the construction theme and the $30 dollars for the set up and tear down is hands down worth it. It was so nice not to have to set up decorations & they looked beautiful. We were allowed access at 8:45 to set up the cupcakes & desserts we had bought. The owner had platters & stands we were able to use which was very thoughtful. She also gave our son a construction hat & vest that he’s continuously played with all weekend long! We only had 3 children at the party with 12 adults. There are plenty of places to sit as an adult, although we mostly sat on the floor with our son while he played. The kids had a blast, there are so many areas for them to play and run around. I’d highly recommend for a child’s birthday party! We had a great time & can’t wait to come back during their play hours when we are back in town.
Destiney Joell'e
a year agoI didn't want to leave..even as the adult/parent. My baby girl had so much fun and this was the most worry free/relaxing party I've ever thrown. I just wish I knew about it sooner to have all my kids parties here. The facility was clean and whimsical...I only wish I was a kids and could play as much as they did here...the actual fort was a big hit...and the super fast slide. I love how I could bring my favorite food vs having to over pay for a one topping pizza from a chain of thier choice like how other places do. Private play is my favorite way to do parties and Urban Fort Play did it the best!!
Dominique Jones
a month agoI was not happy when me and my toddler arrived on a rainy day to play inside and get lunch just to be surprised with no food or play area. Instead was advised there would be a play area in about 6 months. I just feel it shouldn’t be advertised because this was a huge waste of a trip.
Aleksandra Degtereva
5 months agoWonderful experience: we stopped by with my lo. Your kids can play there while you are browsing all the fun stuff for kids of different ages and with different price tags. There are amazing brands, good books, and overall, a very cozy atmosphere. We loved it.
Rocco Danna
6 years agoWith or without the kids, Urban Fort has delicious food and great coffee in a space that is inviting, casual, and comfortable. Check out the warm flaky chocolate croissant and the caprese pannini. Board games for kids and adults. If you've got a kid(s) under 8 and are looking to play and socialize, this is the place. There are tables and chairs off to the side as well as in the thick of the kids area. The staff is friendly and upbeat.