A bowling alley is a place where at least one, and usually several, lanes are set up for a game in which players try to knock down 10 pins at the far end of the lane with a heavy ball.

In contrast to its European variant nine-pin bowling, the standard game of bowling uses a heavier and larger ball (about 218 mm in diameter), longer lanes, and pins arranged in a triangular rather than diamond pattern. A game consists of multiple attempts to knock down as many pins as possible, with a maximum score of 300 points.

One equipped lane is sufficient, although bowling alleys commonly have several. The ten-pin layout distinguishes the facility from a nine-pin bowling venue.