Do you remember that feeling as a kid in the arcade, when you were gripping the tightly-screwed rubber steering wheel of Cruisin’ USA? The music blasting, the pedals beneath your feet, wishing you could really floor the gas and whip around corners in your car? I never realized that outside of a real NASCAR car, I could actually get that experience. When Chase and I took on the very new, and very shiny Andretti Indoor Karting complex in my stomping grounds, I was very impressed.
As soon as you walk in, you’re supposed to register and sign a waiver. You need to be at LEAST 8 years old to drive a kart, and while the Marietta location doesn’t yet have double karts (for a passenger), the Roswell location does. We were given a short briefing on helmet safety, flag signals and shown the lockers where you can stash your purse for 50 cents (no bags allowed on the karts, so pack LIGHT). When we go back, I will only bring a wallet and phone. Nothing else is needed! (Plus, a purse really weighs you down in Laser tag!)
The karts were SO MUCH FUN. I went as fast as I could while still being a weeny driver. Chase lapped me before I had gone around 3 times. He was a speed demon and really drifted nicely around the tight corners. But I was immediately taken back to those times in the arcade when I really wished I could gun it and take sharp turns. We got a really long ride, I lost count of how many times we zipped around the indoor course. Though the helmet was really padded, sanitary and safe, it was hard to hear anything anyone said to you!
If you’re not into karting, or you’re too young, you can always take on laser tag (any age that wear the vest) or bowl to your heart’s content. They had couches and lounges instead of those hard clamshell chairs; very luxe. I liked all the tvs and menu food to enjoy while you waited our turn to pitch an 8 pounder down the lane.
While Chase and I had a blast, I don’t think our kids are quite old enough to enjoy Andretti Karting. Yes, there were many many arcade games set to a preschooler’s speed, and they can bowl with bumpers, but the real draw here is the karts; they are very cool. For now, we’ll enjoy a kid-less date night with high end foods, a few bevvies and lots of tandem gaming!
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