If you tire of checking your blind spot before changing lanes, or your speed-obsessed grandson is coming to town, metro Atlanta's go-kart tracks are singing their siren song. Here's a breakdown of five tracks where you can sate your thrill jones.
It's worth noting that the tracks typically require closed-toe shoes and have various height requirements and days and hours of operation. Calling ahead or checking online would be wise.
American Adventures Fun Park
250 Cobb Pkwy. North
Marietta, GA 30062
770-428-5217
One ride: $5.49 (Parking is $10, which can be used as a credit toward purchases).
What you get for $20: All-day wristband for $19.99 for unlimited go-karts, miniature golf, foam factory and rides. Three-hour wristband is $15.99.
The skinny: Tucked into the corner of American Adventures' theme park closest to Cobb Parkway, there's not a whole lot to the track, parts of which could stand to be re-paved. But the karts have some pick-up, and there's rarely a wait to ride. A drawback is that the park closes at 8 p.m. Saturdays and 7 p.m. the rest of the week, so it's not an evening option.
Andretti Karting and Games
11000 Alpharetta Hwy.
Roswell, GA 30076
770-992-5688
One ride: $19.95 for adults (must be 16 with license), with purchase of $7 one-year membership; $12 for juniors.
What you get for $20: One ride. Three rides for $51.50 for adults, 3 for $30 for juniors.
The skinny: This is go-karting at a different level, and the prices reflect it. The karts have a lot more zip — they can hit 25-30 mph — and hug the indoor track's turns. If the wallets can handle it, it's worth the trip for speed junkies. Andretti accommodates children, but with a bar and corporate team building packages, among other things, it caters to young adults.
Dixieland Fun Park
1675 Hwy. 85 North
Fayetteville, GA 30214
770-460-5862
One ride: Not applicable
What you get for $20: Entry pass for $19 for unlimited go-karts, bumper boats, miniature golf and carnival-type rides. $12 for children under 43 inches or adults 55 and over. Admission is $10 on Mondays. Parking is $2.
A pretty good value with two different tracks (one of which requires drivers to have a license) available with admission. The shorter course is a slick track (lots of turns on a short course and some potential for "drifting") with pretty good karts. The longer course has decent karts and is smooth with plenty of turns and elevation changes. There are seldom waits. Note that it's open Thursday to Monday.
Malibu Grand Prix
5400 Brook Hollow Pkwy.
Norcross, GA 30071
770-416-7630
One ride: $5.99
What you get for $20: Unlimited go-karts and miniature golf (from coupon on Web site) for $19.99.
Easily the most popular track in metro Atlanta, with a corresponding wait during its busiest times. With three successive hairpin turns, the track is fun to drive and lends itself to a lot of passing, the joy of racing with buddies. An additional draw is the Grand Prix course, a roughly 1/3-mile layout that drivers can take on (in intervals, so no racing) in souped-up karts that can hit 30 mph.
Mountasia
175 Barrett Pkwy.
Marietta, GA 30066
770-422-7227
One ride: $5.99
What you get for $20: Unlimited go-karts, bumper boats and miniature golf for $19.99 (from coupon on Web site).
Like American Adventures, the track has some bumps. Further, the karts aren't the fastest or tightest, so prepare to be jostled a bit. The layout is one of the better and longer ones, with plenty of turns and elevation changes. Typically, there's not much of a wait, and you also get a long ride, around 7 minutes.
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