Metro area families can play like they’ve never played before thanks to several venues offering innovative and imaginative entertainment for the entire brood. Whether you’re tackling an over-the-top obstacle course or learning the rules of the road while having fun, memorable go-and-do action awaits.
Slingshot Entertainment
Construction crews and staff have been chipping away inside this cavernous complex, aiming to open later this month. However, a sneak peek reveals an impressive 130,000-square-foot family entertainment center located in a former BJ’s Wholesale Club. Investors have sunk a reported $6.5 million into an attraction they hope not only appeals to the general public, but drives corporate clients, too.
About 60,000 of those square feet belong to the spot’s featured attraction: go kart racing. Green and white racing barrier walls snake across the space, creating winding tracks for 40 Sodi brand go karts to burn rubber. The vehicles run on electricity, which means no stinky exhaust. We slipped on racing helmets and strapped in for a test drive. Zipping through the twisting turns, the surprisingly smooth ride, complete with subtle fishtails, proved miles away from the rumbly go kart rides of youth.
Although the track gets top billing at Slingshot, even more action awaits after crossing the finish line. A swank 14-lane bowling lounge will allow interactivity during games. With help from an app, you can take pictures while playing and those images materialize on the screen above.
Fans of the TV series “American Ninja Warrior” and its extreme obstacle courses can get a taste of what competitors face on the show. A pair of courses, one for adults and one for kids, have been designed by an “American Ninja Warrior” contestant and are inspired by those seen on the program. Challenges include a peg board, slack bridge, gecko wall and more.
Slingshot Entertainment is packing the rest of the place with a two-story restaurant, a full bar and lounge, a video arcade, a massive kid’s play structure and corporate meeting rooms. With business clients in mind, Slingshot will put corporate team building into the pits with its Tire Challenge: Groups will attempt to change the tire of a race car as fast as they can.
6344 Cash Court, Peachtree Corners. slingshotplay.com.
Tiny Towne
While most car-themed family attractions go for racing and flash, Tiny Towne takes a thoughtful detour. Set up as a miniature city, featuring facades of a fire department and storefronts, Tiny Towne has its own array of intersecting roads. With names such as Defensive Drive and Awareness Avenue, the Traffic Track streets play host to Smart Cars, electric golf carts boasting serious tech.
The staff calls the experience “edutainment.” Instead of focusing on speed, drivers must obey realistic traffic signals, signs and driving regulations. It’s the closest thing to a real-world behind-the-wheel trip a kid can get without plopping them in the driver’s seat on nearby Beaver Ruin Road.
Before they can put the pedal to the metal for the first time at Tiny Towne, however, they have to make a stop at the in-house DMV. Kids must score 100 percent on a touch-screen driver’s test to get a Tiny Towne license. But, don’t fret. They can take it as many times as they need to pass, and parents can give a little roadside assistance.
Next, it’s off to a driving simulator, which features realistic controls and a video monitor. Once they’ve received a seal of approval from the staff, it’s time to hit the streets of Tiny Towne. Their knowledge gets put to the test as members of the Tiny Towne police department patrol the streets. If you bump into the guard rail one too many times, you may see the flashing lights of cop car and get a ticket for reckless driving.
If you prove to be a safe driver, your vehicle automatically gets adjusted to perform at higher speeds. Get popped with too many traffic violations, and you get less drive time and your Smart Car goes slower.
After your first visit and getting your license, you’re invited back for free driving classes Saturday mornings.
Although only drivers ages 9 and older can explore the Traffic Track, younger ones aren’t left in the garage. Kids ages 3-9 can maneuver mini cars on the smaller Tiny Track. And kids of all ages can hop aboard Tiny Towne’s train for a trek around the facility.
An in-house grill with food and drinks, an arcade and an elevated deck for parents to watch are among the amenities. And, if you need more cash, Tiny Towne’s bank even has a working ATM.
Hours through Aug. 9: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sundays; hours after Aug. 9: 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays. 2055 Beaver Ruin Road, Norcross. 470-545-7227, tinytowne.com.
OTHER FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT OPTIONS
Dave & Busters
The longtime entertainment chain has a keen eye on playtime. From billiards to a slew of arcade and redemption games — they even have bowling at the Lawrenceville location — Dave & Busters keeps guests busy. When they’re not getting their game on with machines, including the new Angry Birds Arcade, visitors can eat and drink. Check out the summer tiki drink specials and new menu items, including burgers.
11:30 a.m.-midnight Sundays-Thursdays, 11:30 a.m.-1 a.m. Fridays-Saturdays. 4000 Venture Drive, Duluth. 770-497-1152; 5900 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville. 678-847-5400; 2215 D&B Drive, Marietta. 770-951-5554. daveandbusters.com.
Andretti Indoor Karting & Games
Adults take to their own curvy track in Sodi karts, while kids tackle an oval track in Bandit karts. Play video and bar games, ride a zip line over the track, scale a rock wall and conquer the ropes course. The XD Dark Ride, billed as a 7-D interactive movie experience, finds guests firing laser guns at the screen hoping for the high score. Step into a Cruden racing simulator just like the pros. When you can catch your breath, you can grab a bite or a cocktail. A second Marietta location will open soon.
10 a.m.-2 a.m. Mondays, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays, 10 a.m.-1 a.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Sundays. 11000 Alpharetta Highway, Roswell. 770-992-5688, andrettikarting.com.
Main Event Entertainment
You can hit the bowling lanes, cue up some billiards, scale a ropes course or hunker down for video games at both locations of Main Event. They also offer laser tag, which places blaster-wielding players on a fog-filled playing field. Players can reboot on sandwiches, speciality pizzas, a full bar and more.
9 a.m.-2 a.m. Mondays, 9 a.m.-midnight Tuesdays-Thursdays, 9 a.m.-2 a.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 9 a.m.-midnight Sundays. 3101 Cobb Parkway S.E., Atlanta. 770-955-0717; 10700 Davis Drive, Alpharetta. 770-521-9100. mainevent.com.
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