By SHERRI SMITH BROWN

Georgia > Atlanta Metro > Fulton County > Alpharetta

Go-karts customized by racing great Mario Andretti can reach speeds up to 25 miles per hour at this indoor go-kart track in Alpharetta.

Voted the #1 adrenaline rush in Atlanta, Andretti Indoor Karting and Games in Alpharetta is the nation’s first completely enclosed interactive racing and upscale entertainment facility.

Formerly called the Andretti Speed Lab, the facility, owned and renovated by the Andretti racing family, features two professionally designed SuperKart Race Tracks where adults and kids can test their racing skills. You can reach speeds up to 25 miles per hour and then check the digital timing and scoring system to see where you stand in the track records. Winners hop up on the Winner’s Circle for a photo.

In addition to racing go-karts, there is a 30-foot rock climbing wall, race classes, billiards, a zip line, and ropes course. (more…)

By SHERRI SMITH BROWN

Georgia > Northwest Georgia Mountains > Walker County > Rossville

There are more than 35 rides — some of the oldest in America — at Lake Winnie, a classic American amusement park in the Northwest Georgia Mountains. 

I grew up within walking distance of a classic American amusement park, Riverside, in Indianapolis, Indiana, so it is natural for me to be nostalgic about amusement parks of that era. Built in the early 1900s, these neighborhood family entertainment centers with their wooden roller coasters, Ferris wheels and carousels are few and far between today.

One such amusement park in Georgia has been going strong since it opened its gates to the public in 1925. Classic, traditional, charming, a piece of Americana – those are just some of the ways people describe Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park, affectionately known as Lake Winnie. This is a family-owned, old fashioned, amusement park in Lakeview, near Rossville, that is great for kids of all ages.

The first ride at Lake Winnie was the Boat Chute, constructed in 1926 and 1927. It is the oldest mill chute water ride in the United States, and today remains one of the park’s most popular boat rides. (more…)

By SHERRI SMITH BROWN

Georgia > Northeast Georgia Mountains > Towns County > Young Harris

From arcade games to go-carts to miniature golf, you will find hours of family entertainment at Fun World at Fieldstone. 

Located in the North Georgia Mountains on Lake Chatuge, Fun World at Fieldstone provides families with a bunch of fun in a wholesome atmosphere.

A great place to play, this 83,000-square foot game and activity center has a lot going on. You’ll find laser tag and a four-face climbing wall that is supervised from start to finish. There are five indoor batting cages, ranging from 30 mph slow pitch softball to 65 mph baseball, and slick track go-cart racing with two size go-carts ­- at least 5 years or 44 inches tall and 10 years up or at least 56 inches tall.

The 9-hole indoor miniature golf has a lot of wacky obstacles for extra fun; and the Arcade features over 100 interactive games, including Guitar Hero, Big Bass Wheel, Deal or No Deal, Ghost Squad and Daytona USA. There are inflatables for bouncing and sliding as well as Foam Factory - a three-level interactive foam play area for ages 10 and under that includes two slides and several foam cannons that shoot out foam bouncing balls. The youngest of children will enjoy Toddler Town. (more…)

By SHERRI SMITH BROWN

Georgia > Northeast Georgia Mountains > White County > Helen

Bumper boats on the largest bumper pool in the state is just one of the fun things to enjoy at Helen Amusement Park.

When you are visiting the North Georgia Mountain town of Helen, here’s some old-fashioned fun for the family. The Helen Amusement Park, sometimes known as the Alpine Amusement Park, has nostalgic rides – such as a tilt-a-whirl and ferris wheel – go-carts and what is touted as the largest bumper boat pool in the state.

You will also find batting cages, an arcade, remote controlled boats, and various other kiddy rides. The 18-hole miniature golf course is not elaborate, just a nice little course that even the small ones will enjoy.

Don’t expect Six Flags. Helen Amusement Park is a small park that offers some fairly passive family fun.

Read more about Amusement Parks in Georgia, or about Helen and White County, or find other activities in the Northeast Georgia Mountains Travel Region here at Brown’s Guides.

By Sherri Smith Brown

Georgia > Atlanta Metro > Henry County > McDonough

Riding go-karts is just one of the fun family activities you will find at Fun Town of Henry County.

Fun Town of Henry County is a huge indoor/outdoor family entertainment complex that is a great place for a day of fun with the kids.

You’ll find a nicely landscaped miniature golf course, batting cages, and single-seat and two-seat go-karts. (To drive a single-seat, you must be at least 10 years old and 57 inches tall. To drive a two-seat with someone under 10, you must be 16 and over with a valid driver’s license.) There is also a climbing wall, laser tag, video arcades and billiards.

The Fun Town bowling alley, Fun Bowl, offers open bowling each day of the week, shoe rental, and a snack bar. Cosmic bowling with a light show and music starts at 10 p.m. every Friday and Saturday night with a midnight to 3 p.m. special rate. (more…)

By SHERRI SMITH BROWN

Georgia > Southwest Georgia > Lowndes County > Valdosta

Wild Adventures Water and Theme Park mixes animals, amusement rides and water park rides like the Wahee Cyclone, a four-person tube ride that swirls down a dark, 45-foot funnel.

Thrill rides, water rides — and animals!

A combination amusement park and water park sounds like a lot of fun, but Wild Adventures Water and Theme Park in Valdosta captures both of those and throws in an extra – wild animals – to give you a three-way adventure that is hard to beat.

Wild Adventures is divided into seven sections, each with its own collection of rides and animals.

When it comes to amusement park rides, Wild Adventures offers plenty of family rides – everything from the Century Wheel ferris wheel to the Dizzy Dragons. There are numerous Thrill Rides, including the 50-mph vertical loops of the Boomerang with its six inversions and two hills; The Bug Out – a wild mouse ride with single cars, hair-pin turns, and sudden drops; and the Cheetah, a 90-foot tall, 3,000-foot long wooden roller coaster. And, of course, the gentler Kids Rides, such the Rio Grande Train and Saddle Up Pony Rides, are also plentiful. (more…)