There are plenty of ways to have fun in Ocean Shores, but if your idea of a good vacation includes a little friendly competition, it might be time to get behind the wheel of a go-kart.
Ocean Shores go karts are one of those classic beach-town activities that work particularly well when you’re traveling with kids, teenagers or a group of adults who suddenly become extremely competitive the second someone mentions a race.
For go-kart racing in Ocean Shores, the place to know is Playtime Family Fun. Located right in town, just minutes up the road from the Polynesian, Playtime combines traditional go-karts with a slick track and several other amusement-style activities, making it easy to turn a few laps around the track into an afternoon of family fun.
Here’s what to know before you race.
Where can you race go karts in Ocean Shores?
The primary destination for Ocean Shores go karts is Playtime Family Fun, located at 752 Point Brown Avenue NE.
Playtime Family Fun has the feel of a classic coastal amusement stop. Go-karts are one of the main attractions, but they’re far from the only thing to do. The facility also advertises a slick track, bumper cars, a roller coaster, giant slide, game room, and virtual reality experiences.
That’s useful when you’re visiting with a group because nobody necessarily has to agree on one activity. You can come specifically to race the go-karts and then stick around for something else afterward.
The official Ocean Shores tourism site specifically highlights go-karts and ice cream at Playtime as one of the city’s family-friendly experiences.
Racing the regular go-karts
If you want the traditional Ocean Shores go-kart experience, start with Playtime’s standard go-kart track. The attraction offers both single and double karts, so you aren’t limited to one person per vehicle. That can make go-karting more accessible to families traveling with younger children who aren’t ready to drive independently.
And while racing your family is half the fun, this isn’t bumper cars with steering wheels. Playtime specifically prohibits bumping and erratic driving on its go-kart track. Save the intentional collisions for the actual bumper cars.
Try the slick track
Once you’ve tried the regular go-karts, Playtime has another option: the slick track.
The attraction describes its slick track with the choice of going “mild or wild,” offering a different driving experience from the standard go-kart course. Both single and double rides are available.
If your group is there specifically for Ocean Shores go karts, trying both tracks gives you more than one racing experience without having to drive to another attraction.
It also creates an obvious opportunity for a rematch when someone starts making excuses about why they lost the first race.
What else is there to do at Playtime Family Fun?
The go-karts may get you through the door, but there’s plenty more to do once you’re there.
Playtime Family Fun currently advertises:
- Go-karts
- Slick track
- Bumper cars
- Roller coaster
- Giant slide
- Game room
- Virtual reality
That makes it particularly useful for families with children of different ages or interests. Instead of planning a separate stop every time someone wants to do something different, you can choose from several activities in one place.
The small roller coaster, for example, has its own height requirements. Playtime currently lists a minimum height of 36 inches to ride alone or 33 inches when riding with an adult.
There’s also a game room if you’ve had enough time behind the wheel or simply want to keep the competition going indoors. Plus, the indoor bumper cars and arcade games are a great alternative option if the go-kart track closes due to inclement weather.
Get ice cream after the race
There may be no official rule stating that go-kart racing should end with ice cream, but Ocean Shores gives you a pretty good opportunity to make one.
Peppermint Parlor is part of the Playtime Family Fun operation, so you can go from racing to dessert without needing to plan another major stop.
The combination is even highlighted by Tourism Ocean Shores, which recommends go-karts and ice cream at Playtime as part of the city’s family-fun offerings.
That makes Playtime easy to fit into a vacation day. You don’t necessarily have to devote an entire morning or afternoon to it. Race a few laps, try another attraction, grab something sweet and move on to whatever comes next.
Are Ocean Shores go karts just for kids?
Definitely not. Go-karts have a way of being advertised as a family activity while quietly bringing out the competitive side of every adult in the group.
Playtime offers single karts as well as doubles, so the experience can work for different types of groups. Families can race together, teenagers can challenge each other, couples can compete for vacation bragging rights, and adults traveling without children have absolutely no reason to sit this one out.
In fact, go-karts can be a particularly fun addition to an adults’ Ocean Shores weekend because they require almost no planning. You don’t need special equipment, a lesson or an entire afternoon.
Show up. Pick a kart. Race.
What else can you do nearby?
Go-karting is easy to combine with some of Ocean Shores’ other classic vacation activities.
Pacific Paradise is another family amusement destination in town. While Playtime is your go-to destination for go-karts, Pacific Paradise is a great option for mini golf and bumper boats.
That distinction is worth knowing if you’re specifically searching for Ocean Shores go karts: head to Playtime for the racing. But if your family wants to turn the day into an amusement crawl, you can pair go-karts with mini golf, bumper boats or other activities around town. And, of course, there’s still the beach.
Visitors can enjoy everything from golf and biking to kite flying, beach driving and go-kart racing among the many recreational experiences available around town. That’s one of the advantages of Ocean Shores: you don’t have to choose one type of vacation.
How to fit go-kart racing into your Ocean Shores vacation
You don’t really need to build a full day around Ocean Shores go karts. That’s part of the appeal.
Spend the morning on the beach, head into town for lunch and race go-karts in the afternoon. Or make Playtime your first stop before heading out for an evening walk along the water.
Families can also pair go-karts with some of Ocean Shores’ other classic activities. Race at Playtime, play mini golf, get ice cream and finish the day back at the beach. And after you’ve spent the afternoon determining who’s actually the fastest driver in the family, you can head back to Polynesian Rentals for some downtime.
The Polynesian’s indoor pool and hot tub make a pretty good change of pace after a day exploring Ocean Shores. Or head back to your condo, make dinner and settle in for the evening before deciding what you’re going to do tomorrow.
Just don’t expect the argument over who won the race to be settled by then.
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