LOCAL HOT SPOTS
Fun out of the Sun Let Loose at These Cool Indoor Destinations
Looking to beat the summer heat without missing out on the summer fun? Austin fortunately has plenty of places where you can do just that.
and choose from its assortment of world-class whiskeys, beers, ciders and more. 13729 Research Blvd | pinballzarcade.com
Fly High
Satisfy Your Need for Speed
iFly Austin brings the excitement of skydiving inside all thanks to its vertical wind tunnel. While traditional skydiving requires jumping and falling, the iFly experience entails gently leaning into a smooth column of air until you eventually start floating. No worries if you’ve never done something like this before because a highly trained instructor is there to guide you the entire way. Better still, it is fun for the whole family since the facility welcomes flyers as young as 3 years old. The basic first-time flyer package, which includes two flights, starts at $60. 13265 N US 183, Ste A | iflyworld.com/austin
K1 Speed is go-karting taken up a notch. Its high-performance, environmentally friendly, single-seat electric go-karts that can achieve almost 45 MPH. These speed machines are not only much faster but also more responsive than the amusement park go-karts you might be used to, so you can truly enjoy the thrill of racing. Junior-size karts and adult-size carts are available, with junior kart drivers required to be at least 48 inches tall and adult kart drivers at least 58 inches tall. Separate races are held for each type of kart, so at no time are both junior karts and adult karts together on the track. Each race takes typically about 10 minutes to complete, depending on how fast the racers are going and other variables. When you come out to K1 Speed, you’ll receive all the racing gear you need, including a Department of Transportation– approved helmet along with a safety briefing to ensure you have a good—and safe!—time racing around the indoor track. No reservation is necessary for groups smaller than eight persons. A single race is $23, but you can save if you purchase more than one. 2500 McHale Ct | k1speed.com
Play All the Games If you’re feeling nostalgic for summer days spent hanging out at the arcade, Pinballz is the place for you. From classic pinball machines to modern video games, its Lake Creek location has hundreds of games ready for player one. You’ll find arcade cabinet favorites such as Pac-Man, Galaga, Street Fighter and Space Invaders in the mix. If you need a break from trying to beat the highest score, check out some of the other attractions at the 100,000 square-foot facility, including a virtual reality arena, bumper cars, a laser tag arena, mini-bowling and more. When it’s time for some refreshments, you can enjoy scratch-made eats at Mikki’s Tavern or pop into The Whiskey Bar 52 WATERWAYS | June 2020
At press time the businesses discussed in this story are closed to comply with state and local emergency orders. We encourage you to contact the business to confirm its operating status before visiting
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARCO TORELLI; COURTESY OF K1 SPEED; COURTESY OF PINBALLZ
By Cindy Brzostowski