The 4 Best Places For Go Karting In Pensacola - Driven Raceway (2024)

Located in the westernmost part of Florida, Pensacola is a city found in the Panhandle. As with any city, there are loads of fun activities for you to try in Pensacola.

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For instance, you can visit the historic Saenger Theater if you are interested in film history. Alternatively, you can attend the Pensacola Museum of Art.

The 4 Best Places For Go Karting In Pensacola - Driven Raceway (1)

On the other hand, you should consider go karting if you prefer something more exhilarating and fast-paced.

This is a fun activity perfect for kids, adults, and families. Plus, there are venues that cater to different levels of experience.

Therefore, you can find somewhere suitable for you. However, it can be difficult to choose a karting location as there are lots of factors to consider.

For instance, karting experiences are sold at different prices depending on the venue. Moreover, there are different restrictions for every karting place.

If you are interested in giving karting a try while you are in Pensacola, we have found 4 fabulous karting places in and around the area.

Fast Eddies Fun Center

The 4 Best Places For Go Karting In Pensacola - Driven Raceway (2)

Designed for families, Fast Eddies Fun Center is a great place for a family day out. They have a plethora of different activities, including go karting, batting cages, and mini golf.

These go karts are perfect for birthday parties. Your family will love the high speeds of these vehicles.

State: Florida

City: Pensacola

Type: Outdoor

Track: 3

Karts: Single or double

Karts Top Speed: Various with the highest being 45mph

Requirements: Various

Onsite Food & Beverages: Yes

Entertainment: Yes

Party & Group Booking: Yes

Merch Shop: No

Price Range: $7.95 – $54.95

Location: 505 W Michigan Ave, Pensacola, FL 32505

Opening Hours:

  • Sunday – Thursday 11am – 9pm
  • Friday – Saturday 11am – 10pm

Track: There are 3 tracks that you can use, such as Junior Racers, Crazy 8, Spinn’ & Grinnin’. All tracks are brilliant, but they are designed for different purposes.

While the Junior Races track is designed for young drivers, the other two tracks are made for families. Therefore, you should think about which track is optimal for you.

Karts: With a range of single or double karts, you can drive solo or with your child. These double karts are brilliant for parental binding, so you might want to give them a shot if you want your child to experience the thrill of karting.

Speed: These karts can reach high speeds. The junior models are designed to be slower since they’re made for kids. The fastest karts can achieve 45mph, so you will get some truly thrilling speed boosts.

Food And Beverage: There is a snack bar at Fast Eddies, serving foods such as pizzas and burgers.

They also have sweet desserts, including ice cream. These foods are popular with kids, so you are sure to find stuff on the menu that is suitable for families.

There are also lots of drink options on the menu, so you can keep yourself refreshed after working up a sweat.

Entertainment: As a fun center, Fast Eddies has loads of amazing activities. This includes mini-golf, batting cages, and an arcade.

All of these activities are designed for kids and families, so they make for brilliant ways of spending time over the holidays and on weekends.

Booking: If you want to celebrate your kid’s birthday with some fun activities and appetizing food, then Fast Eddies Fun Center is the place for you.

These range from $175.95 – $289.95, but you get a lot for your money. Plus, this takes the hassle out of organizing a party.

Restrictions: The restrictions are different depending on the track. The junior racer course is suitable for anyone under 54”.

Any kids aged between 4 and 7 can participate in this track. This allows kids who are passionate about karting to get their first taste of the sport.

Meanwhile, if you want to use a double kart on the Crazy 8 track, passengers must be below 48”.

The driver must be over the age of 18 years. If you wish to partake in the Speedway race, you should be at least 16 years old. You must be in possession of a legitimate I.D. to ride.

The number of tracks means that people of different ages can take part.

Laguna’s Beach Bar + Grill

The 4 Best Places For Go Karting In Pensacola - Driven Raceway (3)

Our next pick is Laguna Beach Bar + Grill, which is much more than a magnificent restaurant. This beachside establishment also has access to tons of activities, including go karting.

State: Florida

City: Pensacola

Type: Outdoor

Track: 1

Karts: Single or double

Karts Top Speed: Various

Requirements: Various

Onsite Food & Beverages: Yes

Entertainment: Yes

Party & Group Booking: Yes

Merch Shop: No

Price Range: $15

Location: 460 Pensacola Beach Blvd., Pensacola Beach, FL 32561

Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday 10am – 10pm

Track: The track is fairly basic, but it is nonetheless an exciting outdoor experience with a decent number of turns.

Karts: The karts come in bright colors, making them very visually appealing. You can either opt for a single or double kart, depending on whether you wish to ride alone or with a passenger.

Speed: While we are not sure what the top speeds of these karts are, we can say for sure that these karts can reach fast speeds.

Food And Beverage: As a restaurant, Laguna’s Bar has some of the best range of food options of any go karting course that we have ever seen. Among the most popular options are pizzas, salads, wings, and sweets by the slice.

The options on the menu are enticing, so you should definitely consider trying something from the restaurant once you have finished karting.

Entertainment: Aside from being a restaurant and go karting venue, Laguna’s Beach Bar also provides watersports. For example, you can give jet skiing a try if you have never done it before.

These sports are particularly good for kids who love swimming and feel comfortable in the water. Other watersports activities include going on a banana boat, dolphin tours, and parasails.

Booking: You can book events, such as parties, via the website. There, you can submit an inquiry. This inquiry allows you to include details about the event, allowing you to customize it.

Restrictions: There are lots of different karting options to choose from and each has different restrictions.

For example, if you want to use a single kart, you must be at least 9 years old and be over 54” in height.

Furthermore, your weight cannot be over 300lbs. Meanwhile, for double karts, the driver must be over the age of 16. Plus, they have to be over 54” tall.

The passenger is required to be over the age of 3 years and taller than 36”. The combined weight of the driver and the passenger cannot exceed 500lbs.

The various restrictions for the single and double karts mean that practically everyone can get involved, Even young children will be able to experience karts thanks to these options.

The Track

The 4 Best Places For Go Karting In Pensacola - Driven Raceway (4)

Roughly an hour away from Pensacola, the Track is an amazing go karting location in Destin. If you adore karting, it is certainly worth the journey.

The Track offers a large selection of karts and tracks, which few other places are able to compete with. Ideal for adults and kids, we thoroughly recommend giving this place a try.

State: Florida

City: Destin

Type: Outdoor

Tracks: 5

Karts: Various

Karts Top Speed: Various

Requirements: Various

Onsite Food & Beverages: Yes

Entertainment: Yes

Party & Group Booking: Yes

Merch Shop: No

Price Range: 5-12 Points

Location: 1125 Highway 98 East, Destin, FL 32541

Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday 10am – 11pm

Track: With different tracks depending on your needs, this establishment has some of the best tracks we have ever seen. They are expansive and full of fun turns. They will give you a hair-raising experience.

Karts: There are tons of different karts on offer, including double and singles. This also includes karts specifically designed for kids. This means that everyone can participate in a fun day out.

Speed: Reaching speeds of over 25 mph, these karts are quite fast. You should bear in mind that the speed will depend on what variety of kart you opt for.

Namely, the junior karts are much slower than those designed for adults. This is to keep young drivers safe.

Food And Beverage: When it comes to food and drink, this is probably the Track’s weakest area. It offers basic drink options to cool yourself down.

Plus, you can find a few snack options. However, you will be unable to get any onsite meals. Luckily, there are a few different restaurants nearby.

Entertainment: The Track offers an astonishing array of entertainment options. This includes rides, such as the Spinning Coaster, in the Thrill Zone.

If you want something more relaxing, The Track also provides mini golf and an arcade. Be sure to check some of these activities out.

Booking: Conveniently book parties and group events online via the website. You can also buy points, which are used as currency at The Track.

Restrictions: When it comes to restrictions, there is something for practically everyone here. The kid karts can be used by anyone in the range of 36” and 40” tall. Plus, you must weigh under 150lbs.

This is a great way for kids to give karting a try. For older kids, rookie karts can be used by anyone over 40” tall and weighing under 250lbs.

If you want to use the family track, you must weigh under 300lbs to use a single kart and under 500lbs combined for the double karts. Passengers are required to be over 30” to ride.

Meanwhile, the driver must be over the age of 16 years and 46” tall. Plus, they must have an ID to prove their age. The slick track has a maximum weight of 300lbs and the driver must be over 50”.

Wild Willy’s Adventure Zone

The 4 Best Places For Go Karting In Pensacola - Driven Raceway (5)

Our final pick is also in Destin. Like the previous example, it can be reached from Pencola in just over an hour. This park is clearly aimed at families, so you may want to look elsewhere if you desire a serious karting experience.

State: Florida

City: Destin

Type: Outdoor

Tracks: 3

Karts: Single or double

Karts Top Speed: Various

Requirements: Various

Onsite Food & Beverages: No

Entertainment: Yes

Party & Group Booking: Yes

Merch Shop: No

Price Range: $4 – $11

Location: 1306 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548

Opening Hours:

  • Monday – Saturday 10am – 10pm
  • Sunday 10am – 8pm

Track: We love all 3 of these incredible tracks. The Gator is 1,100 feet long with tons of turns. Meanwhile, The Coyote is designed to put your driving skills to the test. Finally, the Junior track is built for young drivers.

Karts: You can use either a double or single kart depending on what you’re looking for. Double karts are brilliant for families with kids.

Speed: These karts are designed to be noble and easy to maneuver.

Food And Beverage: While there aren’t any onsite food establishments, there are lots of nearby restaurants to keep you well fed.

Entertainment: This venue is not just dedicated to karting, but also has lots of other activities. This includes golf, laser tag, and VR experiences.

Booking: Booking a party is super straightforward via the wonderful website.

Restrictions: For the Gator, drivers must be over 46” to drive alone. For double karts, drivers need to be over the age of 16.

The occupants of the double kart cannot weigh more than 500lbs. The restrictions for the Coyote are similar but slightly different, requiring the drivers to be a little taller.

If you are outside of this range, fear not. You can participate in the junior track if you weigh under 90lbs.

Final Thoughts

While it might be difficult to pick just one of these go karting venues in Pensacola, feel free to visit multiple. They all have different features, so you will get a different karting experience in each place.

If you only have time to visit one location, we recommend weighing up the features of each of our recommendations to find what works best for you.

If you enjoyed this article, you might enjoy our post on ‘The 5 Best Places For Go Karting In San Antonio‘.

The 4 Best Places For Go Karting In Pensacola - Driven Raceway (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to go karting? ›

Remember, slow in = fast out. To maintain a competitive pace, you should also stick to using just one pedal at a time. As well as causing spin-outs and slower lap times, pressing down on the brake and accelerator simultaneously can even cause some karts to cut-out altogether.

How to get the fastest time in go kart? ›

We recently spoke to our expert indoor go karting instructors to get their top 10 tips on how some minor changes can really help to improve lap times.
  1. Tip 1 – Make sure you're sat properly. ...
  2. Tip 2 – Hold the racing line. ...
  3. Tip 3 – Grip it like a clock. ...
  4. Tip 4 – Slow down. ...
  5. Tip 5 – Ignore others on the track.
Jun 15, 2022

How do you win at go kart tracks? ›

If you want to stand on the podium, you need to know these hacks before your next stop at Andretti Indoor Karting and Games.
  1. Don't Lean in. When approaching a corner, avoid leaning your body, doing this will place more weight over your inside wheels. ...
  2. Get comfortable. ...
  3. Hold the line. ...
  4. Keep moving. ...
  5. Steal the lead. ...
  6. Enjoy yourself.

What is the best racing line in go karting? ›

To find the best racing line, you should focus on hitting the apex of each turn, which is the point at which you are closest to the inside of the turn. To hit the apex, you should start turning the wheel before you reach the turn, gradually increasing the pressure as you approach the apex.

How do you beat everyone in karting? ›

How to Win Your Go Kart Races
  1. Be a Smooth Operator. We understand you want to go fast, Shake-n-Bake style, like Ricky Bobby. ...
  2. Brake Like a Pro. ...
  3. Don't Lean In. ...
  4. Use the Entire Track. ...
  5. Drifting and Sliding Isn't As Cool As It Looks. ...
  6. Overtake and Pass Correctly. ...
  7. Avoid Collisions. ...
  8. Relax and Have Fun.

Is go-karting hard on your body? ›

Go-karting can be tiring because you use more muscles than you think! Your hands, arms, shoulders and upper back may all ache after a race. This is because all these muscles are engaged to keep the car under control, so they stay tensed for a long time.

When to brake in a go kart? ›

Many professionals in go-karting follow a common rule: "slow in, fast out." While taking a turn, you should slow down by applying a little pressure with your brake. Then, as you are leaving the turn, speed up while holding the wheel straight. You need to apply the brakes gently and ease yourself into your brake.

How to go round corners in go karting? ›

Come off the brake as you start to turn in. Turn gradually into the corner, keeping control over the wheel. Aim for the corner apex, but if you can't get to it, stay as close to the inside edge as possible. Maintain consistent power throughout the turn, and accelerate as you exit.

Should you drift in karting? ›

While drifting is more common in cars that go at speeds of over 40mph, it is possible to drift in a go-kart. However, this is not usually recommended - while drifting can be fun to learn and put into action, it's more risk than reward.

Do go-kart tracks make money? ›

Karting and related businesses are at the top, as they are incredibly profitable. According to the latest research, the industry has dramatically scaled during the last five years.

How do you get the best lap in go-karting? ›

How to improve go karting lap times
  1. Position yourself in the kart correctly. You know you're positioned in the kart correctly when you're sitting comfortably. ...
  2. Learn the racing line. ...
  3. Work your grip out. ...
  4. Slow it down. ...
  5. Focus on what you are doing. ...
  6. Avoid contact. ...
  7. Play follow the leader. ...
  8. Avoid spinning out.

Is 20 minutes enough for go-karting? ›

In conclusion, a 20-minute go-karting session can be incredibly fulfilling. It offers enough time for beginners to get a feel for the sport and for experienced racers to enjoy a quick, intense race. With the right preparation and focus, these short sessions can be just as rewarding as longer ones.

How to make a go-kart go faster? ›

To increase your go-kart's top speed, switch to a higher gear ratio by changing the sprockets. Just keep in mind that this may reduce acceleration. You can play around with clutch weights, clutch springs, chain and belt upgrades and sprocket sizing.

What not to do in go-kart? ›

7 Mistakes That All Novice Karters Make
  1. Moving your hands on the wheel.
  2. Braking too softly.
  3. Turning in too early.
  4. Not using all the track.
  5. Steering too aggressively.
  6. Not looking far enough ahead.
  7. Trying to get out the way.
  8. So remember these tips if you want to be quick on the kart track…
Aug 29, 2022

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