Best Go-Kart Racing In Chicago

Sue Colerick

Fulfill your need for speed with an introduction to racing that'll have you hooked on the first lap. These area go-kart facilities are the Chicago area's best, from kart-exclusive race factories to fun parks for the whole family.

Go-karts, mini golf—even an arcade. Haunted Trails has plenty of activities for every adventurer. Celebrate the end of the school year with the kids; the park will reward good grades on a report card with extra tokens! For more fun things to do check out this list of the best arcades in Chicago.

Head to Foursquare to sort reviews by these tastes:

Chicago Race Factory
6955 S. Harlem Ave.
Bedford Park, IL 60638
(708) 594-5278
www.chicagoracefactory.com

Price: from $20/from $40 for parties/$30 memberships/call for league and racing series pricing
Hours: Mon to Thurs – 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Fri – 2 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.; Sat – 11 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.; Sun – 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Chicago Race Factory features the only quarter-mile track in its more than 40,000-square-foot facility. Racers 16 and older use top-of-the-line go-karts that are custom modified and maintained, including the Sodi GT2s that travel up to 45 mph. The track is designed to give racers long straightaways with the excitement of hairpin turns to add to the strategy and methodology of go-kart racing. Chicago Race Factory's goal is to give racers a true go-karting experience while still adhering to high drivers' safety standards. Click here for special offers.

Melrose Park Indoor Grand Prix
2225 W. North Ave.
Melrose Park, IL 60160
(708) 343-7223
www.mpgrandprix.com/

Price: walk-in racing $20 first session/$15 second session/$10 third session/$50 three race sessions pre-paid
Hours: Mon to Thurs – 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Fri – 4 p.m. to 12 a.m.; Sat – 11 a.m. to 12 a.m.; Sun – 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The Melrose Park Indoor Grand Prix, with 150,000 square feet of space, is one of the largest and fastest indoor kart racing centers around. Melrose Park boasts two tracks, which includes a D-shaped indoor track, propane-powered RIMO go karts with speeds of more than 35 mph, and level playing fields. Racers older than 18 years of age, or ages 16 and 17 with a waiver, encounter racing that makes this the experience of a lifetime. No need to leave the younger kids at home as this facility offers a café with arcade games and pool tables to entertain the entire family. Click here for special offers.

Related: Best Chicago Area Indoor Water Parks

Chicago Indoor Racing
2381 W. Army Trail Rd.
Addison, IL 60101
(630) 433-3700
www.chicagoindoorracing.com/

Price: $25 for an annual license/$10 for a monthly license/425 first and second races per race/$15 per race with monthly license/$10 third and additional races with annual license
Hours: Tues to Thurs – 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Fri to Sat – 3 p.m. to 12 a.am.; Sun – 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Chicago Indoor Racing features two, 700-foot tracks with full racing gear including fire-resistant driver suits, neck braces and Snell-rated helmets. Chicago Indoor Racing is 21 laps of high-intensity fun. It is primarily an adult racing facility, however, it offers a  junior program with two days of training school and leagues for serious drivers ages 7 to 17. Click here for special offers.

Sugar Grove Family Fun Center
9 S. 825 State Route 47
Sugar Grove, IL 60554
(630) 466-3866
sugargrovefamilyfuncenter.com/

Price: from $13
Hours: Fri to Sat – 9 a.m. to 12 a.m.; Sun to Thurs – 9 a.m . to 11 p.m.

Sugar Grove Family Fun Center is perfect for the entire family with its amusement park, go-kart tracks, miniature golf course and game room. It boasts two age-specific speedways perfect for families of all ages. The Sugar Grove Speedway is a quarter-mile, smooth racing surface track perfect for kids ages 6 and older to drive themselves in gas-powered rookie go-karts, or two-seat go karts for younger kids to ride along with an adult. The Wrangler Slick Track was designed for adults only, with a smooth concrete course designed to drift each go kart smoothly through turns. Click here for pricing packages and special offers.

Funway Entertainment Center & Outback Park Raceway
1335 S. River St. (Route 25)
Batavia, IL 60510
(630) 879-8717
www.funway.com/

Price: from $6 for a five-minute ride/packages from $16 which includes batting tokens, miniature golf or bumper boat rides
Click here for seasonal hours

Funway Entertainment Center is a complete indoor and outdoor facility with activities for the entire family. It boasts three styles of go karts for racing on its Outback Speedway. The bandit racing karts are designed to give high-speed racing action on the 700-foot racing track. Drivers ages 16 and older of all skill level will be challenged and enjoy the state-of-the-art score board that records lap position and time during the race. The mini Indy go karts are designed for racers 10 years and older, with a minimum height requirement of 54 inches. For little kids, Funway also offers two-seat go-karts designed so they may ride along with adults. Click here for specials and coupons.

Related: What to do Indoors With Kids of all Ages