I Got an Exclusive Sneak Peek at NOLA Motorsports Park’s Newest Development: Throttle & Swing

If you’ve got the need for speed, then you need to make your way over to NOLA Motorsports. The 2.75-mile world-class race course and skidpad offer a unique opportunity to live out your NASCAR fantasies with your own vehicle. NOLA Motorsports recently opened a new addition to their park, Throttle & Swing, and I had an exclusive invite to check it out. 

Throttle & Swing is a one-of-a-kind entertainment venue that combines mini-golf, go-karts, and an arcade for a family-friendly experience near New Orleans. You’ll find this hidden gem on the West Bank in Avondale. 

When you walk through the doors, the friendly staff greets and directs you to the computer stations to sign a waiver. This is required for anyone who wants to race the go-karts. It takes less than two minutes to fill out, and when it’s your turn, they display your photo and name on the big screen.

While I waited for the go-karts, I had a chance to look around. The space is huge! There are plenty of arcade games to enjoy, from themed games like Jurassic Park to nostalgic classics like skeeball. The games dispense tickets, which can be traded at the prize station. And if you're curious about what prizes to expect, there was an actual PlayStation 5!

Several tables are peppered throughout the arcade, and folks can order pizza from the on-site restaurant and beverages from the full-service bar. 

After I had made a lap on foot, I heard my name called to line up to race. Billed as “the Fastest Track in the South,” the track is 30 acres and has 80+ configurations. Behind the scenes, the fully wired Control Tower has a 360-degree view and a fire and rescue team.

There were nine of us in my race. We were brought into a separate room to watch a brief safety tutorial before selecting our helmets and neck braces. There are lockers right by the track where you can store your things. We were each assigned a go-kart number and headed to our vehicles to begin the race!  

Now, I haven't driven a go-kart in about 30 years. Regretfully, it had stormed that day (gotta love those midday NOLA showers!), so the track was wet, and we were warned we would skid. For some reason, that computed in my brain as “don’t flip,” so I was extra careful on my turns. I actually don’t think you could flip these things; they’re so low to the ground. I wasn't about to try anything crazy, but several of my competitors were having the best time drifting through the puddles.

As much as I tried to avoid the puddles, I drove through one pretty early on and…well.. I was grateful the helmet had a visor. It’s all in good fun! Just know that you will get soaked if the track is wet. After a couple of laps, I embraced the spray.

Employees man the watch stations throughout the race and will warn you if you break any rules, drive recklessly, etc. After a few laps, I wondered when I would see the iconic checkered flag. This race seemed to last forever! I wasn’t complaining, I was having a blast living out my Ricky Bobby moment.

Once the checkered flag flies, everyone takes a victory lap before pulling into the starting point. The race results are displayed on a large screen back in the arcade room. My only goal was not to come in last place, and I accomplished it! Prices start at $20 for folks who want to hit the track, and Throttle & Swing offers both junior karts (ages 7-12) and adult karts (13+).

After the race, I needed some time to dry off, so I wandered around the putt-putt range. For $20, guests have unlimited play all day on the 18-hole course. There is a wide range of clubs and balls available in just about every color you can imagine.

There are endless options for outdoor seating at Throttle & Swing, and a couple of stages for live entertainment. There’s also a playground for the youngsters and a pet-friendly area, too! Large TVs pepper the area, which will be awesome for football season. My favorite area was the balcony, where you can get a bird’s eye view of the golf course and race track.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at Throttle & Swing! New Orleans doesn’t have any other attraction quite like it. It’s an excellent spot for families, friends, date nights, and group events. For more information, visit the Throttle & Swing website.