Posted By: vande77 on May 20 2013 at 09:56:16 AM
Depends on how old your son is.
If he's a teenager, Slideways Karting Center is good for a while (while your $$$ lasts anyway). If he's not tall enough (58" I think it is), you can't drive the karts, so take that into consideration.
Skyzone in Grimes (45 minute drive from K'ville) - large trampoline type indoor factility, my teenage daughter and her friends went a couple weeks ago and had a blast (lots of teenage boys there as well, so they must think it's a good time).
Iowa State Fair - plenty to do to keep you busy at least 1 day, and possibly more.
Post race concerts - depending on your son's age, you can go down to the turn 4 pit entrance after the races every night and there is a band playing (and the chicken feed on Thursday night following the races as well). -- this makes it so you go to bed really late, but then you sleep until noon the next day
Nationals Parade on Saturday of Nationals @ 10:00 AM
Vendors/trade show daily
Walk the grounds and talk to drivers and teams (usually about 80% of the field has their cars out every day all day prior to heading to the pit area (free and you can be up close and personal with some drivers and teams during their biggest week of the year).
Science Center of Iowa in DesMoines (40 minute drive) - both of my kids enjoy it (13 and 9 years old)
Lake Red Rock - go fishing, hiking, watch the wildlife
Water parks in Pella (15 mins), Chariton (30 mins), Indianola (30 mins) or the Knoxville Recreation Center (in town)
Depending on age, the park (Auld Park, Marion County Park, Young's Park (Kiwani's Miracle Playground should be partially completed by then (all ages handicap accessible playground)
The Kick-It for Childhood Cancer Kickball game @ Young's Park Friday @ noon (to watch the drivers play each other and raise $$$ for cancer research)
The Tony Stewart Go-Kart Challenge @ Slideways Karting Center Wednesday - watch 50 fans take on Tony Stewart in go-kart racing (top 10 finishers make up a team for the kick-ball event on Friday) -- should be fun to watch -- I believe all the fan spots are filled already
Be a kid and enjoy walking around looking at T-shirts, collectibles and the racecars
The National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum
Historic Pella (bakeries, Pella Historical Village, you might be able to call and get a tour of Vermeer (large industrial and agricultural equipment manufacturer), Weiler (industrial equipment manufacturer) or Pella Corporation (Pella Windows and Doors).
Bring your bikes (if you can) and bike around the town, through the campgounds, or out at Lake Red Rock on the biketrails.
Hope you enjoy your first ever visit, I'm lucky enough to live in Knoxville, but happy to say my 9 year old son has become a huge fan of racing because of the Nationals (this will be his 4th year and he loves it).
|
