Hinkle Family Fun Center

Ever wanted to test your dexterity as a bank robber? Think you can do better than those villains in the movies at climbing through the laser obstacle courses guarding the vault? Now is your chance to find out. Hinkle Family Fun Center recently installed a Lazer Frenzy game where daring individuals of all ages compete to climb over and under the lasers to reach the button on the far wall and return to safety in the fastest time. Then, once a month, competitors with the best times return for a final face-off and a chance to win prizes.

 Hinkle Family Fun Center has been a family favorite since 1994. The center offers a wide variety of attractions such as miniature golf, go-karts, bumper boats, laser tag, paint ball, a redemption arcade and a nickel arcade with classic-style games.

 The Hinkle family spent three years traveling around and researching other fun centers to decide what they wanted in their Albuquerque location. Their dream was to build a facility where families could play together, yet there would be enough variety that all members of the family could find activities to interest them -- and judging from the crowds every weekend, they have succeeded. 

 The most popular attractions, co-owner Bryan Hinkle said, are the go-karts and the redemption games. He said he has made an effort to provide a better quality of prizes to help attract all ages.

 "It is not just junk anymore," he said. "If people are spending money on an item in the store, such as an mp3 player, they might as well spend the money having fun with us and win the prizes instead. They might even save some money."
 

HelloMetro tip: visit the website before going to the facility for latest coupons, specials and events. There are specials that allow for a single price for as many attractions as you can enjoy during set hours.

- by Julie Medina, Albuquerque Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Julie Medina

Julie Medina has experience as a reporter at the Albuquerque Journal and has written freelance articles for the Albuquerque Tribune, Albuquerque the Magazine, New Mexico Magazine and New Mexico Kids Magazine. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in print journalism from the University of New Mexico in 2008. She has lived in Albuquerque since 1984 and believes it is best to remember to play like a tourist in your own hometown so you don't forget the vast culture around you.