Adults, you can go to Slick City: What to know about Charlotte's new slide park

McKenzie Rankin

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Slick City looks like it's for kids. It is. But it's also very much for adults.

Why it matters: In our conversations with Charlotteans, a common theme keeps emerging: The city needs more activities that don't revolve around drinking.

So, may we present: a massive indoor slide park designed that'll almost certainly make you feel like a kid again?

Catch up quick: Slick City is a 34,000-square-foot indoor slide park in south Charlotte that opened in February — the first North Carolina location for the Denver-born business.

You can book 90 minutes ($29.99) or 120 minutes ($34.99).
Walk-ins are allowed. We went at 4pm on a Monday and could've just bought tickets there, though we'd recommend reserving your time slot on the weekends.

The intrigue: The park is family-friendly and clearly built with kids in mind, but they haven't forgotten those 18+.

Adults-only nights and after-hours glow parties are already in the works.
The slides are for customers 4+, and the soft play area is for kids 0-3.

We recently took a team outing to Slick City. Here are five things we wish we knew before going.

Here's another thing I learned: These slides look a lot less intimidating from afar than they do when you're standing at the top looking down. Photo: McKenzie Rankin/Axios

First things first: You'll have to sign a waiver.

And it's about as long as a CVS receipt. That's standard for places like this, but a good reminder you're taking some risk.

You're going down massive slides, some of which send you airborne and face-first into landing pads.
Stick to the ones you feel good about — most of us are left with a few bumps and bruises.

That said, start easy, then see how brave you're feeling.

Kids will immediately run to the biggest, steepest slides. We ... did not do that.

Here's how I'd break down some of the most popular ones in the park:

Fast Lane (We did this one as a team — check out the GIF above) & Royal Flush: These two are easy, fun and a good place to start.
Rush & Turbo Twin: fast, gets your heart rate up. They look worse than they are, and you'll probably go again
Mega Launch (Slick City's signature slide), Big Wave & Riptide: Just looking at these triggered a fight-or-flight response. I didn't attempt them, but some of our crew did (shoutout Alexis and Alex).

Alex & Alexis showed us all up by taking on the mega launch. (Of course, I had to put this GIF in slow-mo for dramatic effect). GIF: McKenzie Rankin/Axios

There's more than just slides.

If you need a break (or refuse to hurl yourself down a near-vertical drop), you've got options.

There's an arcade, plus air courts for basketball and dodgeball.
There's also a soft play zone for kids five and under.

Photo: McKenzie Rankin/Axios — And if you're just here for the vibes (or on bag duty), there's plenty of seating.

Wear pants or leggings and plan to buy socks.

I almost went with biker shorts. Very glad I didn't.

You go down the slides on a mat, on your stomach (no sitting up), and you pick up speed fast. Longer pants help avoid slide burn and just feel better overall, especially since the mats are reused.
You'll also need to purchase their $4.99 grippy "City Socks." They're colorful, comfortable and yours to keep. I may have to debut them soon at a reformer Pilates class.

The food is exactly what you want it to be.

What to expect: A classic theme/amusement park menu.

Pizza, chicken tenders, and mozzarella sticks. Combos run about $13–$15, and a large pizza with a pitcher (of soda, not beer, sorry) is $26.99.

The bottom line: Adults should play more. Slick City is a fun way to check that box — even if you feel it the next day.

Stop by: 9535 South Blvd. in Carolina Pavilion.

Open Monday 4-8pm, Tuesday-Thursday noon-8pm, Friday-Saturday 9am-9pm and Sunday 9am-8pm.

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