Things to Do in Troy

Based out of Detroit, the Foamshow tour has packed more than 400 venues across the country with dance-happy patrons and thousands of gallons of hypoallergenic, water-based foam. International DJs, go-go dancers, fire spinners, aerialists, and cirque-style performers entertain 18- or 21-and-older patrons as confetti and neon lights fill the air. Because attendees will get wet, Foamshow recommends they dress in swim wear, T-shirts, jeans, or scuba gear.

Evolution Sportsplex’s dome structure houses 60,000 square feet of artificial turf, which doubles as an athletics field and an indoor driving range. There, as well as outdoors, a golfer can improve their swing, thereby eliminating the need for the pneumatic hammer taped to the end of their club. Visitors can also putt their way through a manicured miniature-golf course peppered with shady trees and refuel at the concession stand before hitting the indoor field, which can be converted for sports ranging from football to softball.

Since 1950, the neon lights outside the Waterford Rolladium have beckoned skaters to the brightly colored rink. Inside, DJs spin top-40 hits and oldies from a towering DJ booth as guests circle the boards beneath a shimmering disco ball. The snack bar refuels patrons, and a game room gives respite from figure eights or shooting the moon by attempting to throw a skate at it. To hone eight-wheeled maneuvers, professional instructors lead lessons and classes, teaching beginners as well as those interested in competing in figure or speed skating.

The 200-foot straightaway comes to an end in one of six wheel-testing curves. The Honda 5.5-horsepower engine hums in anticipation. The moment foot touches pedal, hydraulic brakes give their answer and the racing wheels cling to the textured concrete as the go-kart deftly whips through the turn. Coming up on the end of an eight-minute streak of adrenaline, racers zip past the final stretch of the 1/5-mile race track, tearing ahead of each other as the computerized timing system clocks each score to fuel future bragging rights and rematch challenges.

From Kart 2 Kart's café and bar, applause rises as family, friends, and opponents sizing up the competition send their appreciation down to the track, which they've been watching as they nosh on a selection of snacks and beverages. Juniors, meanwhile, wait their turn to hit the blacktop in age-appropriate Formula-K karts. Before strapping in, all racers receive instruction and a safety lesson, during which they learn how to operate the equipment, then strive to set records that can earn them a spot on the website's scoreboard.

With its rotating cache of handmade accessories, including wooden picture frames, necklaces, and fuzzy scarves, Simply Creative Boutique feels more like someone’s inviting living room than an arts-and-crafts studio. A constantly changing roster of classes taught by owner Jennifer Kaczmarek encourages artists of all skill levels to try their hand at such specialties as creating a piece of jewelry or weaving a basket out of newspapers. Kaczmarek enhances her studio's community vibe with conversational blog posts, informing her customers about upcoming open houses, giveaways, and grudge matches between the warring Decoupage and Macramé families.