FREE TICKETS: The Zone

For your chance to win two free fun pack certificates to The Zone (2600 W. Expressway 83 in McAllen), tell us about your most memorable Go-Kart experience in a comment below. Winners will be contacted by Monitor staff members via the e-mail address registered at www.themonitor.com.

The sun sets over the slope of a green "grassy" hill. Ryan Wolf lines up his shot. The sounds of children laughing fade in the distance. The 30-year-old prepares his swing - he's in the zone. Carefully, he takes aim, adjusting his stance on the bright orange "green," and then gently taps his ball toward the open mouth of a man-made cave. The golf ball coasts up the hill but hesitates and falls back down to the tee.

"She's kicking my butt," Wolf said, referring to his wife, Denise.

• CHECK OUT A PHOTO GALLERY FROM THE ZONE

 The couple from Harlingen came to The Zone, an entertainment park in McAllen, for a round of miniature golf. It's Denise's first time.

"I'm better than I thought I was," said the 27-year-old.

The Zone is a hot spot for mini-golf dates, but the park offers more than just putt-putt to entertain couples and families.

Outside are the action zones, including the mini-golf course, bumper boats, Go-Karts and batting cages.

Bumper boats give you and your friends a chance to ram into each other with the boats and get soaked in the process. The Zone's go-kart track is a popular attraction that allows everyone to feel the thrill of a race in a safe environment. And for those looking to hit a home run, there are the batting cages. The Zone offers a range of pitches, from slow-pitch softball to fast-pitch baseball.

Inside has even more variety in the form of video games. The arcade has a wide selection of games including racing, fighting, shooting, as well as ticket games like Skee ball and one of their most popular games right now, Deal or No Deal, based on the hit show of the same name.

Wolf says The Zone is a great place for teens to bring a date, though he was more into the sport of mini golf with his friends when he was a teen.

"I used to go mini-golfing when I was younger, less for dates, more for competitive sport."

Alex Salinas and Ana Gonzalez were giggling and cuddling in the arcade. The Edinburg lovebirds held hands as they walked around, looking for a game to feed their quarters to. They chose a racing game and settled into the seats. Laughing, the young couple accelerated and swerved and both just had a good time.

"(The Zone) is a lot of fun," Gonzalez, 19, said, especially the Go-Karts.

The Zone is packed full of people and things to do. They also have a snack bar when you and your date want to share a slice of pizza or grab a soda. It's the perfect place to take a date when you're in the mood for something different and more interactive.

Gonzalez's boyfriend of seven and a half months agreed that The Zone is a great date destination.

"It let's you know your partner can have fun," the 21-year-old said.