Fun from the West Coast. Photo courtesy of the Quad Cities Times.

Welcome to paradise, also known as Malibu Jacks, known for being one of the Midwest’s best indoor arcade and indoor family parks. Malibu Jacks has activities for the whole family to enjoy to ensure everyone will leave with a smile on their faces, wanting to come back for more fun! 

The first Malibu Jacks originated in Lexington Kentucky, where it only featured mini golf, bowling, and an arcade. This family center was created by a father and son (Terry and Brian Hatton) who wanted to bring life to Kentucky, like they have seen in California. Kentucky had no family friendly entertainment centers; which is why they combined the two to make the perfect location for family fun. 

With the success of the Lexington location, Malibu Jacks was taken off to other parts of Kentucky including Ashland and Louisville. After the expansion of Kentucky locations, Malibu Jacks spread to other states in the midwest like Springfield IL and Lafayette IN. The most recent location is now in Bettendorf, IA, in the Quad Cities. 

Malibu Jacks in Bettendorf offers all the same exciting activities the rest of the locations have and has a plethora of things to do that make them unique from any other family entertainment center. Malibu Jacks offers a beautiful rainforest themed mini golf station and an electric bowling alley, with bright lights throughout the lanes. Different versions of go karts and arcade games are also offered at this location. Along with all the fun entertainment, Malibu Jacks offers food service with concession stand type meals and snacks, and a full bar that opens at night hours. 

Some attractions that are unique to Malibu Jacks, that you can’t find many other places, like the indoor roller coasters. The Twist and Shout roller coaster has a full track and spinning carts as you go around. The other ride within the building is the drop, which drops riders from 25 feet in the air. 

Malibu Jacks is not only a fun environment for the guests but also the workers. Caleb, a front desk and cashier employee from the Bettendorf location, enjoys going to work everyday. “My favorite part about working here is seeing all the kids smile when they walk in and see all the things they can do here.”

Ryan, Malibu Jacks manager, also enjoys his job but for different reasons. “I like working here because of the family environment with the other employees, the owners are great people to work for.”

One unique thing about Malibu Jacks is how everyone can join in on the fun. The roller coaster carts are wheelchair friendly with ramps that can attach to each cart. There are also sections of the facilities that are grouped by ages. For example, the bouncy houses have a section for 0-4 years old with age-appropriate bouncy attractions. On the other side are houses that are meant for everyone else, ages 5 and up. 

For parents, there should be no worries for your child’s safety. Bettendorf police department always has cops patrolling the business at all hours of them being open. They also have metal detectors at all entrances and plenty of employees circling Malibu Jacks to help with all of your needs. 

Avery, an eleven-year-old girl, loves all things Malibu Jacks. “I really love the roller coasters here because they are so fun, and it tickles my tummy.” 

Her friend Zoey, who is also an eleven-year-old girl, says, “The drop tower is my favorite because I like things that are really high.”

Teens of all ages feel the same type of excitement by walking into Malibu Jacks. Eligh Myers, a fifteen-year-old high school student, enjoys the arcade. “The arcade is definitely my favorite part because of how fun it is and there are lots of different games to play. Asphalt 9 is my favorite game here.”

Not only customers enjoy the activities at Malibu Jacks, their employees feel the same! Caleb told me that all of the employees got a night to themselves at Malibu Jacks to try out all of what they have to offer. “I love the go carts, it’s so fun bowling and playing laser tag here too.” 

Malibu Jacks has exciting things planned for the future! They are holding a March Madness tournament with top winners of their popular basketball game. You have to make ten or more shots to be entered; the winner of the contest gets a free entree at an Augustana Men’s Basketball game. Malibu Jacks also has plans to update their prizes and offer more activities in the near future.