The best laser tag NYC families will love
We found the best laser tag NYC has to offer, so now's the time to prepare for a bit of friendly competition
Planning fun things to do with kids? How about a round or two of tag - laser style?
We've come up with an epic list of the best laser tag NYC has to offer. If you have little ones looking to suit up, try the Bowlmor Chelsea Piers where the laser tag labyrinth is decked out in New York landmarks, or Funtopia, a Queens amusement center where laser tag is just the start of the glow-in-the-dark adventures. For families with older kids, zombie laser tag at Indoor Extreme Sports is as fun it is frightening. If you're booking a party, you can even opt to have "real" zombies wander around the game. For those families who find themselves in Brooklyn, the epic Area 53 laser tag is conveninetly located near Time Out Market New York where both the winners and losers can make a pitstop to refuel after all that good old family competition.
RECOMMENDED: Full guide to indoor activities for kids
But the fun isn't over after when the cosmic battle with the fam is: Many of these venues are part of larger indoor amusement parks that have everything from arcade games to go karts to bowling. And if that still isn't enough to burn off that pent-up kid energy, there's still more to do. Head to an indoor playgrounds for kids, catch some speed at the best go karting in NYC or putt putt around the green at the best indoor and outdoor mini golf spots.
Best laser tag in NYC
Area 53 Laser Tag
This DUMBO space promises a healthy dose of compeition. Suit up for an adventure in a darkened, dual-level basement where you and friends can aim for one another and try to claim victory. Events and parties welcome! All ages are welcome, provided participants are able to handle the laser gun. All ages.
Bowlmor Chelsea Piers
Bowlmor has more going for it than its bowling lanes—it also offers NYC-themed laser tag in a 3,000-square-foot arena. Kids will be briefed in a room channeling Central Park before entering a dark labyrinth decked out with the NYC skyline, local street signs, a Statue of Liberty mural and the centerpiece: a mock Washington Square Park arch, which players can pass underneath on an elevated platform. As another bonus at Bowlmor, there's also a 1,500-square-foot gravity ropes course suspended high above the space. Here, youngsters can brave a narrow, Z-shaped balance beam, climb up a vertical cargo net, walk across tight ropes and a 35 foot long rope bridge. Bowlmor Chelsea Piers (bowlmor.com/chelsea-piers).
Indoor Extreme Sports
Indoor Extreme Sports offers plenty to keep kids (and adults) busy. We recommend Black Ops ($39–$49 per player) and Zombie Laser Tag ($35–$39 per player) for older kids (ages 12 and up). At the 8,000-square-foot Black Ops arena, players can scoot around fake offices, a restaurant, a clothing store, a video store, a supermarket, a bridge, a tunnel and more—and they'll get into games like team deathmatch, capture the flag, dominator and search-and-destroy. It's even based on the U.S. Military spec projectile-less training platform deployed with the F.B.I. and U.S. Army.
Zombie Laser Tag is downright terrifying. Extreme Sports can rearrange the field so players have a different experience every game, and they also adjust the lighting to "non-scary glow-in-the-dark" to "downright terrifying dark," depending on the players. For an added fee for parties, you can also hire some roaming Zombies to make things even more challenging!
For classic Laser Tag, sign up for Arena Laser Tag ($27–$32, ages 8 and up) at Extreme Sports' 1,000-square-foot field. Teams stand off against each other for three-game rounds that last about five minues each. Indoor Extreme Sports, Long Island City, Staten Island (indoorextremesports.com).
iPlay America
This sweet facility offers go karts, a 4D theater, bumper cars, bowling, a soft playground, indoor rides and classic games like Whac-a-Mole. Best of all, it offers Cosmic Battle Laser Tag, which is every bit as cool as it sounds. The HUGE 6,500-square-foot arena has two playing levels, awesome-looking laser gear and can accommodate up to 38 people at once. Click here for pricing information. iPlay America, Freehold, NJ (iplayamerica.com).
Bridgewater Sports Arena
Known widely for its role as an ice skating and ice hockey venue, Bridgewater Sports Arena also offers laser tag in its LaserZone. Kids (ages 5 and up) will dig the fog-filled, black light-illuminated arena complete with colored vests and phasers and will also love the fact that it has plenty of nooks to hide in. When it’s time to take a break, visit the Sports Arena Arcade to explore over 65 games and simulators or check out the Soft Play area with plastic tunnels, mesh crawl spaces and a large ball pit. Bridgewater Sports Arena, Bridgewater, NJ (bsaarena.com).
Fun Station USA
The name says it all—kids' favorite indoor activities are packed into one spot at this Long Island family attraction. When youngsters tire of racing against one another during a game of laser tag, they have plenty more options to choose from, including bumper cars, video games, a roller coaster simulator and so much more. Fun Station USA, Lynbrook (funstationusa.com).
Funtopia
This Queens hotspot takes the glow-in-the-dark games to new levels. Not only are visitors able to try their hand at laser tag, they'll face other exciting challenges as well. Balladium lets teams of kiddos compete against one another while operating a ball blasting machine. Time Freak is a race against the clock as players try to push as many lit buttons as possible before their session is up. Funtopia USA, Middle Village (funtopiausa.com).