Fun Things to Do in NYC With Teens

Emily N:  Get an awesome outdoor paintball experience at Cousins Paintball! Participants can go on a paintball adventure through the only outdoor field in the five boroughs, making it easily accessible! Snacks and pizza delivery are available for purchase. Cousins Paintball is also a great option for all types of events.

The Green Teen Program engages teens to become stewards of their local parks and recreation centers. Green Teens learn how to make a “green” positive impact in their local community and encourage the public to recycle.

Emily N:  Chinatown Fair is a classic arcade that is sure to make you feel nostalgic! Perfect for the whole family, Chinatown Fair has a variety of different old school games that will excite everyone. Additionally, Chinatown Fair hosts birthday parties and events, great for a truly unique experience!

Emily N:  With two locations in New York City, Mission Escape Games is a great option for a teen's night out! Trapped in a themed room, you have to work together with your peers to find the clues and solve riddles. Time is of the essence because you only have 1 hour to get out! Reservations are required.

Jennie Utsinger:  Gotham offers an introductory class which includes bow rental and instruction. Once you've perfected your skills, you can reserve a lane.

Shila:  Think darts, but using an axe! Alongside a parent, kids can participate and throw axes as long as they have the strength and coordination to do so (as judged by Kick Axe Throwing). If your child cannot pass the axe test, they can still play the game throwing foam axes and score wherever they hit the target.

Jennie Utsinger:  The Alamo Drafthouse Theater describes themselves as having good food, good beer, and good film, all in the same place, and is known for their commitment to quality presentation standards. While your teen can't partake in beer-drinking, they can still enjoy a unique movie experience pairing a movie and a meal, served at your seat. In addition to the regular menu, Alamo also offers special menus inspired by the movies playing, such as a take on African flavors for Black Panther.

Age: 6+; children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult

Cost: $16/ticket; food and drink purchased separately

Emily N:  VR World is a fun place for teens and adult alike. As the largest virtual reality experience in North America, VR world allows visitors to get totally immersed in different experiences like gaming, film, art and music! Purchase a timed pass, which gives access to over 50 guide-facilitated VR experiences.

Cost: Standard passes from $39

Nancy L.:  Step into the experience as a fan and leave as part of the team. The NFL Experience, which is a permanent exhibit in Times Square, allows fans to get a taste of what the players experience. Take the quarterback challenge, learn the coach's game plan, get inside the huddle, take a photo with the Vince Lombardi Trophy, and more. Expect to spend 75-90 minutes here.

Age: All Ages

Cost: Tickets start at $29 for adults and $19 for kids 5-12.

The Spyscape Museum is part museum, part immersive spy experience, and sure to entertain teens and adults alike. Visitors discover their optimal Spy Role and receive a personalized Spy Profile, developed by a former British Intelligence employee. Learn the stories of real spies and complete spy challenge experiences while visiting seven galleries: deception, encryption, surveillance, hacking, intelligence, cyber warfare and special ops.

Kelly R:  Teens can experience the New York Philharmonic Orchestra free of charge, with tickets offered for young people to select Friday concerts. Visit the linked web site at noon on the Monday before each concert to reserve a ticket - they're first-come, first-served, and go fast!

Age: 13-26

Cost: Free

Juan L.:  Arts Connection has great teen programming designed to entertain, engage, and connect teens with art, cultural, and writing centered events around the city. At their monthly movie and pizza night, attendees vote to watch one of 3 movie options all centered on a single theme. After the movie, the group talks about the movie led by the group leader and how it connects to the larger theme. Pizza is provided.

Age: Grades 8-12

Cost: Free, advanced registration required

Emily N:  The Brooklyn Museum offers a lot for teens to do! Offering programs like art classes and apprenticeships as well as Friday night teen events with art making, music, raffles and more, the Brooklyn Museum is a great place for teens to meet new friends or socialize with others.

Emily N:  The Met offers an array of teen activities including monthly art explore programs where teens can talk to other teens about different works of art while exploring the galleries, an opportunity to create art at the teen studio, and even a special teen night with music, performances and other drop-in activities.

Emily N:  For the thrill seeking teen, Indoor Extreme Sports is the perfect place to get their fix! Offering everything from laser tag with different themes (i.e. zombies!), paintball, archery and virtual reality, there are so many ways teens (and parents) can have a good time. Indoor Extreme Sports also offers great birthday packages!