New Jersey’s American Dream mall is notoriously good at pulling out all the stops for epic events (including an epic World Cup fan festival kicking off this week), but the massive entertainment complex is now morphing into something straight out of a daydream.
You can board a bus at Port Authority and, less than 30 minutes later, literally step onto another planet made entirely of bubbles.
18 July 2026 10:00 + more dates
Just a quick ride from Manhattan, the second-largest mall in the U.S. has officially become home to a surreal wonderland known as Bubble Planet.
Here’s why this stunning experience is going viral, and a must-visit before it *pops*.
Step inside a temporary portal to switch off and play
This sprawling exhibit takes everything you love about a whimsical funhouse and scales it up to colossal proportions.
Positioned near the lively Nickelodeon Universe on Court B, Level 3 of the mega-complex, this enclosed installation acts as a much-needed retreat for adults looking to switch off Slack and let themselves be completely ridiculous for an hour or two.
Over two million fans have already flooded this viral sensation in cities like London, Milan, and Brussels.
Now, the worldwide phenomenon has completely taken over a massive chunk of the mall, inviting New Yorkers to unplug in a soft, color-drenched environment.
What to expect inside the pastel universe
With eight highly interactive and totally distinct thematic zones, the programming here is absolutely stacked.
The entire space is meticulously designed to hit all five senses, meaning you are walking through elaborate sets rather than just viewing a static exhibit.
Expect to wade through an enormous bubble bath ball pit that acts like instant inner-child therapy for anyone who has not jumped into one since grade school.
You will also discover a sprawling balloon ocean room filled with oversized, floating spheres and mesmerizing light shifts that feel like a slow-motion underwater dream sequence.
The experience brilliantly blends tactile play with cutting-edge tech.
Guests can strap on a headset in a dedicated VR room for a soaring bubble flight across an imaginary landscape, or find a moment of total zen inside a calming undersea LED room that essentially functions as a digital aquarium.
Tons of optical illusions and selfie-centric spaces
We already know the mall utilizes all its epic spaces for massive takeovers, and this vibrant playground is no different!
It is a completely sensory-rich adventure loaded with highly photogenic spots and infinity mirrors that actively trick your sense of scale and depth.
You will find endless opportunities to capture the perfect social grid photo, from catching smoke bubbles to posing in classic optical illusion spaces that make you look like you are floating in space.
Getting there and grabbing tickets
Traveling to the mall is actually incredibly simple from NYC.
You can hop right on the dedicated NJ Transit 355 bus from Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan, which drops you directly at American Dream.
Travelers coming from Hoboken or Jersey City can also utilize the 85 bus.
If you choose to drive, the journey takes about 20 to 30 minutes from Midtown depending on traffic, and the first 30 minutes of parking are totally free.
Tickets to Bubble Planet are highly sought after right now, with adult passes generally hovering around $26.90 and kids getting in for around $18.90 depending on the day and demand.
The recommended time to spend inside is about 60 to 90 minutes.
So be sure to plan your visit this summer, and check out the mall’s other activities too like its ferris wheel, Nickelodeon theme park, indoor ski slopes, and so much more!
