NYC is home to so many options of entertainment, it’s kind of overwhelming! From live entertainment like Broadway to individualized experiences like escape rooms and virtual reality adventures, there’s so much fun to be had. We’re talking thrilling and immersive games and simulations that can take you out of the Big Apple for a little while and into a brand new world.
Perfect for date night, a work outing, or even just a fun activity with some friends, the city’s VR studios are such a mesmerizing way to transport to a different environment without ever leaving NYC. Here’s our favorite places to book a VR experience right now.
1. Escape Virtuality
Get ready to break into the unknown as you take on cutting edge VR experiences with Escape Virtuality. They offer 1 hour, 2 hour, and all-day passes where you can choose your adventure…including “thrilling first-person shooters, cosmic space travel, adrenaline-pumping extreme sports, heart-pounding racing simulators, and spine-tingling horror experiences.”
They have both stationary and free-roam VR experiences which make for some of the most memorable and mesmerizing challenges, walk-throughs, and games in the city. Play Fruit Ninja, walk an 80 story high plank over skyscrapers, or even try to stay sane in the free-roam Insantitarium…there’s so much to pick from.
Check out Escape Virtuality’s full list of experiences and book your visit here!
Where: 130 W 29th St
2. Tidal Force VR
Tidal Force VR is right in the heart of Manhattan, and their multiplayer VR experiences make for lots of fun with groups of up to 6. For $50/hour you can chose 1, 2, or 3 hour long sessions where you can compete (or work together) with your group to take on challenging worlds.
Their VR games are all made in-house with a motto of “multiplayer, walk-the-room, immersive” in the forefront. Some of their most popular worlds include the namesake “Tidal Force” world which is an escape room-style adventure with timed challenges, as well as “Defense” a co-op style world where you and your crew aim to defend oppressors from taking over a space station.
Learn more about Tidal Force VR and see all of their awesome experiences here.
Where: 166 5th Ave, 2nd Floor
3. Bubble Planet
As you can imagine, Bubble Planet is a step right into a world of magic and fun. It’s happening at the American Dream mall in New Jersey right now, and alongside their playful bubble installations like a “Bubble Ocean,” LED room, and massive “Bubble Bath” ball pit (plus more), they have a rad VR experience which lets you virtually hop into the Bubble Planet head first.
In the 10 minute experience, you yourself become a bubble as you navigate a world full of exuberant colors and elements. Float through celestial spheres, underwater utopias, and outer-planet worlds like never before. Learn more about Bubble Planet and how to book your visit here!
🫧 Buy your tickets to Bubble Planet here!
Where: 1 American Dream Wy, East Rutherford, NJ
4. Immersive Gamebox
This spot in the Lower East Side has locations around the world, and their NYC location is full of 30, 60, and 90 minute virtual reality experiences that are worth your while. Perfect for all ages, you can choose from their catalogue of games which ranges from Black Mirror-branded experiences to virtual renditions of Tetris.
Sessions start at just $42.99 for adults and they even offer a special “Summer Pass” right now which grants kids 6 visits to Immersive Gamebox for only $100! Check out all of their virtual reality experiences and book your time here.
Where: 81 Essex St
5. Sandbox VR
You’ll have to head outside of the city to visit Sandbox VR, but it’s totally worth the under 1 hour drive to Paramus, New Jersey. Their futuristic VR experience is perfect for groups (can support up to 6), where their Hollywood motion capture cameras, 3D precision body trackers, custom hardware, and haptic suits actually make you feel completely full-body immersed.
The VR studio itself is inspired by Star Trek’s Holodeck according to their website, and their experiences they provide have been carefully created by the world’s most renowned video game developers like EA, Sony, and Ubisoft. Their most notable adventure right now (which we highly recommend) is an officially Netflix-partnered Squid Games experience, but there’s plenty of others too like a Star Trek journey and kid-friendly pirate hunt. Learn more about Sandbox VR’s experiences and plan your visit here!
Where: 305 Route 17 South, Paramus, NJ
6. RiseNY
RiseNY’s virtual reality experience is a bit more unique in that it’s more than just through a headset…it’s a full blown ride through the history of NYC! Once you take a seat on their immersive VR ride set, you’ll be taken through a 4D experience on their 180-degree, 40-foot projection dome. You’ll go soaring over 1950s New York and see 8K aerial footage of the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Central Park and more iconic landmarks of NYC.
The immersion here is next level…giving you the sights and smells of the Big Apple like never before. We’re talking virtual views of iconic NYC events like the 4th of July Fireworks and the New Year’s Eve ball drop in Times Square, from a bird’s eye view. Learn more about RiseNY (and all their other amazing NYC-themed exhibits) here!
Where: 160 W 45th St