With all the responsibilities of being an adult, there are moments when you want to break free and indulge in activities that bring out your inner child in NYC—even if it’s just for a day! Luckily, we have everything you need to do that! From amazing free concerts and top-notch dining options to gorgeous secret gardens and unique experiences that feel like they belong in another world, our energetic city truly offers something for everybody!
Check out these 12 nostalgic activities that will transport you back to carefree days, reigniting your inner child! As adults, we all love those moments that give us a dose of dopamine. So, step into a world filled with bubbles or spend hours playing your favorite arcade games…we won’t judge! Explore our top picks for letting loose in and around New York City.
1. Float away from reality at Bubble Planet
The most enchanting experience has opened just under an hour from Midtown. This whimsical ‘Bubble Planet’ is the perfect place to bring out your childlike side with over 10 bubble-themed rooms, where you can discover every kind of bubble imaginable. Don’t miss the VR experience that shows you what being inside a giant bubble would be like! This experience can be found at the American Dream Mall, where there’s also an indoor amusement park, water park, and more so plan to spend the day there for plenty of fun!
🫧Feel like a kid again—grab your tickets now at 15% off!
2. Compete in a real-life Squid Game experience
The Epic Squid Game: The Experience is now open in NYC! If you’re looking for something a bit, shall we say, thrilling, grab your tickets now—because K-town’s Manhattan Mall has been transformed into the ultimate Squid Game experience. But it’s all fun and games with no real danger like the popular Netflix series. So, throw on your tracksuit and get ready to play “Red Light, Green Light,” “Marbles,” “Glass Bridge,” and more!
🦑🕹️ More info and tickets here!
3. Classic arcade games + cocktails? We’re in!
NYC has many cool arcades that bring back all the nostalgic, carefree childhood moments with bright neon lights and high-energy pop music. Most of these spots even have a full bar, so you can sip on a delicious cocktail while you play your favorite classic arcade games like Pac-Man, Atari Pong, and Jurassic Park or enjoy a game of pool or shuffleboard.
🕹️Read our full article on the best arcades in NYC!
4. See a thrilling Broadway show!
Catching a Broadway play is a must, whether you’re a local or visiting the city for the very first time. If you’re looking for a show to bring out your inner child, consider the award-winning ‘The Lion King,’ ‘Wicked,’ ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,’ ‘Back to the Future,’ ‘Moulin Rouge,’ or ‘Aladdin.’
🎭 Check out our full list of Broadway shows!
5. Go to one of these incredible rooftop pools
We can’t think of a better way to escape our endless to-do list than spending a day at one of these luxurious hotel pools around the city. We don’t know about you, but we’re ready to soak up the sun and those views from a rooftop oasis or chill at the pool with a glass-bottom, sandy beach, private cabanas, and tons of lounge chairs. One of these destinations just might become our go-to for playing hooky from real life in the near future!
🏊See our favorite spots to take a dip! Want to go on a road trip to swim in a 70-ft waterfall? Check out Lower Falls in Robert H. Treman State Park!
6. Feel the joy with a personalized poem as you stroll along The High Line
Looking to find a pure moment of joy in NYC? Have Haitian-American writer and poet Benedith Lauré of Poems 4 People create a thoughtful, personalized, handwritten poem just for you! Whether you’re an NYC local or visiting the city, what could be more magical than having poetry written about you and your favorite things?
Find Benedith on The High Line every Saturday and Sunday, writing poetry from 12:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., and prepare to be moved! Simply provide her with a word, step away, and in under ten minutes, she’ll craft a beautiful, spontaneous piece of poetry that you can cherish for years to come. We can’t think of a better way to tap into your inner child than by experiencing this hidden gem along The High Line!
7. Visit Luna Park in Coney Island for an incredible day of fun
Luna Park in Coney Island is a total blast for kids, and adults will love it too thanks to all its nostalgic vibes. The park reopened in March with some really cool upgrades. It’s a fun day out with friends or an epic date night with your S.O. You can really let loose and feel like a kid again, no matter your age!
8. Go back to the prehistoric times!
Plan a weekend getaway and step back in time and reignite your love of dinosaurs at the Dinos Alive Exhibit: An Immersive Experience this summer! Discover over 80 life-sized moving replicas like the T-rex, Stegosaurus, Ankylosaurus, Velociraptors, and so much more! Get ready for an extraordinary trip to Schenectady into the world of these magnificent creatures! This exhibit takes you back millions of years as if you stepped into a time machine.
9. Have a ball at this playful pop-up filled with balloons
At Balloon Story, everything is made out of balloons—from arctic landscapes with penguins and glaciers to tropical jungles with elephants and monkeys. This amazing experience at the Park Avenue Armory is only in town for a limited time, so don’t miss it before it pops out of NYC!
10. See this burlesque parody of Star Wars
Star Wars fans, mark your calendars for the return of the Empire Strips Back experience! Plan your trip to Albany’s Hart Theatre at The Egg Center for Performing Arts. Set in the Star Wars universe, this adults-only production gives a sultry spin to some of your favorite characters. Venture to a galaxy far, far away to see sensual Stormtroopers and dazzling Jedis in a… shall we say, whole new light? While this is a nostalgic treat for Star Wars lovers, this one’s strictly for adults!
🚀Get your tickets now to space out in a galaxy far, far away!
11. Visit one of these incredible museums!
Spend hours exploring one of the many museums in NYC at your own pace and rediscover the best moments of your childhood. We could spend hours exploring these exhibits! Many of our favorites even offer free admission days, so you won’t have to spend a dime!
🏛️Check out our top museum picks!