Axe-throwing and blindfolded sculpting are definitely going on our list
NYC is full of fun family-friendly activities to involve the kids in. But sometimes, you just want to leave the kids with the babysitter and head out there for a solo parents night out. Why stick to the same-old dinner and a drink when you live in the insanely unique New York City? Whether you’re adrenaline junkies or crafty creatives, you’ll find a fitting parents-only date night idea for you below!
Active and Sporty Date Ideas for Parents
Aim for Bullseye at Gotham Archery
Whether you’re a LARPing archer or have never even seen a bow in real life, Gotham Archery will get you up to speed. Take an introductory course to get hands-on with the sport and learn everything you need to know to shoot an arrow straight at bullseye! Enthusiastic and well-informed teachers lead classes through proper stance, the basic rules of the lanes (such as “hey, don’t shoot when someone’s in front of you!”), and the difference between a compound and recurve bow (both of which are available to try). If you like the experience, following the intro class you can reserve lanes any time and turn this into a recurring date night.
In Brooklyn:
480 Baltic St.
Boerum Hill
In Manhattan:
73 Allen St. 2nd Fl.
Lower East Side
Online: got-archery.com
Blow Off Some Steam with Axe Throwing
Drinking and axe-throwing might sound like they don’t mix, but the axe-throwing bars of NYC would beg to differ. Spaces are open to everyone from beginners through to axe-throwing pros, thanks to the guidance of on-location “axeperts.” These guides, available at any location you chose, will help set you up with the basics of throwing and safety, then stick around to answer questions and make sure everything’s running smoothly.
Live Axe
96 Lafayette St.
Little Italy
Online: liveaxe.com
Kick Axe Throwing
622 Degraw St.
Park Slope
Online: kickaxe.com
Bury the Hatchet
25 Noble St.
Greenpoint
Online: burythehatchet.com
Go Swing Dancing at Swing 46
Travel back in time to the heyday of swing music at Swing 46, an NYC swing dancing hotspot. Dust off your dancing shoes and hit the floor to rock-step in time with live band performances. Never swung before? No problem! Many live sets are preceded by a half-hour intro to the basic steps.
Love the swing dance scene? Check out upcoming performances and events from Michael Arenella and his Dreamland Orchestra (including the annual Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island). Or, head to this updated listing of all the swing dancing events happening soon.
349 W 46th St.
Hell’s Kitchen
Online: swing46.nyc
Do Yoga… Naked! at Bold Naked
Embrace your bodies together by taking part in a naked yoga class. Classes are led by Joschi and Monika, who offer a welcoming environment whether you’re looking for private couple classes or a full session with other people. There’s also the option to book a tantric massage for two, to really find your inner zen. Leave your worries—and clothes—at the door and embrace this moment to get back in touch with your own bodies and each other, away from the everyday stresses of parenting!
West 52nd St.
Theater District
Online: boldnaked.com
Scale the Side of a Skyscraper at Edge
NYC’s Edge overlook offers one of the most stunning views of NYC, from an insane 100 stories up. Being up on this glass-floored, open-air observation deck can be a transformative experience. But for real thrill-seekers, you can get even more intense. City Climb hooks you up in safety harnesses and lets you scale the 45-degree angle side of the edge and look out at the city without any of that pesky glass in the way. This one’s not for the faint of heart!
30 Hudson Yards
Hudson Yards
Online: edgenyc.com
Climb to New Heights with Indoor Rock Climbing
If climbing up the side of an NYC skyscraper is a bit too much of an adventure for you, start smaller with indoor rock climbing and bouldering. There are a number of places in NYC where you can ascend to new heights together—literally. If you’ve never done this before, you can take an intro to climbing course that’ll set you up with the basics, then let you roam free in the facilities and practice what you learned. Both The Cliffs and Brooklyn Boulders also host a variety of other events like climbing parties and yoga classes, and full gym facilities so you can get a complete workout together.
Don’t miss the sauna at The Cliffs in Gowanus and the ping-pong table at Brooklyn Boulders! You can even book the kids into a youth group and go off to climb around on your own, knowing that the little ones are in good hands with experienced and friendly instructors.
The Cliffs LIC
11-11 44th Dr.
Long Island City
Online: lic.thecliffsclimbing.com
The Cliffs Gowanus
242 Butler St.
Gowanus
Online: gowanus.thecliffsclimbing.com
The Cliffs Harlem
256 W 125th St.
Harlem
Online: harlem.thecliffsclimbing.com
Brooklyn Boulders
23-10 41st Ave.
Queensbridge
Online: brooklynboulders.com
Skydive Indoors at iFly
Lift off into the sky and try out skydiving without ever having to step outside. The iFly experience suspends you in the air with powerful wind tunnels. Trained and experienced instructors will help set you up your first time and learn how to maintain control in the space. After that, you can keep coming back for more high-flying fun and even learn to turn and do tricks as you become more advanced!
849 Ridge Hill Blvd.
Yonkers
Online: iflyworld.com
Unleash Your Inner Child at Adventure Park in Area 53
Who says arcades are only for kids? The folks behind Adventure Park at Area 53 know that sometimes, adults want to climb, bounce, and play, too! That’s why every Tuesday and Thursday, the space opens its doors to adults over 18 only, with a live DJ and free, unlimited access to the roller skating rink. You also get to play around with everything Adventure Park has to offer, including ziplining, rock climbing, a ninja course, and much more.
53 Bridge St.
Dumbo
Online: area53nyc.com
Date Night Ideas for Parents to Get Artsy and Crafty
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Drink and Munch as You Make Art at Paint n Pour
Some paint and sip places are BYOB, but Paint n Pour believes that no one should have to make art while thirsty… or hungry! The special painting experience has a cocktail menu themed around famous historic artists, as well as a menu of appetizers and finger food. Keep an eye out for special couples nights where the art you make separately comes together into a complete diptych!
in LES:
53 Delancey St.
Lower East Side
in Harlem:
2080 Frederick Douglass Blvd.
Harlem
Online: paintnpournyc.com
Sculpt Blindfolded at Unarthodox
Want to try sculpting with a twist? Get unorthodox at Unarthodox with their Sculpting Without Sight program. This art class with a twist turns sculpting into a multisensory experience through the use of a blindfold, soft music, scintillating scents, and the tactile act of forming art from a clay bust. This option is perfect for couples who are looking for an introduction to being artistic since it allows you to unleash your creativity without worrying about your sculpture not looking “good.”
Unarthodox has other immersive art experiences that would make equally exciting date nights, including an immersive Picasso painting night, fun group improv sessions, multisensory painting experiences, and many other ways to get creative as you engage your senses.
547 West 27th St., Suite 300
Chelsea
Online: unarthodox.com
Get Cooking at Taste Buds Kitchen
Cooking is something we just have to do, whether we want to or not. (Unless you order out every day, in which case, the following still applies!) But that doesn’t mean that cooking can’t be enjoyable. Rediscover (or discover) the joy of cooking together as a team at Taste Buds Kitchen’s cooking classes. You can join in on a group class (it’s BYOB, so you can sip along as you craft a delicious meal), or book a private lesson for a more intimate environment. Taste Buds Kitchen also regularly hosts children’s classes, so you can always come back with the rest of the fam if you enjoy the experience.
109 West 27th St.
Midtown
Online: tastebudskitchen.com
Find Peace in Zen Weaving at Loop of the Loom
Parents who are looking for a way to wind down and relax while learning a new skill will find both at Loop of the Loom. The space has group and private classes in the art of SAORI, a textile weaving experience that’s rooted in the idea of zen and mindfulness. Loop of the Loom also teaches felting and other arts, and has project-based classes if you want to walk away from the experience with a finished scarf or hat. (And they have kid classes, too!)
For those days when you want to go on a date but just can’t get away from the kids, this textile space offers private virtual lessons and rental looms so you can follow along from home.
in UES:
227 East 87th St.
Upper East Side
in Dumbo:
197 Plymouth St.
Dumbo
Online: loopoftheloom.com
Escape into Virtual Reality with Escape Virtuality
Escape rooms are a fantastic group activity to complete with friends. But if you’re looking for a two-people-only experience, you’re more likely to find a good match at Escape Virtuality. Along with traditional physical escape rooms, there are virtual reality experiences here that are designed specifically for two people to complete. Work together to escape from a temple, complete a set of experiments, and experience virtual environments beyond anything the physical world can offer. VR experiences rotate regularly, so check back to see what’s on offer for a couple’s night out.
130 West 29th St.
Midtown
Online: escapevirtuality.com
Performances with a Twist for Parent Date Nights
Sleep No More at the McKittrick
Sleep No More isn’t the kind of performance that you sit back and watch passively. In this unique interactive performance, the show happens all around you. The show retells Shakespeare’s Macbeth as a film noir immersive story, told through the environment, surrounding actors, and your (silent, masked) interactions with both. You might be entering the McKittrick Hotel, but the moment you step in you’re transported to a 1930s bar, full of references to film noir classics and Hitchcock movies.
530 West 27th St.
Chelsea
Online: mckittrickhotel.com
Watch an Intimate Performance with Candlelight Concerts
The Candlelight Concerts, as the name suggests, is a series of live performances held in the glow of candlelight. These feature everything from an orchestral tribute to Ed Sheeran and Radiohead to Vivaldi and Hanz Zimmer. Venues also vary, with concerts being held at various NYC locations like hotels, opera houses, and churches.
Various locations
Online: feverup.com
Spiral into Shenanigans with Drunk Shakespeare
Drunk Shakespeare is an intimate, classic performance of one of Shakespeare’s plays with a hilarious twist: One actor gets progressively more intoxicated throughout the night. This actor has the right to pause the action and call out a new rule, with shenanigans getting sillier and more amusing throughout the night. (The cast of Hamlet must act as Teletubbies? Yes, why not!) Visitors are encouraged to enjoy their own drinks as the actors move all around the seating space, acting around the audience and sometimes involving them in the action. Note that in order to get full enjoyment from this experience, it definitely helps to know the Bard’s work (which play is performed is a surprise!).
11 Hanover Square, inside Selene Restaurant
Financial District
Online: drunkshakespeare.com
Get Risque with Red Velvet Burlesque
This is definitely an adults-only event! Enjoy the raunchy yet classy experience of the Red Velvet Burlesque. The Red Velvet Burlesque performance features over-the-top choreography and acrobatics, for a spectacular and unforgettable show!
621 West 46th St.
Hell’s Kitchen
Online: redvelvetburlesqueshow.com
Outside the Box Parent Date Night Ideas
Get Your Nerd on at Barcade
Classic arcade machines and good drinks unite at the city’s Barcade locations! Step right into the heyday of arcades like Pacman and Galaga. Each play is 50 cents, and there are plenty of two-player options for some bonding over 8-bit. Best of all, unlike other arcades in the city (like Dave and Buster’s), kids aren’t allowed except during designated family days.
in Midtown:
148 West 24th St.
Midtown
in NoHo:
6 St. Marks Pl.
NoHo
in Williamsburg:
388 Union Ave.
Williamsburg
Online: barcade.com
Have a Relaxing Spa Day at an NYC Bathhouse
After all the excitement from your other date nights, you’ve earned a relaxing day at the spa. Visit the World Spa for experiences inspired by Japanese onsens, Finnish saunas, Turkis and Moroccan hammams, and other bathhouse spaces that’ll take you all over the world. Or head to the Aire Ancient Baths for a Roman, Greek, and Ottoman bathhouse experience. From saunas and healing baths to spa experiences and massage sessions, you’ll feel like you’re no longer in NYC!
World Spa
1571 McDonald Ave.
Mapleton
Online: worldspa.com
Aire Ancient Baths
88 Franklin St.
Lower Manhattan
Online: beaire.com
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