Family fun ideas to cure the winter blues, from roller skating to mini golf
Javier Ticona and his daughter Allison, play the King Kong VR game at Q-Zar. Credit: Howard Simmons
Winter can get dry and dull, but there are ways out of the lull. Here are five places on Long Island that can get the job done by injecting some afternoon family fun.
NASSAU COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART
Only 25¢ for 5 months
Winter can get dry and dull, but there are ways out of the lull. Here are five places on Long Island that can get the job done by injecting some afternoon family fun.
NASSAU COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART
Check out the "Songs Without Words: The Art of Music" exhibit at the Nassau County Museum of Art in Roslyn Harbor, which features over 200 pieces displayed in 11 different galleries.
Nassau County Museum of Art is currently displaying, the "Songs Without Words: The Art of Music" exhibit through March 6. Credit: Nassau County Museum of Art/Tab Hauser
"Some people come for the rock & roll and others come for the high art. There’s something for everybody in this show," says director Charles Riley. "We have everything from a video portrait of Lady Gaga to Niccolò Paganini’s violin to Keith Richards' and Neil Young’s guitars."
On Sundays, live concerts and artist discussions are held at 3 p.m. All guests are required to wear a mask.
WHEN | WHERE Tuesday-Sunday: 11 a.m.-4:45 p.m.; One Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor
INFO 516-484-9338, nassaumuseum.org
COST $15 ($10 for members), $10 for seniors, $5 for students
Q-ZAR
Suit up and get physical with some laser tag or axe-throwing at the newly renovated Q-ZAR in Carle Place.
Westbury resident Noah Etienne, 4, plays a Rangers vs Islanders hockey game at Q-Zar. Credit: Howard Simmons
WHEN | WHERE Monday-Thursday: 3-10 p.m., Friday: 3 p.m.-midnight, Saturday: 11 a.m.-midnight, Sunday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; 151 Voice Road in Carle Place
INFO 516-877-7200, qzarny.com
COST Laser tag: $19.95 per person, axe-throwing: $39.95 per person
UNITED SKATES OF AMERICA
Throw on a pair of skates and start rolling at United Skates of America where a live DJ spins Top 40 tunes as the rink lights up.
"Skating is great exercise and it’s a bonding activity that young and old can enjoy," says sales and events manager Jennifer Simonetti. "The adults join in, they don’t just sit back watching their kids. It’s a family event."
Katherine Kelleher and her daughter Connie Kelleher, 3, from Holtzville, skate together at United Skates of America. Credit: Morgan Campbell
Fuel up on snacks at the cafée or enjoy a mix of new and old video games at the arcade to complete the experience.
WHEN | WHERE Thursday: 4-6 p.m., Friday: 7-9 p.m. (glow-in-the-dark session), Saturday: 12:30-2:30 p.m., 3-5 p.m., 5:30-7:30 p.m. and 8-10 p.m. (hip-hop session), Sunday: noon-2 p.m. (glow-in-the-dark session), 2:30-4:30 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. (hip-hop session); 1276 Hicksville Road in Seaford
INFO 516-795-5474, unitedskates.com/public/seaford/index.cfm
COST $14 per session ($5 session on Thursday), $6 skate rental
THE RINX
Go ice skating with a waterview at The Rinx at Harborfront Park in Port Jefferson.
"Ice skating gives people a chance to put the technology down and be outside," says director Tom Palamara. "It’s a nice vibe."
Clara Caldiero, 4, from Sound Beach gets her first ice skating lesson at The Rinx at Harborfront Park in Port Jefferson. Credit: Morgan Campbell
Walk-ins are welcome and no reservations are necessary. Most sessions are 90-minutes except on Friday and Saturday nights, which are reserved for middle/high school age kids, when they are two hours. Masks must be worn while indoors but they can be removed on the outdoor ice rink.
WHEN | WHERE Monday-Thursday: noon-8 p.m., Friday: noon-10 p.m., Saturday: 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; 101 E. Broadway in Port Jefferson
INFO 631-403-4357, therinx.com/pjrinx/
COST Weekdays: $11 adults, $8.50 kids (11 and under), weekends: $12 adults, $9.50 kids (11 and under), Friday-Saturday night sessions: $13 per person, skate rentals: $6
MONSTER MINI-GOLF
Monster Mini Golf in Deer Park it is an exciting indoor monster themed glow in the dark 18-hole miniature golf course. Credit: Uli Seit
Play 18-holes at the Monster Mini-Golf in Deer Park, which is in complete black light and glows-in-the-dark.
"When you come in, it’s like Halloween year-round," says general manager John Arlo. "Each hole has a different animated monster. It’s kind of like living art."
Side attractions include an arcade with 30 brand new games, including a virtual reality experience plus a laser maze. Masks are required.
WHEN | WHERE Monday-Friday: 2-10 p.m., Saturday-Sunday: Noon-10 p.m.; 410-C Commack Road in Deer Park
INFO 631-940-8900, monsterminigolf.com/deerpark/
COST $13 adults, $12 kids (under 5 feet)