Miniature Golf Courses for NYC Kids
For many families, mini golf is a quintessential warm-weather activity that they look forward to every year. My son loves it, so we've tried just about every putt-putt course in the tristate area.
While there are plenty of courses on Long Island and in New Jersey, you don't need to head out of town to hone your short game.
We've rounded up a handful of spots to play within the city limits, including a brand new FREE pop-up mini-golf course in Battery Park City and a community-built 18-hole course in Williamsburg. We've also found a few grown-up places where kids can take their golf game to the next level.
As sports go, mini golf is relatively inexpensive—often as little as $5 a round for kids. Another bonus: It's one of those rare intergenerational activities parents and kids can play together. You can even host a birthday party at most of these spots. Read on to find out where to play mini golf with New York City kids, and we'll see you on the green!
Editor's note: While we are trying to promote safer activities that occur outdoors or with social distancing guidelines in place, please keep your family and others safe by always wearing a mask and practicing social distancing. If you arrive at an event that appears too crowded, try using the “nearby” search feature on our Event Calendar to find something else to do. Please plan your outings in advance, as many venues require timed-entry tickets or reservations to limit crowd size.
Dedicated Mini-Golf Courses in NYC
Brooklyn Go Kart and Mini Golf – Coney Island, Brooklyn
Open seasonally; currently, it's weekends only
After you've had your fill of roller coasters and other thrill rides, hit the 18-hole putt-putt experience at Coney Island. The course features waterfalls, streams, and sand traps. You can also take a go-kart for a spin here.
Staten Island FunPark – Staten Island
Open mid-March-October
In addition to mini golf, this popular destination offers a go-kart racing track, a roller hockey rink, and batting cages. The 18-hole golf course is pretty traditional, with water and sand traps that stymie players throughout. A 2017 revamp to the park introduced new games, a snack bar, and more.
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Hit the links at Pier 25's 18-hole course before a playground romp. Photo courtesy of Hudson River Park
Pier 25 in Hudson River Park – Tribeca
Wednesdays through Sundays from March through mid-April, weather permitting; daily mid-April through mid-November
Run by Manhattan Youth, this 13,000-square-foot, 18-hole course debuted in 2011 and quickly became a family hot spot for easy, inexpensive, and accessible fun. Even mini-golf novices should be able to complete the game in less than 20 minutes, and the holes have some cute features, like one where your ball ends up in a stream and floats back to the green. Plus, there's a fantastic playground nearby. Note: It's cash-only!
Putting GREEN – Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Coming summer 2021
This climate-change-themed mini-golf course will be located at North 1st Street and River Street in North Williamsburg (just north of Domino Park) and features 18 holes, each designed by a different artist, an advocacy organization, or school group. The course is open daily and offers discounted tickets to make a round of golf accessible. The course is currently being built, so check back soon for updates.
Flushing Meadows' mini-golf course offers 18 beautifully landscaped holes, with streams and waterfalls. Photo courtesy of the center
Flushing Meadows Golf Center – Flushing, Queens
Open year-round with longer hours from May through October
This 18-hole course is lined with gorgeous waterfalls and exudes serenity. It's open late for older kids, well-lit at night, and relatively inexpensive. Bonus: If you're heading there by car, parking is FREE.
Tee Time on the Plaza – Battery Park City
Just south of Tribeca, find a free 7-hole pop-up putting course right along the Hudson River. The course is up and open now through Thursday, May 27, with hours of play running from 11:30am-7:30pm daily. Tickets are available online and will be made available after 4pm the day before for spots on the following day here.
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The indoor Shipwrecked course features a super cool pirate and NYC theme. Photo courtesy of Shipwrecked
Shipwrecked Miniature Golf – Red Hook, Brooklyn
2021 update: Reservations are required, and waivers are mandatory. Masks are required and must cover the nose and mouth. Additional COVID-19 information is available on its website.
Open year-round
This indoor mini-golf course was put together by some well-known Brooklyn buddies who previously banded together to build the Holiday Lights Spectacular in South Slope. The 18-hole course features four golf rooms, with theatrical lighting and mini-shows telling the story of Captain Red Hook. Once you've finished the course, spend some time in the arcade with its retro video games (Think: Frogger and Donkey Kong) for a quarter per play, or try your skills in an escape room.
The pretty Turtle Cove Golf Center is a popular party spot for Bronx families. Photo courtesy the center
Mini-Golf Courses at Area Grown-Up Courses
Turtle Cove Golf Center – Pelham Bay Park, the Bronx
Open year-round
This 18-hole mini-golf course in the lush Pelham Bay Park (not on City Island, despite the address) boasts landscaped gardens, shade trees, and water features. It's among our top party spots for Bronx kids, too.
Aviator Golf Center – Marine Park, Brooklyn
2021 update: The Aviator Golf Center and Riis Park Par 3 are open by reservation only. Rentals are not available. The mini-golf course is currently closed. Face coverings are required. The pro shop remains shuttered.
Open seasonally
This lovely 18-hole putt-putt course is part of a larger complex that features grown-up golf, a driving range, and a pro shop. Formerly the Brooklyn Golf Center, it's now part of Aviator Sports.
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Play an 18-hole miniature golf course with waterfalls and fountains at the Alley Pond Golf Center. Photo courtesy of the center
Alley Pond Golf Center – Douglaston, Queens
Open year-round
In addition to a driving range and a pro-shop for grown-ups, this Queens course boasts an 18-hole mini-golf course for kids and families. A $3 million renovation in 2016 spruced up of the mini-golf section, too.
More Fun Spots to Play Mini Golf in NYC
Jewish Children's Museum – Crown Heights, Brooklyn
2021 update: The Jewish Children’s Museum is open for limited capacity. Face masks are required, and social distancing is enforced. Tickets are available for purchase online.
Open year-round
The most offbeat course of them all, the Jewish Children's Museum has a small, "Six Holes of Life" mini-golf installation on its fifth floor. Of course, playing isn't the sole purpose; each hole is meant to teach a specific Jewish ritual, from bris to bar mitzvah. While it won't take long to tackle this smaller course, there are plenty of other things to do at the museum once you're through.
Kids learn about science while playing mini golf at Rocket Park Mini Golf at the New York Hall of Science. Photo courtesy of NYSCI
Rocket Park Mini Golf – Flushing, Queens
2021 update: Rocket Park Mini Golf and the New York Hall of Science are both currently closed and expected to reopen in July.
Kids get to explore concepts like propulsion, gravity, escape velocity, launch window, and a gravitational assist while playing golf at this STEM spot. The course got an overhaul in 2019, so look forward to a brand new experience when it reopens.
Industry City – Sunset Park, Brooklyn
Open year-round; outdoors beginning in late April
The NYC-themed mini-golf course at Industry City is now open year-round. During the colder months, kids can get their mini-golf fix indoors in the Game Room. The nine-hole course, inspired by Brooklyn landmarks, can be played in any order, making it a good option for even little kids.
And while it's technically not mini golf, kids may enjoy the five-hole AstroTurf putting green in the southwest corner of Bryant Park, which is open every day, weather permitting through October. The newly reopened outdoor game room also has a total of 50 FREE games for visitors to play.
This article, first published in June 2010, has since been updated. Katie Nave Freeman contributed additional reporting.