Paintball is one of those activities that's just waiting to be reclaimed by adults en masse and join the ranks of
dodgeball, kickball, and, similarly, board games.
Can't wait for that to happen? Lucky for you, New York has a couple options for you to channel your inner kid, and get a little warpaint on you.
Over in Long Island City, Queens,
New York City Paintball boasts a 27,000 square foot facility, and the only indoor paintball facility in the city to boot. Whether it's for party, corporate event, or to kill the boredom on a slow Saturday, the space has you covered.
Here's the rundown: During the week (Tuesday through Thursday), you can get admission, unlimited playtime and 500 paintballs (as well as the gun, mask and other gear) for $36. Friday through Sunday it's $42 (though limited to three hours of playtime). For more paint action, there's a second setup - 1,000 paintballs, plus admission and all the extras, for $49 during the week (it's $55 on the weekend, for up to four hours of play).
For those not thrilled about the prospect of paint everywhere (unless, of course, you're that good at paintball), there's also laser tag. Play with a real paintball gun, just no paint, without as much of a mess (you are still playing on a real paintball field). That runs you $25 for a 1.5 hour laser tag session, $49 for three hours, or, if you want to get the best of both worlds, $42 for both laser tag and paintball.
If an outdoor field is what you're looking for, that's a bit more of a hike. Up in Putnam County,
Liberty Paintball gets you out in the open. Open year-round on Saturdays and Sundays, Liberty has over 350 acres of outdoor paintball fields for both walk-ons and private parties, so you can have that paint dry right under the sun.
Leaving from the city, the best way to get up there without the hassle is by train. The MTA offers a
package including discount round-trip rail fair and admission (including paint gun, goggles/mask and 500 paintballs) for $57. That way, you can leave the mess on the field and get there and back in one piece.
