{"id":71249,"date":"2022-01-12T12:39:42","date_gmt":"2022-01-12T16:39:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/?p=71249"},"modified":"2023-02-06T08:11:02","modified_gmt":"2023-02-06T12:11:02","slug":"5-fun-indoor-winter-activities-in-nyc-you-should-try-this-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/71249\/5-fun-indoor-winter-activities-in-nyc-you-should-try-this-year\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Fun Indoor Winter Activities in NYC You Should Try This Year"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For us New Yorkers, no matter how cold it gets in winter &#8211; we want action. The coldest months of the year are January and February, and the winter itself can last until the end of March. What do we do during these ice-cold months in the Big Apple? Well, we don\u2019t sit at home all day, that\u2019s for sure. There are plenty of cool things to do in the city, even when it\u2019s freezing outside. NYC is one of the most vibrant and energetic cities on the planet. It offers unrivaled experiences and activities that can suit anyone. In this post &#8211; we\u2019ll discuss a few of our favorite and fun indoor winter activities in NYC, which we definitely recommend you try!<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Fun Indoor Winter Activities in NYC You Should Try This Year:<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><b>1. PINGPOD: Futuristic Table-Tennis-On-Demand Club<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PingPod is probably one of the hottest places in town right now. This futuristic Table-Tennis-On-Demand center just opened its first location in January 2020 on the Lower East Side. Two years passed and they already have a 2nd branch in Midtown West (37th Street), and they plan to open another two branches in the next few months (one in Williamsburg and one in Astoria). There\u2019s even one coming to Philadelphia this spring!<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_71250\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-71250\" style=\"width: 741px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-71250 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Winter-Activities-in-NYC.jpeg\" alt=\"Winter Activities in NYC\" width=\"741\" height=\"486\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-71250\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-71250 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Winter-Activities-in-NYC.jpeg\" alt=\"Winter Activities in NYC\" width=\"741\" height=\"486\" srcset=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Winter-Activities-in-NYC.jpeg 741w, https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Winter-Activities-in-NYC-350x230.jpeg 350w, https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Winter-Activities-in-NYC-696x456.jpeg 696w, https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Winter-Activities-in-NYC-640x420.jpeg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 741px) 100vw, 741px\" \/><\/noscript> PingPod: Probably one of the hottest places in town right now. Photo by Jordan Rathkopf<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pingpod.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PingPod<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is definitely one of the rare COVID success stories. It already has more than 10,000 registered players, and new customer sign-ups are averaging at 750 per month (!). They get more than 1500 reservations every single month.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How does the concept work? Well, it\u2019s high-tech based, meaning &#8211; PingPod has no employees onsite. You reserve your table online, show up to play, have fun, and when you\u2019re done &#8211; walk out. One of PingPod\u2019s biggest innovations is their unique security system (plenty of cameras monitoring every angle of the club) that ensures all players follow the guidelines, which keeps the place safe. This also means the place is open 24\/7.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, this high-tech approach is not only for security purposes. If you make an awesome shot during <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gameroomshop.com\/blogs\/news\/history-and-rules-of-ping-pong-table-tennis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">your Ping Pong game<\/a>, you can click the \u201cReplay Button\u201d on your table and you\u2019ll get that video immediately sent to your email. Isn\u2019t that awesome? Well, it doesn\u2019t end there. The best video shots are compiled every month into a reel of instant replay highlights!&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Want to improve your game? You can opt for a professional coach or find a playing partner through the PingPod online community. Want to compete against others? Join the monthly social tournament series called \u2018Whiff Whaff Wednesdays,&#8217; where players compete for prizes and have tons of fun. There\u2019s no doubt, PingPod is a perfect activity for casual players, professionals, and even beginners who\u2019re looking for a fun date night that will burn some calories.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So how do you reserve your PingPong table? First, sign up on their app online. You\u2019ll need a credit card to reserve your table. When you arrive at the branch, the entrance is autonomous (and very techy) &#8211; and requires only your phone. Inside, you\u2019ll find an automated kiosk that will check your vaccine status. Lastly, at your table, you\u2019ll be welcomed by a full basket of high-quality ping pong balls and free paddles. So go have a blast!&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>2. Go Rock Climbing, Indoors<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We love indoor rock climbing, for several reasons. First and foremost, it\u2019s lots of fun. But more importantly, it\u2019s a physical and mental challenge, which is incredibly social. If you go rock climbing, it\u2019s usually as a small group, as one person always has to control the rope.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The others will cheer you as you climb up, offer advice, or tease you when you don\u2019t make it up to the top. There\u2019s a special ambiance of teamwork and courage in rock climbing, which you don\u2019t get in a lot of other indoor activities.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And when you do make it up to the top, there\u2019s that magnificent sense of accomplishment. This kind of sport, with its special moments, can create unique and powerful experiences, forging new friendships or strengthening old ones into those that last a lifetime.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We love indoor rock climbing for a few other reasons as well. It\u2019s a relatively cheap way to enjoy adventure sports, and you can climb all year long, as there are plenty of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/mommypoppins.com\/newyorkcitykids\/6-indoor-rock-climbing-places-for-kids-in-new-york-city\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">indoor climbing centers in NYC<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. For example, there\u2019s Central Rock Gym in Midtown, where even kids aged 4-8 can climb. Steep Rock Bouldering in Harlem is a unique climbing center that\u2019s dedicated to bouldering &#8211; where ropes and harnesses are not used. Use Google to find the right place for you, and you won\u2019t regret going (and climbing).&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_71252\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-71252\" style=\"width: 741px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-71252 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Indoor-Winter-Activities-in-NYC.jpeg\" alt=\"Indoor Winter Activities in NYC\" width=\"741\" height=\"486\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-71252\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-71252 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Indoor-Winter-Activities-in-NYC.jpeg\" alt=\"Indoor Winter Activities in NYC\" width=\"741\" height=\"486\" srcset=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Indoor-Winter-Activities-in-NYC.jpeg 741w, https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Indoor-Winter-Activities-in-NYC-350x230.jpeg 350w, https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Indoor-Winter-Activities-in-NYC-696x456.jpeg 696w, https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Indoor-Winter-Activities-in-NYC-640x420.jpeg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 741px) 100vw, 741px\" \/><\/noscript> Photo by YNS Pit on Unsplash.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><b>3. Escape the Cold, in an Escape Room<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another super social activity (although less physical) that has become one of the popular <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">indoor winter activities in NYC<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; is Escape Rooms. Almost every Escape Room I tried was fun. Some may be less intriguing than others, but if you come with the right sort of friends (or family) &#8211; then there\u2019s no chance in the world that you won\u2019t have fun.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Never been to an Escape Room? Well, it\u2019s a smart combination of a theater, gameplay with critical thinking and a bit of a physical adventure. There\u2019s always a unique storyline, combined with an array of puzzles and riddles that you and your team have to solve in order to escape the room.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why do we love Escape rooms? With a time limit for every task, the game is always very engaging and promotes task persistence. It creates that fun sense of urgency and (a bit of) risk. Similar to Rock Climbing, Escape rooms are also a great way to get to know your friends and build stronger bonds. Some storylines I experienced in Escape rooms were so good and captivating, that they made me and my friends so curious and determined to solve the task &#8211; no matter the cost :) Here\u2019s a list of some good <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Escape rooms in NYC<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>4. Learn a Little More About The Big Apple<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re tired of all these physical indoor winter activities in NYC, then visiting the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcny.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Museum of the City of New York <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">might be the right place to spend a day. No matter if you\u2019re visiting NYC for the first time, 5th time, or if you\u2019ve been living here your entire life &#8211; discovering the narrative of NYC is a must-do activity, and it&#8217;s best done in the cold winter.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This beautiful museum tells the story of NYC from its beginning as a small Dutch trading post and until its iconic status today as one of the most important cities on the planet. The permanent collection has more than three million items (!), including costumes, paintings and statues, prints and old photographs, decorative arts, theater and even toys.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What are my top favorite artifacts? First, the \u2018Then and Now Photos of New York City\u201d. It\u2019s absolutely amazing to watch and see how NYC looked in its early days. Then, there\u2019s the Breakfast at Tiffany\u2019s Chandelier,&nbsp; the Tiffany &amp; Co. Shovel and first Subway ticket (!), apparel worn at George Washington\u2019s inaugural ball, and many more.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>5. Spend a few hours (or more) in a Coffee Shop<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is the last on my list of fun winter activities in NYC, and I usually combine this \u201cactivity\u201d with one of the above. However, occasionally on very cold and dark winter days &#8211; I can spend a whole day in a nice Coffee shop, with my laptop, iPhone, and airpods. I love taking some <a href=\"https:\/\/im-a-puzzle.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">jigsaw puzzles<\/a> with me or play a game of <\/span><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.play-solitaire.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Solitaire<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check out this list of great <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.timeout.com\/newyork\/restaurants\/best-coffee-shops-in-new-york\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coffee shops in NYC<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and our favorite cozy <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/8531\/cafes-in-brooklyn-with-wifi\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cafes in Brooklyn<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re more of a Hot Chocolate fan, you should definitely visit Serendipity 3 on the Upper East Side, and try their world-famous \u201cfrozen hot chocolate\u201d. This delicacy is served with a big scoop of whipped cream and chocolate shavings, but you\u2019ll probably need to book your table way ahead of time\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hope you\u2019ll try one of these fun winter activities in NYC, and if you do &#8211; share with us your experience!<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"mediavine-settings\" data-blocklist-all=\"1\" data-expires-at=\"2022-01-31\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For us New Yorkers, no matter how cold it gets in winter &#8211; we want action. The coldest months of the year are January and February, and the winter itself can last until the end of March. What do we do during these ice-cold months in the Big Apple? Well, we don\u2019t sit at home [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":150,"featured_media":71259,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[814,325,823],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-71249","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports-2","8":"category-new-york","9":"category-ping-pong-sports-2"},"acf":[],"mv":{"thumbnail_id":71259,"thumbnail_uri":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Indoor-Winter-Activities-4-350x230.jpeg"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/71249","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/150"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=71249"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/71249\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/71259"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=71249"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=71249"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=71249"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}