The best mini golf in NYC

Kids will dig the fun lighting and special effects in this pirate-themed 18-hole miniature golf course. It's indoors, and you'll travel through different rooms to go under the sea or explore a forest. When you're through, there are vintage arcade games to enjoy for 25 cents a play (think Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man, Donkey Kong and Frogger. Make sure to stop in for one of the venue's shows throughout the year: You'll find happenings that include jugglers, magicians and even puppet shows. Bonus for parents! Shipwrecked now serves beer, wine and hard cider (in addition to non-alcoholic beverages and delicious snacks for when the kiddos get the munchies). $17-$22 per person 

If you're into mini golf, Pier 25's setup is one of the most impressive in town: you'll definitely need to visit! With 18 holes and 13,000-square-feet of playing space, there's certainly plenty to see: real water features like a waterfall, pond, stream and several footbridges, plus traditional sand traps and a cave! Pier 25 even offers golf clubs of varying sizes so everyone's comfortable. The only fault we can find with this particular course is that it's super popular, so if you can go early or at odd hours, you're better off and will have more space to play. $10 for adults, $5 for children 

Putting Green is an 18-hole course on a 15,000-square-foot tiered deck on the North Williamsburg riverfront. The course offers a fun time while also educating players about climate change, green and blue infrastructure, animal habitats, energy, and emissions. Each hole offers up a different scene, like "Down the drain," demonstrating how litter and debris get washed down storm drains and into waterways, and "Whale Fall Feast," showing what happens when a whale dies and sinks to the bottom of the ocean. Other holes feature polar bears, a windmill, a cow, and a depiction of sea-level rise. $10 for adults, $5 for kids and seniors.

Keep an eye out on its website to make sure it’s open for the season.

The New York Hall of Science has an additional 60,000 square feet of outdoor space that includes exhibits for museumgoers ready to get active, like an interactive science playground and a rocket park that invites visitors to get close to a spacecraft formerly on display at the World’s Fair. For a more interactive experience near the retired outer space–venturing vessels, sign up for nine holes of rocket mini golf, where kids (and adults) can learn about gravity and asteroids and putt through more intriguing galactic mysteries.

At Flushing Meadows, kids can putt their way through 18 holes complete with streams, waterfalls and pretty landscaping. The mini range is also open and fully lit at nighttime! A round at Flushing usually takes about 30 minutes, and a putter and ball rental are included in the playing price. $10 for adults, $7.50 for children

We all know and love Brooklyn Crab for its outdoor seating, tasty seafood and deliciously boozy drinks like the bourbon pomegranate slushie. However, this awesome restaurant is actually also a great place to explore with the kids during the afternoon. You can duke it out in a game of shuffleboard or bags, and kiddos can get in on eight-hole mini golf and settle the score with their siblings. Expect classic green astro turf, a red windmill and some pretty stellar beachside décor like a windmill and pelican lawn ornament. Free access to mini-golf

Take the kiddies to Staten Island’s amusement park where you can putt-putt through uphills and downhills, perfect for any age and skill level. It’s $9.50 for adults and $7.50 for kids. But make a day of it and check out its go-karts and batting cages, too!

American Dream in the Meadowlands is home to an intergalactic-themed mini golf course. Catch 3-D astronaut sculptures, planet murals and a splash of color at every hole while you work your way toward victory. Oh, did we mention that it's completely glow-in-the-dark? Out of This World Blacklight Mini Golf even has glow-in-the-dark equipment: balls, putters and scorecards. It's one of the most Instagrammable places near NYC and it makes for fun family competition. $20 per person

Families can enjoy this 27-hole putt-putt course with two levels, a warm-up practice green for newbies and three individually themed courses, located right across the street from the Piers’ famous Wildwood sign. There are three courses to choose from, depending on your kid’s interests: A beach course full of sandcastles and dines, an ocean course with fountains and sea critters, and last but not least, a boardwalk course with plastic palm trees and vintage Wildwood memorabilia. 9 holes $14, $12 child; 18 holes $19, $16 child; 27 holes $23, $20 child; Children 2 & under are free; Senior citizens $12.