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Note: Check out the mall's official website for a directory, directions, and discounts. 

Best Things To Do at Palisades Center with Kids

1. Billy Beez

Billy Beez is an enormous indoor playground boasting more climbing and sliding opportunities than I could possibly count—“over 1,000 feet of slides,” according to its website. There are trampolines, a soft-play toddler area, air-propelled ball fountains, and a multi-use sports court—just to name a few options. There are spots for parents to sit, snacks for purchase, bathrooms, and cubbies for shoes (socks required and long pants recommended to prevent slide-burn on some of the faster-moving slides). Billy Beez has a very elaborate system for ensuring that kids stay inside the facility and leave only with the adult that brought them—it includes a bracelet that is scanned and closed gates at the entrance and exits.

2. Palisades Climb Adventure

Billed as the tallest indoor ropes course in the world, Palisades Climb Adventure soars 85 feet into the air and takes up the large open atrium in the center of the mall between the first and fifth floors. (Though officially it’s located on Level 4.) Visitors 48 inches tall (or 42 inches tall, when accompanied by an adult), are strapped into a chest and seat harness that follows them throughout the 75-obstacle course. Not for the faint of heart, this course includes tremor bridges, cargo nets, tightropes, and balance beams way above the mall floor. Not 48 inches yet? No problem. Littler kids can spend their time at the Sky Tykes course. Designed for children ages 2 to 7, this 10-obstacle mini-course gives younger kids a chance to explore the ropes course with their parents close by.

3. ClimbZone Palisades

Kids can literally climb the walls at ClimbZone in the Palisades Center. This unique indoor climbing experience features themed rock walls as tall as 40 feet that use a safe and easy-to-use auto-belay system. The vibrantly colorful walls, as well as the climbers, are visible from the walkways of the mall. ClimbZone also offers "cliffhanger" birthday parties for kids that include a party host in a private room. 

4. AMC Loews21 and IMAX

If sitting back and letting the adventure wash over you is more your speed, check out the IMAX Theater located on the top floor. This high-tech theater, with movies usually offered in 2D or 3D, immerses viewers riin the action taking place on screen. At the AMC theater, you’ll find Real 3D showings, as well as digital showings of the latest blockbusters and family-friendly movies.

RELATED: Guide to Indoor Fun for Westchester & Hudson Valley Kids

Get lost in Space Adventure's mirror maze.

5. Space Adventure Mini Golf & Mirror Maze

A world beyond your typical mall game room, Space Adventure features a large variety of arcade games as well as mini golf and a psychedelic mirror maze. Touted as the East Coast's largest mini golf course at 7,000 square feet, Space Adventure Mini Golf features an 18-hole glow-in-the-dark course with a galactic-alien glow theme. Glow-in-the-dark-themed birthday parties are also available in the private event room. Stay tuned as laser tag is coming soon!

6. Palisades Center Ice Rink

The Palisades Center Ice Rink has open skate hours year-round, all week long. Getting a spot on the ice during these sessions is easy—just show up with your skates (or rent a pair on the spot) and head out onto the ice. In addition to public ice times, the Palisades Center Ice Rink also offers learn-to-skate programs, private lessons, ice hockey lessons and team play, ice skating summer camp programs, and figure skating coaching. Looking for a cool space for a party? Depending on the package, birthday parties at the rink include pizza, goodie bags, and skate rentals for all guests.

7. Dave and Buster's

Dazzling lights, food, and noisy games that dole out tickets to cash in for prizes—sounds like bliss for many a kid. Dave & Buster's offers a full-service restaurant with kid pleasers like quesadillas and mac and cheese, an enormous game room with everything from racing games to bowling, billiards, and even shuffleboard. Earlier is better for bringing the kids, who must be accompanied by an adult over age 25.

8. Ferris Wheel

Take a ride on the 40-foot Ferris wheel in the Palisades Center food court, recently reopened after a long Covid hiatus. Boasted as New York's only indoor Ferris wheel, this classic carnival ride remains exciting for big and little kids alike. 

9. K1 Speed

Thrill-seeking kids of all ages will love to test their go-kart driving skills at this 43,000-square-foot indoor racing spot, featuring state-of-the-art electric go-karts. Junior and adult go-karts are available. There’s also a $7.95 yearly membership that will get you a free helmet, head socks, deals, and more each visit. It hosts birthday parties and, if you have a big event, you can even rent the whole place, which is on Level 2. If your child really enjoys it, there are even leagues he or she can join. Speed racers will also love Glo-Karting on Friday evenings, where the track is lit with neon LEDs.

10. All in Adventures

Have a kid who can’t get enough of puzzles and games? Try one of the escape rooms at All in Adventures. Players have to answer everything right in order to, well, “escape the room.” Each adventure has a difficulty level—from Level 1 to 5—and here you’ll find three Level 1 and 3 adventures that would work for kids: Superhero’s Adventure, Treasure Island, and Zombie Apocalypse, among others with a higher difficulty level. 

11. It'Sugar

Candy lovers of all ages will be thrilled by this candy store featuring a variety of treats. The store features candy grab bags where you pick from a variety of gummies, chocolates, and other tasty sweets and pay by weight. Other specialty items include giant gummy worms, astronaut ice cream, candy-themed plushies, pajamas, and other gifts.

12. 5 Wits

If you’re looking for something for your tweens and teens to do, consider 5 Wits. There are three different adventures—which operate on a similar premise to an escape room—to choose from at: Deep Space, Tomb, and Drago’s Castle. Each interactive adventure involves solving clues (and more!) and is infused with lots of cool elements and special effects. Not sure if it’s right for your kid? There are intro videos for each adventure on the website so you can get a feel before you visit. 

RELATED: Mini-Golf with Westchester Kids: Top Putt-Putt Spots 

Become a mad slime scientist for the day at Slime World. 

13. Slime World

Kids love the hands-on sensory experience of making their own slime. Slime World not only teaches kids how to make different types of slime but also provides a mess-free space for them to enjoy slime play. Slime birthday parties are also available.

14. Build-a-Bear Workshop

Kids can use their imagination to build their own personalized stuffed animals in the family favorite Build-a-Bear Workshop. Choose from all kinds of furry friends and personalize their outfits, sounds, scents, and more. Party packages are available where each guest makes and takes home a furry friend as well as enjoying party games and fun-filled activities.

15. Lego Store

Calling all Lego lovers! The Lego store in the Palisades Mall features a large selection of Lego kits as well as loose pieces for purchase. The store also features free special events where Brick specialists host guided building sessions based on a specific fun theme.  

16. VR 360

Virtual reality–loving kids will get a kick out of VR360, on Level 1. There, kids and grown-ups sit in an amusement park ride–looking “simulator” that moves up to 360 degrees while they move through the virtual world. Themes include a roller coaster, extreme mountain biking, and a paraglider simulator.

17. Bouncy House Magic

The popular bouncy house center with a main location in Nanuet, New York, features a pop-up in the Palisades Center. The pop-up features three large inflatable attractions with slides, balls, and more as well as a building block play space. A great way to get the kids' energy out before you go home.

18. Time Mission

TimeMission offers time travel gaming adventures for ages 6 and older. TimeMission features 32 different portals where teams of two to five people collect skill points by completing challenges. With some portals testing physical skills and others requiring mental abilities, there is a challenge for everyone. 

19. Glitter & Glam

Kids can get pampered too at Glitter & Glam, a spa for kids offering services from mini-mani and pedis to princess makeovers and meet & greets. The spa also hosts special events and birthday parties. 

20. Kids Kastle

Kids can enjoy bouncy houses, light scooter rides, transformer rides, arcades, and many more games at Kids Kastle. Drop-ins are welcome, and birthday party packages are also available.

Unless noted, photos by Katherine Dhurandhar.