The 10 Best 18th Birthday Party Ideas in NYC

You’re officially an adult… or about to be!

Eighteen is a big year. Legally one becomes an adult and is given the right to vote. Many of these new adults go off to college, trade school, or full-time work to begin paving their own way. Their 18th birthday is going to be big, and it should go out with a bang.

Wondering how you should spend your 18th birthday?

In New York City, there’s plenty of ways to make an 18th birthday party one for the books. From the highest skyscrapers to the Hudson River, we’ve combed through what our great city offers to inspire how you’ll celebrate your own milestone birthday, or that of a friend or loved one. Keep reading to learn about some great adult birthday party ideas NYC. Here are some great places for teen birthday parties as well.

Here’s our favorite list of 18th birthday ideas that you can do in NYC:

Indoor Extreme Sports

For those who love extreme sports in NYC, Indoor Extreme Sports has literally everything. Paintball, escape rooms, and even axe throwing are all to be had. It’s perfect for the daredevil at heart, or for a high-energy surprise.

Fly High Trampoline Park

Who doesn’t love to bounce as high as they can? We’ve all enjoyed the thrill of trampolines, and Fly High on Staten Island is perhaps the best way to relive that joy in NYC. There’s tons of party packages available, and you can’t go wrong with massage chairs!

Sea the City

Want to really make an 18th birthday party pop? Jump on a jet ski in the Hudson and party pulling tricks on your first try with us! Our tour guide is specially trained to teach thrilling moves even to the most inexperienced of beginners.

Benihana Teppanyaki

Delicious Japanese cuisine served up with an exciting twist! Benihana Teppanyaki is one of the best examples of the performance-based teppanyaki cooking style – chefs are more like acrobats over a hot surface, and know to make an 18th birthday party one to remember.

School of Rock

If you’re celebrating a musician, could there be a better gift? School of Rock takes musical lessons to another level by focusing on live performance. Students from beginner to advanced work toward building a live show and experience playing with other people collaboratively from the beginning.

Broadway

There’s perhaps no more iconic venue in NYC than Broadway. From The Phantom of the Opera to Hamilton, life-changing shows take the stage one after the other, delivered by some of the world’s most revered actors.

Peerspace

Maybe this 18th birthday is just an occasion to get some friends together and hang out. Do it in style with Peerspace, an Airbnb-style venue rental program where you can rent out anything from a gallery space to a vibey, rocking practice space.

Makerspace

Life 18 and beyond is about exploring, and Makerspace has plenty to explore. Take a class and learn a new skill with friends, or give a membership to the Makerspace if the recipient is handy or has always wanted to try something new.

Watson Adventures Scavenger Hunts

We all remember scavenger hunts as kids. Watson Adventures takes it to the next level with city-wide scavenger hunts that bring you to all parts of NYC. It’s a beautiful way to see the city, and a memorable birthday celebration loaded with fun!

Flux Photobooth Company

A picture’s worth a thousand words, and perfect for remembering one of the most important days of your life. Flux Photobooth Company’s photobooth service brings all the props and makes all the shots. All you have to do is have a ball of a time!

What To Do on Your 18th Birthday with Friends

All of the items listed above would make a fantastic 18th birthday celebration. Of course, there’s something else you could do that would make your birthday truly memorable. Rather than renting jet skis, how about heading out on the water in a one-of-a-kind hot tub boat? This will make your birthday beyond memorable as we’ll cruise down the Hudson River and out to the Statue of Liberty.

You can either have up to 10 or 20 people onboard the boat, which will make for a nice but intimate setting. This is the party boat to book when you want to relax and unwind with your friends. As an 18-year-old, you won’t be allowed to drink, but who needs alcoholic beverages when you and your closest friends can kick back in a state of luxury?

You’ll be able to send off your childhood with a bang! This also provides you with a truly fantastic outing before your friends go to different colleges or begin different careers. Use your 18th birthday as an excuse to get the whole gang together for one last special event. It’s an experience that everyone will remember for a lifetime, which will cement your status as lifelong friends!

Can you picture yourself on the boat, soaking in the hot tub as you look at the Statue of Liberty? Make this dream become a reality by booking our hot tub boat! You’ll be glad you did as the memories will last forever. Here are some 21st birthday ideas & 30th birthday ideas to consider in the future.