The Best Immersive Events NYC Has to Offer This June (2026)

Summer in the city: longer days, warmer weather and New Yorkers looking for exciting activities to draw them out from the apartments where they spent their winters cocooned.

Whether you’re into improv or wish you could be part of a Broadway musical, there are plenty of options to excite you as the nights grow longer. Here are some of the most immersive events NYC has dreamed up for the coming season.

1. An air of mystery With “Masquerade”

When: Ongoing dates with daily shows (except Mondays); timed entries every 15 minutes from 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.

Where: Masquerade (218 W. 57th St., New York)

Price: From $175 per person

The experience: “Masquerade” is a production of the popular Broadway musical “Phantom of the Opera,” but it’s set in a space that allows those who attend to become part of the story. Directed by Tony Award winner Diane Paulus, this tale of obsessive longing will unfold around members of the audience as they move between several floors, with masked members of the shows cast performing the well-known score by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Why it’s unique: Created in partnership with the same production company that brought “Sleep No More” to New York, “Masquerade” combines a costumed masquerade ball with the magic of Broadway to fully immerse you — almost like you’re part of the cast. Instead of sitting in one spot and watching the plot unfold on a stage, you will move throughout a multi-story building that places you in the middle of the action.

Other key info: Nobody younger than 13 is admitted, and anyone younger than 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Attendees are asked to bring a mask to match the black, white and silver dress code and to wear comfortable shoes for walking. Masks and cloaks are available for participants who haven’t adhered to the dress code. Photos and videos are not allowed during the show. If you don’t arrive on time, you won’t be allowed to enter. In lieu of tickets, all guests will receive a password 24 hours prior to their scheduled show time. Reservations can be made on the show’s website, and they cannot be refunded, exchanged or resold. Contact the theater with questions about accessibility.

2. Drink, drank, drunk Romeo & Juliet

When: Ongoing dates with daily shows; 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Friday; 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Saturday; and 5 p.m. Sunday

Where: The Ruby Theatre (35 W. 39th St., New York)

Price: From $39 per person

The experience: This is “Romeo & Juliet” with a bit of a twist. Guests watch as one member of the five-person cast takes several shots prior to showtime and then attempts to play their role to the best of their ability. What results are flubbed lines, plenty of improv and audience participation as the sober members of the cast do their best to keep everything on track in a speakeasy-style setting.

Why it’s unique: The show, which is part of the “Drunk Shakespeare” series, adds an element of unpredictability to a classic play. Because the drunk cast member changes with each performance, no two shows are the same. Plus, cast interaction with the audience makes this one of the most immersive events NYC has seen in a while.

Other key info: Shows last 90 minutes, and theatergoers must be 21 or older to attend. If this is your idea of fun, you can snag tickets on Brasstix.

3. Become a detective with Accomplice The Village

When: Ongoing dates with tours on Saturdays only, departing every 30 minutes between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Where: Greenwich Village; secret starting location revealed after booking

Price: From $92.50 per person

The experience: This low-tech comedic walking tour invites participants to serve as super sleuths on a quest to find a missing girl during a jaunt through New York’s Greenwich Village. After the secret meeting place is revealed via e-mail the day before your tour, you’ll meet your guides — a group of improv actors who will help you on your quest — and work together to solve riddles that unlock the mystery.

Why it’s unique: Accomplice The Village is a collaborative group activity that fosters face-to-face communication and encourages movement. (It is a walking tour, after all.) At a time when most of us are glued to our phones, this activity offers a welcome break from the screen in an outdoor atmosphere.

Other key info: The experience lasts about two hours, and the price includes two drinks. Tours can accommodate up to 11 people. Private tours are available for groups of 11 or more. This activity is recommended for anyone 10 or older. Babies are not allowed unless they’re part of a private group booking. Some venues are not wheelchair accessible; contact Accomplice in advance of booking for accommodations. Tickets are available on the Accomplice website.

4. Multisensory art at ARTE MUSEUM

When: Ongoing dates with daily hours; Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (last entry 5:30 p.m.) and Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (last entry 7:30 p.m.)

Where: Chelsea Piers (61 Chelsea Piers, New York)

Price: From $35 (kids, seniors, military and New York and New Jersey residents) or $45 (standard adult) per person; $5 extra for museum and cafe combo ticket

The experience: Through sounds, smells and digital art visuals, visitors will find themselves enveloped in an ode to nature. Stroll through this exhibit as you take in the smell of fresh flowers and hear the gentle roar of ocean waves. It’s a self-led multisensory experience that offers something a bit different this summer.

Why it’s unique: The ARTE MUSEUM experience was developed in partnership with the Musee D’Orsay in Paris to digitally showcase works by famous artists like Van Gogh, Monet and others in a way that’s more interactive and immersive without forcing art lovers to travel to Europe to see them. Because the museum is self-guided, it allows you to stroll through at your own pace. It’s a fantastic choice for those who don’t wish to see an actor-centric performance.

Entry to the accompanying ARTE CAFE can be tacked onto the price of admission with a combo ticket for an extra $5. The experience entitles you to one drink; additional drinks and snacks can be purchased a la carte. When you enter, you’ll choose a character to be projected on top of your drink as you set it down on a digital tabletop.

Other key info: Visits usually last between 60 and 90 minutes. Tickets are sold via Fever. Group bookings are available. Guests with museum-only tickets can enter the cafe for a cost of $7 per drink. Tickets are nonrefundable but can be exchanged.  

5. Instagrammable eye candy at i Candy NYC

When: Ongoing dates with daily hours; entry times every 15 minutes from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday

Where: One Times Square (1475 Broadway, New York)

Price: From $32 per person for general admission; discounts available for groups and families

The experience: Among the sweetest immersive events NYC houses is i Candy. Each person who pays for admission receives a bucket to fill with candy as they move through the exhibit’s four floors. The experience swirls together a bit of New York history, featuring fun facts and iconic places; interactive games; plenty of fun photo ops and, of course, candy.

Why it’s unique: With its colorful, mouthwatering displays, this is one of the most Instagrammable activities on our list. Plus, who doesn’t love a solid sugar rush? It’s also located in the iconic former New York Times headquarters, now dubbed One Times Square, which is the site of the annual New Year’s Eve ball drop. The building is undergoing massive renovations to turn it into a hub for all things New York City, meaning there’s plenty more to do on the property when you leave i Candy.

Other key info: Event tickets are available on Fever. The venue is accessible, and children are welcome. (Ages 2 and younger enter for free.) Tickets are nonrefundable, but they are transferrable to someone else. Date and time changes are allowed up to 48 hours from your scheduled visit. Expect the experience to last between 60 and 90 minutes.

6. Scares and steps with NYC Ghosts Walking Tours

When: Ongoing dates with daily slots at 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. depending on tour

Where: Washington Square Park (under the park’s arch at Washington Square North, New York) or 17 Barrow Street, New York, depending on tour

Price: From $29 per adult; $19 for kids 6 and older; free for children 5 and younger (Children are not permitted on the pub crawl.)

The experience: NYC Ghosts offers two spooky nighttime tours of New York City’s Greenwich Village. The first, Chilling Nightmares and Necromancy, is suitable for families, lasts about an hour and features a guided walk that hits several of The Village’s most historic and haunted locations.

The second, the Ghosts, Boos and Booze Pub Crawl, will have you visiting the area’s haunted watering holes, where you can enjoy beer and cocktails. This two-hour event does not include alcohol in the price, and drinks cannot be carried from bar to bar.

Extended tour options are available for an additional fee, and they add about 30 minutes to the standard tour offerings. Depending on the tour you select, you can expect to visit anywhere from eight to 10 locations.

Why it’s unique: These tours get you outside and moving and include the services of a local guide who will tell you all about some of New York’s most haunted locations. They include Washington Square Park, the House of Death, the Edgar Allen Poe House, the Billop Conference House and the One If By Land, Two If By Sea pub, the former home of Aaron Burr.

Other key info: Grab your tickets directly from the NYC Ghosts website. Refunds and date changes will only be honored for tours that are a week or more away, and arrangements must be made directly with the tour company, not tour guides. Rebooking fees apply. Tours are held rain or shine, so be sure to bring an umbrella, and wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Most tours are not ideal for people who use mobility aids.

7. Competitive and team-building fun at Immersive Gamebox

When: Ongoing dates; hours from noon to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon to 11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday

Where: Lower East Side (81 Essex St., New York)

Price: Variable, based on challenge and amount of time selected; junior tickets available for kids aged 3 to 11

The experience: When it comes to gamified immersive events, NYC offers a plethora, but some of the best are at Immersive Gamebox. With a partner or a group of friends or coworkers, you select your quest from a list of themes that include Batman, Squid Game, Floor is Lava, Ghostbusters and more. There are also Paw Patrol and Angry Birds options for younger players. With your group, enter the box and complete anywhere from four to six puzzles and physical challenges to win these escape room-style challenges.

Why it’s unique: All games weave together augmented reality, image mapping and responsive designs that make you and your friends the game controllers via visors you wear on your head. You can choose from games that pit you against one another or experiences that encourage collaboration. Either way, you’ll want to bring a posse. This is a great way to have fun in an immersive roleplay setting that’s both social and intellectual.

Other key info: Standard experiences take about an hour. Want to take on more than one challenge? Various packages allow you to buy extra time. You can buy tickets on the Immersive Gamebox website. Tickets can be shifted to a different day or time up to 48 hours prior to scheduled game play.

Bottom line

When it comes to quirky and immersive events that allow you to role play or otherwise be included in the action, New York has no shortage.

Have a popup concept that you think would work to enfold participants in a social media-worthy fantasy world for a couple of hours? Plan it with Peerspace. It’s the best place to find unique, bookable venues that will make attendees say, “Why didn’t I think of that?” Peerspace’s burgeoning marketplace offers alfresco rooftop spaces, funky lofts, epic mansions, industrial warehouses and more. Search in New York City to quickly locate a Peerspace venue that captures the vibe you’re envisioning. Reach out directly to property owners to go over the details and ask questions. By-the-hour pricing is available, and it’s transparent. That means you’ll have a better idea of your overall cost and won’t pay extra for time you don’t need.