Dave & Buster’s – Multiple Locations

Dave & Buster’s – All Play, All Day

Finding a Chol Hamoed activity that genuinely thrills a teenager while still being fun for a seven-year-old can be a major challenge. When you need a high-energy, weather-proof destination that bridges the age gap, Dave & Buster’s is one of the most reliable options out there.

With multiple massive locations scattered across the Tristate area and beyond—including spots in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Pelham Manor, Philadelphia, and South Jersey—it is incredibly easy to fit a visit into almost any regional travel itinerary.

Instead of a traditional ticketed museum or a tour that requires a lot of walking, this is a pure, unapologetic arcade experience that allows everyone in the family to play at their own pace.

Dave & Buster’s is not your average neighborhood arcade. These are sprawling, high-decibel entertainment complexes packed with hundreds of the newest arcade machines, virtual reality simulators, and classic carnival-style ticket games.

• The Variety: The game floor is split into different zones. You will find massive, multi-player racing simulators, immersive first-person shooters, and high-tech VR arenas that older kids and teens will gravitate toward.
• The Ticket Chasers: For younger kids (and competitive adults), a huge portion of the arcade is dedicated to ticket redemption games—from classic Skee-Ball and pop-a-shot basketball to massive, glowing coin pushers.
• The Winner’s Circle: All the tickets you win are stored digitally on your Power Card. At the end of your visit, your kids can take their card to the massive prize store to redeem their points for everything from cheap candy and stuffed animals to high-end electronics.

Arcades can drain a budget quickly if you aren’t careful, but Dave & Buster’s actually offers several built-in ways to stretch your dollar if you know when to go and how to buy your credits.

• Go on Wednesday (The Holy Grail Deal): If you can swing it, schedule your visit for Wednesday. Dave & Buster’s runs a massive “Half-Price Games” promotion every single Wednesday, from open to close. Every single game swipe automatically costs exactly half the normal amount of credits. It is the absolute best way to double your family’s playtime without spending an extra dime.
• Check the “Play & Eat” Combos: If you are buying cards anyway, check the front desk for their promotional Play & Eat combos. They frequently run deals where you can buy a Power Card (usually $25 or more) and get an Unlimited Game Play upgrade, which lets the kids play non-ticket/arcade video games for free without burning through their purchased credits.
• Go Early to Beat the Crowds: These locations get incredibly loud and crowded by mid-afternoon, especially during Chol Hamoed when schools are out. Plan to arrive exactly when the doors open (usually 10:00 or 11:00 AM). You will have the run of the entire game floor without having to wait in line for the most popular simulators.
• Consolidate Your Tickets: If you have multiple kids playing, ask the attendant at the Winner’s Circle to combine the digital tickets from all their individual Power Cards onto one main card at the end of the day. Consolidating points is the easiest way to afford the bigger, better prizes instead of everyone walking away with a handful of cheap plastic rings.

For a complete list of locations, visit Dave & Buster’s