By Claire Gilvar: Founder of Booked Parties

One of the amazing perks of being in my line of business is having access to the best party planning resources out there! The latest and greatest venues, vendors and products all come across my desk before they reach the masses. My lucky children tend to be the primary recipients of my vast birthday party knowledge.  So, when it was time to plan my sports-loving, rock climbing daughter’s 11^thbirthday, I immediately honed in on Spins Hudson.

If you haven’t heard of Spins Hudson, I recommend that you get acquainted with this venue immediately. It’s the largest entertainment venue on the Hudson with 40,000 square feet of intense adventure including an aerial ropes course, a two-story laser tag arena, an immersive virtual reality experience and a sprawling arcade. What’s more is that it’s in a simply gorgeous setting right on the Charles Point Marina that the adults will appreciate even if the children are distracted by the exciting activities. According to Anthony Jerussi, General Manager at Spins Hudson, “Birthday Parties at Spins Hudson are truly an unforgettable experience.  With our state of the art Indoor/Outdoor Ropes Course, epic 2 story laser tag arena and redemption arcade filled with the industries top games and Virtual Reality there is something for everyone.  Parents can join in on the fun as well or relax and enjoy the beautiful Hudson River Views from the River Outpost Brewery while our experienced party hosts take your kids and guests on an adventure they will rave about for years to come.”

The fun began as soon as we entered the venue and didn’t slow down until it disbanded! Hudson Spins’ expert, dedicated party team welcomed our 20 guests into an exclusive area specifically for our event and provided them with gift cards for use at the expansive arcade. This not only thrilled the kids, but also avoided the typical downtime that’s experienced as guests trickle into parties.

Once the entire group was assembled, the party team gave them a talk about safety and proceeded to guide them through the event. Rock climbing was first on the agenda! Spins Hudson’s outdoor/indoor ropes course is unrivaled in the Northeast. Since it was winter, our party only used the indoor ropes course, but it did not disappoint! The large aerial indoor climbing structure was “super cool,” not only by my standards, but by our discerning 11-year old guests, a notoriously tough age to impress! The venue even offered a smaller course for younger kids who were a bit intimidated by the larger course that my son and some younger guests enjoyed.

From there, we were directed to the laser tag room, which as my husband can attest, is a crowd pleaser for all ages! The entire group suited up in power vests, split into teams and began a friendly game of combat in the 5,000-square-foot, two-story arena. Boasting cosmic towers, fog, and bridges, this is no ordinary laser tag set-up.  The kids had a blast and were ready to recharge with a meal when this portion of the party was over.

While the kids devoured the pizza provided by Spins, my husband and I sampled the fare from restaurant and brewery, which was delicious! The staff served a scrumptious cookie cake that we brought in from Sugar Hi in Armonk, we sang happy birthday and blew out the candles. And, that was a wrap! For us at least – guests had the option to return to the arcade with their caretakers and finish using the gift cards they received upon entering the party!

Ultimately, two hours celebrating my daughter’s 11^thyear went by in a flash. She had an amazing time thanks to the amazing staff in this unique setting that kept the whole crowd moving non-stop! Hudson Spins certainly earned a spot on this family’s rainy and sunny day outing list!

To view Hudson Spins’ amazing party packages, visit https://www.spinshudson.com/kids-parties.