Greenberg family with a Giant Robot.
Ever wonder what happens when you try to play mini golf in space? Well, it likely would be almost impossible without gravity to keep the ball from floating away. But the American Dream’s Blacklight Mini Golf offers an alternative that gives you the feeling of playing in space without the hassle of worrying about lack of oxygen. My wife, Ahuva, and I, along with our baby Koby, ventured into the deep cosmos of Blacklight Mini Golf for a fun-filled date and managed to travel back to tell the tale.
Finding an activity to do with a baby can be challenging. Ahuva and I have tried theme parks like Disney, Legoland and Hersheypark, and while it is nice to be outside and walk around, it can be tough when you want to go on rides but someone has to stay back with the baby, so you can’t enjoy it together. Mini golf, on the other hand, has proven to be one of the simplest ways to go on a date with a baby. At each hole, Ahuva and I just switched off holding Koby while the other took their shot.
Blacklight Spinner
In contrast to typical mini golf courses that hand out a pen and paper to keep score, Blacklight uses a digital system where players scan a QR card at the front desk to track everything on their phone. It felt modern and convenient, especially while juggling a baby. After checking in, Ahuva and I picked out our putters and stepped inside, excited to see what the course looked like.
Stepping inside, the course immediately reminded me of Monster Mini Golf in Paramus (see issue number #450). The atmosphere was very dark, using phosphorescent lights to create a glow in the dark effect on light colors painted on the walls, course and even our clothes.
Sweet life of Zack and Koby.
I thought it was a great choice since outer space naturally fascinates a younger audience and creates an exciting backdrop that works well with the fluorescent color scheme. Walls were decorated with astronauts, planets and meteors, which added to the whole experience. Music themed around space, like the Star Wars soundtrack, Katy Perry’s hit “E.T.,” and David Bowie’s classic song “Space Oddity,” played throughout the room and created a fun and energetic atmosphere as we made our way through the course.
Each hole was themed to space and came with its own challenge. The first hole featured a rocketship where you could hit the ball up a ramp that went underneath it or take a safer path around. Some of the barriers on that hole had Mars artwork on them and looked really cool. The third hole included an astronaut statue holding an American flag, which added a fun touch to the theme. Hole six stood out thanks to a spin wheel that added an extra layer of excitement. The wheel could give you an advantage, make things harder or do nothing at all. I spun and landed on normal, but Ahuva got the option that let her stand anywhere she wanted to act as an obstacle for me, and that turned into my toughest hole of the day.
Zack and Koby posing.
The rest of the course kept the space theme going with plenty of creative setups. Some holes had bridges you had to hit under or over, while others featured alien creatures, space robots and even a giant UFO ramp that sent the ball flying. My biggest highlight came on a hole with another spin wheel where I had to putt blindfolded. To make things even harder, Ahuva spun the option that let her move my ball anywhere she wanted after my first shot, yet somehow I still managed to sink a hole in one with my eyes closed. The final hole ended with a skeeball style setup featuring a terrifying Xenomorph from the 1979 film “Alien” guarding the main center hole. I didn’t hit the center, but I managed to land my shot in the inner scoring circle around it. Ahuva’s ball landed in the circle outside mine, which was worth fewer points, and that gave me the win by a single point!
After our game, we bumped into another Bergenfield family, Cobi Friedman and his family, who were also playing, and we chatted with them for a bit. It is always fun running into people you know or meeting new families at the American Dream Mall. So many Jewish families visit there, and more kosher restaurants keep opening, including Frish Grill which opened in the past few weeks and I heard is excellent.
Final Hole with the Friedmans.
If you enjoy mini golf, Blacklight is definitely a great option to try. It is a relatively short activity, so I would recommend pairing it with something else at the mall, whether that is grabbing food or checking out another attraction. The Mirror Maze is right next door, and SEA LIFE New Jersey Aquarium, Activate, LEGOLAND Discovery Center and Blast7D are all close by. Mini golf may not take up your whole day, but the space theme, glowing visuals and playful atmosphere make it an out of this world experience that is worth checking out!
Admission: $20 general, $18 seniors (65+), children under 2 free, Out Of This World Pass $28, which includes both Blacklight Mini Golf and Mirror Maze per person.
Hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Located: American Dream, Court A, Level 1
Rocket Man
Zachary Greenberg has been an avid reader of The Jewish Link since 2015 and a member of the staff since February 2022. Beyond writing for The Link, Zachary is the HRIS analyst at the Orthodox Union, director of the Keter Torah teen minyan for boys and the TABC track coach. Zack does not know how to ice skate or roller skate. But he did recently watch the new Jonas Brothers movie on Disney+. Please email him at [email protected] if you have any activity suggestions. Be sure to follow his Instagram page @funzacktivities for more content!
