24 Great Amusement Parks & Theme Parks for Kids In and Around NYC
Nothing says summer quite like the thrill of roller coasters, the scent of cotton candy in the air, and the memories that are made each summer from spending time with the family at an amusement park. Fortunately for us New Yorkers, we’re surrounded by a variety of fantastic parks, both in the city and just a short drive away. Whether you’re in the mood for classic boardwalk fun, exciting rides, or a day at the water park, there are plenty of great spots nearby for a fun day out.
Click on a region to jump to those parks:
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New York
Adventureland
2245 Broadhollow Rd, Farmingdale, NY
No matter what kind of experience you are looking to get when visiting a park, Adventureland has it all. From kiddie rides to thrill rides, there are many attractions for families to choose from. If you’re looking to beat the summer heat while you visit, try out some of the water rides or spend the afternoon in the arcade.
Adventurer’s Park
1824 Shore Parkway, Bensonhurst, Brooklyn
Adventurer’s Park offers a variety of classic amusement park attractions for the whole family to enjoy. With fun rides, games, and seasonal entertainment, it’s a great spot for a day of excitement without leaving the city.
Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park
3059 W 12th St, Brooklyn
If you are looking for an amusement park that isn’t too far, head over the Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park. There are many kids’ rides that will keep the little ones occupied for hours, and of course, it wouldn’t be a day at Deno’s without riding the world-famous Deno’s Wonder Wheel.
Fantasy Forest at the Flushing Meadows Carousel
111th Street and 55th Avenue, Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Queens
One roller coaster, family rides and games, and a carousel are right in the heart of Queens. Don’t miss the great family-friendly performances throughout the summer as well, every weekend, pretty much every Sunday, at Flushing Meadows. The carousel was brought to Coney Island in 1964 for the World’s Fair and is the only ride left from the World’s Fair in Queens.
Legoland New York
One Legoland Blvd, Goshen, NY
If your kids are interested in all things Legos, a trip to Legoland New York may be in order. This themed amusement park has everything you could ask for and more, with several themed attractions and shows. If you’re looking to make a weekend out of it, you can also stay in their fun Lego Hotel.
Luna Park
1000 Surf Ave., Brooklyn, NY
You can’t spend a summer in NYC without spending a day at Luna Park! Not only do they have a ton of rides for families to try, but there is also a great food selection along the famous boardwalk to add a little extra sweetness to your day out. Plus, you can grab a Nathan’s hot dog after the fun is done
Playland
1 Playland Pkwy, Rye, NY
This fun amusement park has been welcoming families since 1928 and continues to be a popular destination during the season. The great thing about Playland is that families can come and try out all of the attractions and rides and then plan a beach day at the Playland pool and beach.
Sylvan Beach Amusement Park
112 Bridge St., Sylvan Beach, NY
Set on the shores of Oneida Lake, this historic amusement park offers a variety of rides and games for visitors of all ages. With its vintage charm and family-friendly atmosphere, it’s a fun destination for a classic summer outing.
New Jersey
Diggerland
100 Pinedge Dr., West Berlin, NJ 08091
Diggerland is a construction-themed amusement park featuring over 40 rides and attractions designed for kids of all ages. With both dry and water-based experiences, it’s a unique destination that blends fun with hands-on adventure for the whole family.
Fantasy Island Park
750 N. Bay Ave., Beach Haven, NJ
This Long Beach Island amusement park boasts 18 amusement rides, games of all types, an arcade, food, a classic carousel, private parties and more. Located in the heart of Beach Haven, attractions include Skee-Ball, a spinning roller coaster, Tilt-A-Whirl, Ferris Wheel, and more.
Field Station Dinosaurs
3 Overpeck Pk Driveway, Leonia, NJ
Take the 9-minute trip from NYC and enter a natural oasis featuring more than 30 life-sized, realistic-looking animatronic dinosaurs (including the largest ever made). The exhibition encompasses the latest theories and discoveries in the fields of paleontology, geology, and environmental studies. Participate in more than 40 live shows, games, and workshops. At the Paleontology Lab, kids get a book and can dig for fossils like a paleontologist, and dig for fossils at the big site.
Jenkinsons Boardwalk
300 Ocean Ave., Point Pleasant Beach, NJ
This beachside amusement park and boardwalk features several rides, arcades, and attractions for small children to teens. An adjacent aquarium provides extra educational fun. The park also hosts special events.
Keansburg Amusement Park and Runaway Rapids Waterpark
275 Beachway Ave., Keansburg, NJ
This park features dozens of rides for kids and teens, a water park with a lazy river and more than 19 slides with varying speeds, and plenty of rides designed for smaller children, including a kids’ lagoon area. Attractions include body slides, a looping roller coaster, a wave swinger, bumper karts, a haunted manor, and the chance to swim with a live mermaid.
Land of Make Believe
354 Great Meadows Road, Route 611, Hope, NJ
Thrill rides and water rides rule at the 30-acre Land of Make Believe, with its free-fall ride, Pirate’s Cannonball, and rocking tugboat ride, along with Blackbeard’s Pirate Fort. The park is designed specifically for parents to participate with their children.
Morey’s Piers spans more than 18 acres along six beach blocks. It includes three piers and two beachfront water parks: the Adventure Pier, which features coasters, thrill rides, and a raceway; the Surfside Pier, with kiddie and family rides; the Mariner’s Landing Pier, where you can ride traditional rides such as the Ferris wheel and teacups, play in the arcade, and enjoy Boardwalk treats; the Raging Waters waterpark, with kiddie play areas, water slides, and activity pools; and the Oasis Waterpark + Beach Club, which features more water rides for kids and adults.
Nickelodeon Universe at American Dream
1 American Dream Wy, East Rutherford, NJ 07073
This one-of-a-kind experience is located inside American Dream and is sure to make your summer more memorable. The Nickelodeon Universe theme park is one of the biggest indoor parks in the Western Hemisphere and has record-breaking rides that guests can try.
Playland Castaway Cove
1020 Boardwalk, Ocean City, NJ
On this Ocean City boardwalk, you’ll find thrill rides, pirate golf, go-karts, an arcade, kids’ rides and food concession stands.
Six Flags Great Adventure
1 Six Flags Blvd, Jackson Township, NJ
With new attractions every season, Six Flags Great Adventure is the perfect place for families to spend the summer! From amazing rides and great food to their Wild Safari Drive-Thru Adventure, there is something for everyone to do during their visit.
Wild West City
50 Lackawanna Drive, Stanhope, NJ
Watch the best of the Wild West come to life in a real Western town. Enjoy live-action shows all day long on the outdoor Main Street. Get a bird’s eye view of the town on the Stage Coach, hop aboard the train, deep into outlaw territory and for younger buckaroos ride a pony. Explore the town’s shops and museums, which replicate the historic 1880s town of Dodge City, Kansas.
Pennsylvania
Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom
4000 Dorney Park Road, Allentown, PA
This park features rollercoasters and water rides, including Steel Force, the longest steel roller coaster on the East Coast, and HYDRA, the first and only floorless coaster in Pennsylvania. Play in the waterpark, which features three levels of water games and the 70-foot-tall Lighting Falls water slide.
Dutch Wonderland
2249 Lincoln Highway E., Lancaster, PA
Designed for families with young children, this park features 37 kiddie and family rides, including two kid-friendly coasters, bumper cars, a merry-go-round, and more. Duke’s Lagoon features water slides, splash zones, and lounge areas.
Hersheypark
100 Hersheypark Dr, Hershey, PA
Everyone knows Hershey from their delicious chocolate treats, but have you ever taken a trip to their iconic amusement park? Hersheypark has a wide variety of rides and games for families to try, as well as great restaurants where you can get some delicious food and sweet treats. Make sure to check out their waterpark during your visit.
Knoebels Amusement Resort
391 Knoebels Blvd., Elysburg
Take a dip in the 900,000-gallon Crystal Pool that includes waterslides, diving boards, and a play area for young children. You can stay overnight at one of two campgrounds or one of their cottages. In addition to more than 60 rides, visitors can also play a round of golf at Knoebels Three Ponds Golf Club.
Sesame Place
100 Sesame Rd, Langhorne, PA 19047
Spend the day with some of your kids’ favorite TV characters at Sesame Place. This amusement park has family-friendly rides and water attractions that kids as young as 2 years old can enjoy! The park also offered live Sesame Street shows, meet and greets and hosts a wide variety of events throughout the season.
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