The 13 Best Amusement Parks Near NYC, Whether You’re in It for Thrills or Treats

1. Luna Park In Coney Island

• Season: April through end of October
• Distance from NYC: 30 minutes

When you think of Coney Island, the beloved Luna Park is probably the first thing that comes to mind (aside from the original Nathan’s, of course). The Brooklyn staple and NYC’s largest theme park employs over 1,200 people every summer and is home to a range of rides—some of which are over 100 years old—including the Cyclone, the Thunderbolt roller coaster, Clockworkz, the B&B Carousell, the Grand Prix and more. With three brand new rides this summer, buy an unlimited ride wristband online ($38 for children under 48” and $62 for adults) or pay-per-ride tickets as low as $3 at the park. To get there, just hop on the Q, F, D or N trains. If you just want to enjoy an Italian ice and walk the boardwalk, admission is totally free—plus, this summer, the park has introduced open air, green, pedestrian plazas that will feature food, live entertainment and a brand new beer garden for guests.

1000 Surf Ave, Brooklyn, NY

2. Fantasy Island Amusement Park

• Season: June through September 2
• Distance from NYC: 1 hour, 45 minutes

Located on Long Beach Island in Beach Haven, New Jersey, Fantasy Island boasts an impressive 18 rides, 11 boardwalk games, a giant upgraded arcade, Scoops Up Ice Cream Parlor, Shark Bites Grille and Surfside Snack Shack—in other words, plenty of fun for the whole family. What’s more? Summer specials! It’s only $30 for unlimited rides on Fridays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and $15 for kids to enjoy two hours of unlimited rides on the eight kiddie rides on weekends from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. For an extra special summer evening, make sure to stop by during Summer Fun Fest every Tuesday from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. for face painting, stilt walkers, balloon artists, jugglers and caricature artists!

750 N Bay Ave, Beach Haven, NJ

3. Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park

• Season: year-round
• Distance from NYC: 1 hour, 15 minutes

If you (and your little ones) like slime, roller coasters and the kooky casts of your favorite Nickelodeon shows, this one’s a must-visit. This year-round, indoor theme park—the largest indoor theme park in the Western Hemisphere—is located in New Jersey’s American Dream Mall and boasts a whopping 35 rides, attractions and experiences for kids of all ages. Say hi to SpongeBob, Dora the Explorer, PAW Patrol’s Chase and more in between trips to the Shredder, Aang’s Air Gliders, Blue’s Skidoo, the Shellraiser and the Skyline Scream. While kids under 2 get into the park for free, any chaperone, regardless of whether or not they’re riding the rides, will need an entry ticket, which ranges between $39 and $89. Want more fun while you’re there? Check out DreamWorks Water Park next door.

1 American Dream Wy, East Rutherford, NJ

4. Six Flags Great Adventure

• Season: April through December 31
• Distance from NYC: 1 hour, 30 minutes

With 14 world-class coasters, a zoo boasting 1,200 animals and 100 rides, not to mention countless shows, special events and themed areas, Six Flags Great Adventure truly has it all. Starting at $45 for an all-day pass, this spot offers great bang for your buck with plenty of grub, games and things to do and see in the expansive, walkable park situated between NYC and Philadelphia. If you want something extra special, take your family to the Wild Safari Drive-Thru Adventure for an additional charge—you can thank us later. If you’re not driving to the park, you can also take the Northeast Corridor PATH train to the Six Flags Great Adventure bus, which takes just about as long as it does to drive. Note that only credit cards are accepted inside of the park, including for parking, though there are cash-to-card devices inside the park.

1 Six Flags Blvd, Jackson Township, NJ

5. Morey's Piers & Beachfront Water Parks

• Season: April through October 10
• Distance from NYC: 2 hours, 30 minutes

Open for over 50 years, Morey’s is home to three amusement piers and two luxurious beachfront water parks in Wildwood, New Jersey, just 2.5 hours south of NYC. With thrilling, extreme, kiddie and family rides, there’s something for everyone, and plenty of splashes and summer bites to go around, although these parks do tend to be on the more expensive side. Located on the Jersey Shore, the two water parks, Ocean Oasis Water Park & Beach Club and Raging Waters, offer two experiences sure to fit the bill: one more upscale, and the latter for the more adventurous guest. If you’re traveling a decent distance, be sure to look into staying at one of their associated hotels, motels and resorts. In case you need more convincing, the parks have been recognized for their world-class commitment to safety and guest service, and run almost entirely on solar power.

3501 Boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ

6. Urban Air Adventure Park

• Season: year-round
• Distance from NYC: 30 to 45 minutes, depending on location

With three New Jersey locations in South Hackensack, Avenel and Milltown, plus a Brooklyn location set to open by the end of the summer, these trampoline adventure parks are great for birthday parties, field trips or just a regular old Saturday. Enjoy laser tag, climbing walls, indoor skydiving, go-karts, bowling, mini golf, warrior obstacle courses, countless trampolines, dodgeball, an arcade, a ropes course and so much more, all for under $40. And if you can believe it, parents jump for half price! Each location is under an hour drive from NYC, but you can also take a quick trip via the bus or the PATH trains. So, round up the troops and get jumping at this active amusement park.

7. Playland

• Season: June through end of September
• Distance from NYC: 45 minutes

Rye’s Playland has been one of the most iconic amusement parks in the country since it opened in 1928. Ride the historic Dragon Coaster, take a stroll down the boardwalk, or simply enjoy the shores of the Long Island Sound’s National Historic Landmark and its glorious 280 acres. Younger kids might enjoy magical story time with a princess or getting down to some music, so check out the Playland calendar before you head to the park. Love fireworks? Stop by every Friday night through Labor Day for a spectacular show in the sky. Take the Metro North from Manhattan (and bundle your MTA ticket with your park ticket for a discount), and purchase tickets online for a cheaper price, with a special local discount for Westchester County residents. And if you think Playland looks familiar, it could’ve been from the 1988 Tom Hanks hit Big or Mariah Carey’s “Fantasy” music video.

1 Playland Pkwy, Rye, NY

8. Adventureland

• Season: March through end of October
• Distance from NYC: 1 hour

Hop on the LIRR or take a quick drive through Long Island to your new favorite adventure spot: Adventureland! With a range of kid-friendly rides, big thrills and water rides—like the Tea Cups, the FireBall, the Turbulence, the Frisbee, the Mystery Mansion and the Little Dipper Water Ride, just to name a few—the 30 rides and attractions are sure to please the whole family. Have your Dippin’ Dots, pretzels, funnel cakes or burgers inside or outside, or opt to spend the day in the air-conditioned arcade. (We don’t blame you.) Save $5 by purchasing tickets in advance online, as everyone who enters the park will need an admission ticket, starting at $37. Adventureland also gives back to the Long Island community with Adventureland’s Helping Hands Foundation, a non-profit that supports local students and charities with scholarships and donations to create a better Long Island for all.

2245 Broadhollow Rd, Farmingdale, NY

11. Field Station: Dinosaurs

• Season: May through November 13
• Distance from NYC: 30 minutes

This one’s for the little guys and the Jurassic Park lovers. Field Station: Dinosaurs is the world-class paleontological expedition in Bergen County’s Overpeck County Park that’s full of shows, games, surprise parties and interactive dinosaurs—all included in the price of admission. Walk through the scenic trails in the wooded park along the Overpeck Creek and keep your eyes peeled for the 30+ life-size, hand-sculpted, moving (and roaring), realistic dinosaurs created by the world’s leading roboticists and paleo-artists. Open all summer Tuesdays through Sundays, this educational adventure is one your kiddos won’t soon forget. For public transit, take the 182 Bus (towards Hackensack), and don’t forget to say hi to the 15-foot T-Rex, the baby Hadrosaurus and its dino wranglers, and their newest dinosaur, the Toddlersaurus!

3 Overpeck Pk Driveway, Leonia, NJ