It’s not really summer if you don’t go to an amusement park with the kids at some point, right? But which one is best for your family? We rounded up our favorite amusement parks near NYC, with kiddie rides for little kids, thrill rides for bigger kids and extra fun like water parks and beaches if you need it. For more fun this season, see our list of Must-Dos for summer 2022, our guide to Coney Island this year and our picks for the best outdoor water parks near NYC.
Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement & Kiddie Park in Brooklyn
Home to the iconic Wonder Wheel, this Coney Island classic amusement park has been in business since the 1920s. (Yes, the Wonder Wheel recently celebrated 100 years.) The park is, oddly, in between the two sections of the other amusement park at Coney, Luna Park. You pay per ride here (you don’t have to pay an admission fee to get in) and while there are rides for big and little kids, the kiddie rides are more the draw. (The park did introduce a new family thrill coaster, The Phoenix, last year.) Kiddie rides are 5 tickets each. You can buy a package of 50 for $45. While people afraid of heights should probably avoid the Wonder Wheel, it’s a must-do otherwise, providing incredible views of Conney Island, the beach and beyond.
Pro-tip: Fireworks on Fridays at 9:45 p.m. start July 9th. (Weather permitting)
1025 Boardwalk
Coney Island
Nearest train stations: Stillwell Ave or W. 8th St (Aquarium station)
Mon.-Fri., 12-6 p.m.
Sat. & Sun., 12-9 p.m.
Online: denoswonderwheel.com
Luna Park
Thrilling New Yorkers for decades, Luna Park is home to the famous Coney Island Cyclone, which celebrates 95 years this summer. You can pay per ride or buy a wristband for unlimited rides here. There are plenty of tamer rides for little kids (the tiny rollercoaster is a popular choice) and lots of thrillers like the Tickler, Thunderbolt, Steeplechase, and many more. Plus two new rides coming later this season. Tony’s Express will be a family-friendly rollercoaster with over 1,200 feet of track and Leti’s Treasure will have 12 6-seater boats that will rise over 40 feet high the drop into water with a splash. Both are planned to open this summer so keep your eyes open for them. In addition to rides, you can try your luck (or skill) at many games and potentially head home with an oversized stuffie.
Check the calendar for hours, which fluctuate.
1000 Surf Ave.
Coney Island
Nearest train stations: Stillwell Ave or W. 8th St (Aquarium station)
Mon.-Fri., 12-8 p.m.
Sat., 11 a.m.-12 a.m., Sun., 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Online: lunaparknyc.com
Photo: Wai Sze Zara
Adventurers Park in Brooklyn
Is it your little one’s first time visiting an amusement park? This is a great place to ease kids into the amusement park experience. Enjoy classics like tea cups, car rides, a merry-go-round, flying planes and more. P.O.P. On weekdays, you can buy wristbands for unlimited rides between 12-3 p.m. or 4-7 p.m. You’ll also find Go Karts, miniature golf and bumper cars here. Tickets are $4, with most rides one or two tickets.
Pro-tip: Visit the L&B Spumoni Gardens (one of our favorites) nearby and grab their celebrated Sicilian square pizza.
1824 Shore Pkwy
Brooklyn
Nearest train station: Bay Parkway & 86th Street followed by a 5-minute bus ride
Mon.-Fri., Opens at noon
Sat. & Sun., Opens at 11 a.m.
718-975-2748
Online: adventurerspark.com
Photo: Wai Sze Zara
Fantasy Forest Amusement Park in Queens
Visit Queens’ only amusement park in the heart of Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. You can’t miss it: this fun zone is smack dab between Queens Zoo, the New York Hall of Science and the Playground for All Children. It’s another manageable spot with gentler rides for little kids and is a fun placer to stop before or after a day at the zoo, museum or playground. In addition to classic rides the park also has games and shows.
5351 111th St.
Queens
Nearest Train Station: 111th Street
Mon.-Fri., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Sat. & Sun., 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
631-694-6868
Online: fantasyforestnyc.com
Photo: Wai Sze Zara
Adventureland in Long Island
Distance from NYC: 30 mins.
2245 Broad Hollow Road (RT. 110)
Farmingdale
631-694-6868
Online: adventureland.us
Rye Playland
Distance from NYC: 1 hour, 30 mins.
1 Playland Pkwy.
Rye
Sun.-Thurs., 12-10 p.m., Fri. & Sat., 12-11 p.m. (Check calendar for holiday hours)
Online: playland.com
LEGOland in NY
Distance from NYC: 1 hour, 20 mins.
Bus transportation is available and departs to and from Port Authority. (Tickets are separate)
1 Legoland Way
Goshen
Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Sat. & Sun., 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Online: legoland.com
Jenkinson’s Amusement Park at Point Pleasant Beach NJ
Looking for a classic Jersey Shore experience? Head to Jenkinson’s, where you’ll find lots of beginner rides for the little kids, and thrill rides for older ones. Hop a tiny train to get around the Point Pleasant boardwalk and check out the aquarium, an Adventure Lookout Rope course, miniature golf, and much more. And of course, you can also hit the beach.
Credits start at 50 cents. Kiddie rides are 6 – 8 tickets.
Distance from NYC: 1 hour, 20 mins.
Public transportation: NJ Transit to Point Pleasant Beach, followed by a 10 min. walk to the boardwalk.
300 Ocean Ave.
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ
Daily 12-11 p.m.
Online: jenkinsons.com/amusement-park
Six Flags Great Adventure in NJ
Distance from NYC: 2 hours
1 Six Flags Dr.
Jackson Township NJ
Mon.-Fri., 10:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Sat. & Sun., 10:30 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
Wild Safari 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Online: sixflags.com
Nickelodeon Universe at American Dream Mall
Distance from NYC: 30 mins
Easy and convenient by public transportation.
1 American Dream Way
East Rutherford NJ
Mon.-Thurs., 12-8 p.m., Fri. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Sat., 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sun., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Online: americandream.com
Casino Pier in Seaside Heights NJ
Distance from NYC: 1 hour, 30 mins
800 Ocean Ter.
Seaside Heights, NJ
Mon.-Fri., 1 -11 p.m.
Sat., Noon-12 a.m., Sun., noon-11 p.m.
Online: casinopiernj.com
RELATED STORIES:
The 2022 NYC Summer Bucket List: What You Must Do with the Kids
Hot Dog! Your Guide to Visiting Coney Island with Kids
Wet & Wild: The Best Outdoor Water Parks Near NYC
