You don’t have to travel far to find an incredible rollercoaster as a New York resident. If you are looking for a great adventure, check out 14 Amusement parks in New York State that you can take your kids to this year.
As families and thrill-seekers plan their escapades, the quest for the perfect park intertwines with the exploration of unique rides, family-friendly entertainment, and captivating attractions.
New York Theme Park Adventures
Whether you are seeking roller coaster thrills, water rides, live shows, family-friendly attractions, or immersive experiences, there is something for everyone. Here are ten amusement parks in New York state. Please note that details such as addresses, hours of operation, and descriptions are subject to change, so it’s advisable to check the official websites for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Coney Island Luna Park
- Address: 1000 Surf Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11224
- Hours of Operation: Varies by season, check the official website.
- Description: Coney Island Luna Park is a historic amusement park located on the iconic Coney Island boardwalk. It offers a mix of classic and modern rides, including roller coasters, Ferris wheels, and water attractions. The park is known for its vibrant atmosphere and family-friendly entertainment.
- Known For: Historic Boardwalk Setting
- Popular Rides: Cyclone (historic wooden roller coaster), Thunderbolt, Luna 360
- Food Choices: Nathan’s Famous hot dogs, boardwalk-style treats, and diverse cuisine options.
Adventureland
- Hours of Operation: Varies by season; check the official website.
- Address: 2245 Broad Hollow Road, Farmingdale, NY 11735
- Description: Adventureland is a Long Island amusement park offering a variety of rides, games, and attractions for all ages. The park includes classic rides, water attractions, and family-friendly entertainment.
- Known For: Family-Owned Atmosphere
- Popular Rides: Turbulence, Lady Bug Coaster, Adventure Falls
- Food Choices: Classic amusement park treats, ice cream, and a variety of snacks.
- Darien Lake Theme Park Resort
- Address: 9993 Allegheny Road, Darien Center, NY 14040
- Hours of Operation: Varies by season, check the official website.
- Description: Darien Lake is a resort and theme park with a variety of rides, water attractions, and live entertainment. The park also features a campground, lodging options, and special events throughout the season.
- Known For: Resort Experience
- Popular Rides: Ride of Steel, Predator, Mind Eraser
- Food Choices: Darien Lake offers a range of dining options, including casual dining, fast food, and snacks.
Playland Park
- Address: 1 Playland Parkway, Rye, NY 10580
- Hours of Operation: Varies by season, check the official website.
- Description: Playland Park is an iconic amusement park located on the Long Island Sound. It offers a mix of classic rides, a beach, and a boardwalk. The park is known for its historic Dragon Coaster and family-friendly atmosphere.
- Known For: Seaside Location
- Popular Rides: Dragon Coaster, Mind Scrambler, Super Flight – great for young children
- Food Choices: Classic boardwalk food, ice cream, and a variety of snacks.
Fantasy Island
- Address: 2400 Grand Island Blvd, Grand Island, NY 14072
- Hours of Operation: Varies by season, check the official website.
- Description: Fantasy Island is a family-friendly amusement park featuring a variety of rides, water attractions, and live entertainment. The park is located on Grand Island and provides a mix of classic and modern amusements.
- Known For: Family-Friendly Atmosphere
- Popular Rides: Silver Comet, Mind Warp, Silver Bullet, bumper cars
- Food Choices: Amusement park classics, family-friendly dining options.
Enchanted Forest Water Safari
- Address: 3183 State Route 28, Old Forge, NY 13420
- Hours of Operation: Varies by season, check the official website.
- Description: Enchanted Forest Water Safari is New York’s largest water theme park. Located in the Adirondacks, it features water slides, wave pools, and a variety of water attractions suitable for all ages.
- Known For: Largest Water Theme Park in New York
- Popular Rides: Serengeti Surf Hill, Killermanjaro’s Revenge, Curse of the Silverback as well as many more water rides
- Food Choices: Water park snacks, casual dining options for the whole family.
The Great Escape & Hurricane Harbor
- Address: 89 Six Flags Drive, Queensbury, NY 12804
- Hours of Operation: Varies by season, check the official website.
- Description: The Great Escape offers a combination of amusement park rides and a water park (Hurricane Harbor). The park features a mix of family-friendly rides, thrill rides, and water attractions.
- Known For: Combination of Theme Park and Water Park. Live shows and many gift shops.
- Popular Rides: Comet, Sasquatch, Steamin’ Demon
- Food Choices: Theme park classics, international cuisine, and water park snacks.
Seabreeze Amusement Park
- Address: 4600 Culver Road, Rochester, NY 14622
- Hours of Operation: Varies by season, check the official website.
- Description: Seabreeze is a historic amusement park on Lake Ontario, offering a variety of rides, water attractions, and live entertainment. The park is known for its classic wooden roller coaster, the Jack Rabbit.
- Known For: Historic Wooden Roller Coaster
- Popular Rides: Jack Rabbit, Bobsleds, Whirlwind
- Food Choices: Classic amusement park fare, ice cream, and various snacks.
Splish Splash Water Park
- Address: 2549 Splish Splash Drive, Calverton, NY 11933
- Hours of Operation: Varies by season, check the official website.
- Description: Splish Splash is a water park on Long Island, featuring a wide range of water slides, wave pools, and lazy rivers. It’s a popular destination for families seeking water-based attractions.
- Known For: Extensive Water Slide Variety, wave pool, rumors of building an indoor waterpark
- Popular Rides: Bootlegger’s Run, Riptide Racer, Dr. Von Dark’s Tunnel of Terror
- Food Choices: Water park snacks, casual dining options.
Rye Playland
- Address: Playland Parkway, Rye, NY 10580
- Hours of Operation: Varies by season, check the official website.
- Description: Rye Playland is a historic amusement park located on the Long Island Sound. Known as America’s first amusement park, it offers a mix of classic rides, a beach, boardwalk, and family-friendly attractions.
- Known For: Historic Amusement Park
- Popular Rides: Dragon Coaster, Derby Racer, Ye Old Mill
- Food Choices: Classic boardwalk snacks, cotton candy, and a mix of international
Hoffman’s Playland
- Address: 608 Loudon Road, Latham, NY 12110
- Hours of Operation: Varies by season, check the official website.
- Description: Hoffman’s Playland is a family-owned amusement park featuring a variety of rides, games, and attractions. It’s known for its nostalgic charm and has been a favorite destination for generations of families.
- Known For: Nostalgic Charm
- Popular Rides: Ferris Wheel, Carousel, Helicopters
- Food Choices: Traditional amusement park fare, ice cream, and nostalgic treats.
Zoom Flume Water Park
- Address: 20 Shady Glen Road, East Durham, NY 12423
- Hours of Operation: Varies by season, check the official website.
- Description: Zoom Flume is a water park located in the Catskill Mountains, offering a range of water attractions, slides, and a lazy river. It’s a popular destination for families seeking a refreshing water park experience.
- Known For: Family Water Park Experience
- Popular Rides: Wild River, Black Vortex, Typhoon Twister
- Food Choices: Water park snacks, casual dining options, and refreshing beverages.
LEGOLAND New York Resort:
- Location: 1 LEGOLAND Boulevard, Goshen, NY 10924
- Hours of Operation: Varies by season; check the official website for current hours.
- Description: LEGOLAND New York Resort is a theme park specifically designed for families with children aged 2-12. It features a variety of LEGO-themed rides, attractions, and shows, all set in a colorful and imaginative environment. The park is divided into several themed areas, including LEGO NINJAGO World, LEGO Castle, and LEGO City. Visitors can expect an immersive experience with LEGO models, interactive exhibits, and the opportunity to build and play with LEGO bricks throughout the park.
Popular Rides:
- The Dragon: A family-friendly roller coaster that weaves through the LEGO Castle.
- LEGO NINJAGO The Ride: An interactive dark ride where guests use hand gestures to defeat virtual enemies.
- LEGO City Deep Sea Adventure: A submarine ride that takes guests on an underwater journey to discover LEGO marine life.
Food Choices:
- LEGOLAND New York offers a variety of dining options throughout the park, including:
- Brick House BBQ: A barbecue restaurant with a LEGO twist.
- Granny’s Apple Fries: Serving a sweet and unique snack made from apples.
- Pirate’s Pantry: Offering a selection of hearty meals with a pirate theme.
Why is it important to take a family vacation with your children?
Taking a vacation filled with family-friendly fun is crucial for fostering strong bonds, creating cherished memories, and promoting holistic development. What better place to visit than theme parks filled with kiddie rides made just for little ones? These shared experiences contribute to the emotional well-being of both parents and children, as the time spent together in a new environment strengthens family connections.
Family vacations provide a break from routine, offering an opportunity for relaxation and rejuvenation. Moreover, exploring new destinations exposes children to diverse cultures, traditions, and landscapes, broadening their perspectives and fostering a sense of curiosity. The challenges and joys of travel teach valuable life skills such as adaptability, problem-solving, and interpersonal communication. Ultimately, family vacations serve as a foundation for building a positive family identity, instilling a sense of unity and shared adventure that can be carried forward into daily life. It is the perfect place to build lasting bonds.
When should you plan your next family vacation?
The ideal time to plan your next family vacation depends on various factors, including personal preferences, work schedules, and school calendars. You don’t have to wait for Memorial Day weekend if you are a local NY resident. Most of these locations are a few hours away from the city. Still, here are a few considerations to help you determine when to plan your next great adventure:
- School Breaks:
- If you have school-aged children, planning vacations during school breaks, such as summer, winter holidays, or spring break, can be convenient. This ensures that your children won’t miss classes, and the whole family can enjoy an extended trip without worrying about academic commitments.
- Work Schedules:
- Consider the work schedules of all family members. Plan vacations during periods when everyone can take time off or when workloads are typically lighter. This may involve coordinating with employers and colleagues to ensure a smooth absence from work.
- Weather and Destination:
- Depending on your preferred destination, consider the weather conditions. Some locations are best visited during specific seasons. For example, beach destinations might be more enjoyable in the summer, while winter resorts are suitable for colder months.
- Special Occasions:
- Consider planning your family vacation around special occasions, such as birthdays or anniversaries. Celebrating milestones during a trip can make the experience even more memorable.
- Budget Planning:
- Plan your vacation at a time when you can comfortably manage the associated expenses. This may involve saving up for the trip or taking advantage of off-peak travel times when accommodations and activities may be more affordable.
Ultimately, the best time for your next family vacation is when it aligns with your family’s priorities, availability, and preferences. The vast majority of families tend to go away during the summer season. If this works best for you, stick to the plan that you know. Just remember, the top amusement parks are usually open year-round. Crowds will be smaller while school is still in session. A summer adventure is always easier, but it might be pricier and more crowded.
The state of New York is just a wonderful place to live! Thanks to all the New York Amusement parks listed above, there are various rides. You don’t have to choose a big amusement park either! There is a perfect size waiting for your style. Start mapping out which family-friendly ride you want to go on first, and craft a plan of all the best things this state offers. If you like the park enough, maybe you can get a season pass!