Taking a trip to Seaside Heights isn’t complete without a stop at Casino Pier, the iconic boardwalk amusement space that survived two damaging events—Hurricane Sandy in 2012 (who can forget the photos of the Jet Star roller coaster floating in the Atlantic) and a fire on the boardwalk in 2013. Since then, Casino Pier has come back stronger and better with thrilling rides, two miniature golf courses, food stands, boardwalk games, and five arcades, chock full of non-stop entertainment that’s sure to please kids of all ages (even adults). And with Breakwater Beach Waterpark directly across the street, the fun can go on and on until the wee hours (read: sunset for families). Scroll down for what to do at Casino Pier, and don’t miss our guide to boardwalks at the shore. (featured photo credit: Escape Visuals)
Where To Find Family Fun At Casino Pier
Hop on the rides
Did someone say boardwalk rides? When it comes to fun on the boards, getting on the rides is a must, and Casino Pier totally delivers. You’ll find tame options for littles, moderate ones for bigger kids, and lots of thrills for the adventurous peeps in your crew. For the younger kids, hop aboard the Boats, Car Combo, and Pony Carts, where tots can ride solo and feel super independent. Older ages can choose from Bumper Cars, where you can crash into each other, Airplanes that soar in the sky, Dizzy Dragons that spin in circles, and even the infamous Ferris Wheel, where the entire beach can be seen from the highest point. If you have thrill seekers with you, then hold on and be prepared to scream on rides including the Centrifuge, which is an indoor scrambler that suspends riders in spinning cars, Crazy Cars, where you will spin all around on an angled motion-based platform, Hot Tamales that will have you dropping, twisting, and turning and Disk’o where you will experience spinning and swinging back and forth at the same time. Don’t miss the brand-new funhouse called Fun Factory featuring 3 floors of fun and optical illusions suitable for guests 42 inches and above.
Swing by the games, arcade, or mini-golf
If you are a family that likes a challenge, Casino Pier has all the classic boardwalk games, like basketball, balloon toss, and Frog Big, where you can test your skills and try to win a prize. If video games and pinball are more your kids’ speed, take a spin through the arcade located at Casino Pier. Teens and adults can find a whole new world at Omni Arena, where they can find a challenge in Virtual Reality games. After all the excitement, why not make your way to Mini Golf Adventure for two different courses to play? Smuggler’s Quay Adventure takes you on a pirate adventure through mountain caves, legendary exploits, and more. Or, you can take your swing at Wacky Rooftop Golf, which is your classic miniature golf vibe and is sure to be fun for the whole family.
Grab something savory or sweet
No trip to Casino Pier is complete without stopping by the food for some mouth-watering choices. (And trust us, there are so many yummy things to try). Pop into the Pier Grill for the best pizza in Seaside Heights, grab a quick snack at Pier Snacks before hopping on your next ride, try some Roasted Corn at the stand, or cool off with waffles and ice cream. And for adult beverages, Tradewinds Bar is the place for tropical cocktails as you overlook the waterpark. Pizza lovers should try entering the Casino Pier Whole Pie Eaters League, where participants finish a whole pie in one sitting in half an hour or less and win an exclusive t-shirt and a 2-hour ride wristband.
Beat the heat at the waterpark
Are you ready to beat the heat and enjoy a day in the water? Casino Pier’s Breakwater Beach Waterpark is a great way to cool off with the whole family. All ages will love splashing around the interactive Perfect Storm with dump buckets and slides or getting on a tube on the rapids of the Revolutionary Wild River. The more daring tube riders will want to go on the Boston Sea Party, with its two separate flumes that are both thrilling and exciting to slide down. Next, take a dip in The Harbor, an oversized wave pool with breaking waves. Other thrilling slides include the mat racer slides on Patriot’s Plunge, the free fall on Salem’s Scream…Oh My Cod, or the Two If By Sea double rider flume. When it’s time to take a break, book a cabana for the family and step into the Plymouth Rock Hot Tub Springs before ending your day.
Catch a special event
Did you know that Casino Pier is more than rides and food? (Although, let’s face it, those are at the top of our list.) There are a bunch of FREE special events on the boardwalk that heat up in the summer. From Family Fun Nights with a DJ and Night Slides at the Waterpark and shows like Cirque-Tacular and an Animal Show to character meet-and-greets and Princess sing-a-longs, your family can find a ton of fun just by hitting the boards.
What to know before you go
Rates for Casino Pier are available in two ways: buying individual credits or package admissions. Credits start at $1 and offer discounts depending on how many you buy. Packages provide a two-hour wristband for unlimited rides starting at $40, or try the “Xtreme Pack,” which includes the SkyCoaster, Shore Shot, or the Triple Play, which gives you access to those rides, along with Breakwater Beach, the Go-Karts, and the 18-hole Golf. There are several ATMs located inside the Casino Arcade as well as outside the main ticket booths on the ride pier for your convenience. Make sure you bring your own towels to the waterpark or be ready to purchase one from the Gift Shop. You can rent lockers for your personal items while you enjoy the waterpark.
For more information about Casino Pier, check out its website, Instagram, and Facebook pages
Casino Pier
800 Ocean Terrace
Seaside Park, NJ 08752
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