A warm summer night at an NJ amusement park with your kiddos perched atop a Ferris wheel, snackin’ on some funnel cake—does it get any better? This summer is prime season for trips to the amusement park, and our state has thrilling options (including some of the world’s tallest and fastest roller coasters) for every age. Whether it’s screaming at the top of your lungs on a coaster or taking a tame spin with your toddler, NJ amusement parks have it all. Scroll down to find one that fits your family, and if you want thrills wet, these waterparks in NJ will not disappoint. (featured photo credit: American Dream – Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park)

Get ready to ride at one of NJ’s amusement parks

Six Flags Great Adventure

Six Flags Great Adventure is Jersey’s biggest theme park, with a ton of rides, a safari, and a water park. Since the 1970s, the park has been upping the thrills for all those adrenaline-seekers with new coasters and attractions, including the Jersey Devil, one the world’s tallest, fastest, and longest single-ride coasters. Beyond the incredible thrills, there’s also plenty to do for little ones with kiddie rides, Looney Tunes character shows, an arcade, and family rides that you can all do together. On a hot day, head to Hurricane Harbor for tons of slides and splashes to kick back and cool off.
1 Six Flags Blvd. Jackson, NJ 08527

Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park

Step into the biggest indoor theme park in the Western Hemisphere with some of the world’s steepest, tallest, and longest rides. Your little ones will love Blaze’s Monster Truck Rally, Pup Pup and Away! and Shimmer and Shine’s Jumping Genies ride at Nickelodeon Universe. Check out the Rugrats Reptar Go-Round, SpongeBob’s Jellyfish Jam, or the Bikini Bottom Crosstown Express for family-friendly rides. Got thrill seekers? Make a beeline for the Skyline Scream, The Shredder, and Aang’s Air Gliders to take their excitement to the next level. And if you are lucky, you might even meet your favorite characters like Blue’s Clues, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and SpongeBob Squarepants while exploring the park.
1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, NJ 07073

DreamWorks Water Park

Experience the largest indoor waterpark in North America at American Dream in East Rutherford. Enjoy summer all year long inside an 81-degree tropical climate. Freefall down the Jungle Jammer, or take a ride down the Mad Flush slide if you are feeling brave. The Kungfu Panda Temple of Awesomeness is the perfect multi-level play structure to keep pint-sized family members entertained with geysers, dump cups, and the enormous tipping bucket in the world (yes, the world!). If your kiddo would rather hang ten, there is a place for private surf sessions or boogie board in 1.6 million gallons of water in the world’s biggest indoor wave pool at Skudin Surf.
1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, NJ 07073

Morey’s Piers

Morey’s Piers is three piers along the Wildwood boardwalk packed with rides and amusements in each one. This park is a perennial favorite (dating back to 1969) and one of the shore’s biggest and best boardwalk amusement parks. Morey’s has a bit of everything, from the petite boats, planes, and kid-sized race cars the littles love to a 140-foot drop tower that gets the big kids’ hearts pounding. For some wet and wild fun in the sun, check out Morey’s two water parks—Ocean Oasis Water Park and Beach Club and Raging Waters Water Park.
3501 Boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ 08260

iPlay America

iPlay America is a large indoor amusement park in New Jersey featuring a different experience of thrills and fun. With all kinds of rides (even a roller coaster), laser tag, Ballocity, go-karts, and carnival-inspired games, a visit here will be a day to remember. Take on your kiddos in a game of whac-a-mole or swing in a Top Golf Swing Suite before a round of mini-bowling and some pizza or sweets at one of iPlay’s restaurant options.
110 Schanck Road, Freehold, NJ 07728

Casino Pier

Every summer, the Seaside Heights boardwalk is filled with locals and tourists flocking to Casino Pier for rides and fun overlooking the Atlantic. After the damage from Sandy, Casino Pier has slowly rebuilt itself and added new attractions each year. Littles will go wild for the Mermaid Parade, Elephant Express, Crazy Cabs, and Centrifuge. Of course, don’t miss the classic favorites like the swings, bumper cars, or tilt-a-whirl. Next door, Breakwater Beach Water Park has a giant wave pool and plunging slides to make a splash with the family.
800 Ocean Terrace, Seaside Heights, NJ 08751

Fantasy Island Amusement Park

Located in the heart of Beach Haven, Fantasy Island Amusement Park is an intimate amusement park perfect for your little cuties on your visit to Long Beach Island. It’s geared toward mostly younger kids, but there are still rides that older ones will enjoy, not to mention a massive indoor arcade. Your littles will love the vintage-style carousel, designed like the old carousels from the 1900s. With great kiddie rides, fun games, a little mini-coaster, and an ice cream shop inside, a night at Fantasy Island is the stuff of summer family memories.
320 Seventh St., Beach Haven, NJ 08008

The Funplex

With locations in East Hanover and Mount Laurel, The Funplex is an indoor-outdoor theme park that offers dozens of arcade games, rides, go-karts, laser tag, and a water park. Bonus—you can bowl under fun lights, jammin’ music, and a big-screen TV. The Funplex has special events all year round, and don’t miss the Splashplex Water Park at both the Mount Laurel and East Hanover locations.
3320-24 Route 38, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054
182 Route 10 West, East Hanover, NJ 07936

Storybook Land

Located in Egg Harbor Township, Storybook Land has kept children’s imaginations going for ages. Your family can journey through classic stories that have lived on through the ages, from your parents’ generation to your kids. A few favorites include Snow White & the Seven Dwarves, Mother Goose, and Little Red Riding Hood. While there are many walk-through displays, littles will love the themed rides—like the Beanstalk Bounce and the Out-on-a-Limb swings.
6415 Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234

Land of Make Believe

Land of Make Believe is all about using your imagination. The goal of this family theme park is that adults and parents would no longer be “passive spectators” but rather have just as much fun as their kids. It’s an amusement park in a charming setting as well as an award-winning water park. There’s fun around every corner, from tilt-a-whirls to a thrilling roller coaster. Play boardwalk games, make your way through mazes, and visit the World War II Airplane Cockpit.
354 Great Meadows Rd., Rt. 611, Hope, NJ 07844

Field Station: Dinosaurs

Are you ready to come face-to-face with a T-Rex in the Garden State? Though not a traditional ride-based amusement park, this spot is where modern science and prehistoric dinosaurs come together in New Jersey to entertain dino lovers and their families. Kids will be thrilled to go on a wild scientific expedition to see over 30 life-size, realistic, and moving dinosaurs. Don’t miss fun workshops and competitions, including the Build A Dinosaur with LA-Q, DinosOrigami, or visit the Fossil Dig Site. You can also check out shows like the T-Rex Feeding Frenzy or the Dinosaur Daycare.
40 Fort Lee Road, Leonia, NJ 07605

Diggerland USA

Can you dig it? There is no better place for your little construction lover to drive, ride, and operate specifically engineered real machines than at Diggerland USA in West Berlin, the only construction-themed amusement and water park in the US. Take the heavy-duty steel off-road Roxor off-road, learn how to use a 7,092-pound big digger, or dig up treasure with the mini-dig. Your little ones will also enjoy the turnpike tractors, skid steers, and dumper trucks. And if the temps are heating up, take a break at The Water Main, which has plenty of places to soak, swim, and slide.
100 Pinedge Drive, West Berlin, NJ 08091

Wild West City

Howdy partner! Take a step back to the Wild West, all while never leaving Stanhope, New Jersey. Experience Dodge City, Kansas, in the 1800s with demonstrations, dramatizations, and historical characters at Wild West City. While there, pop into the authentic Main Street buildings, see the Native American art and artifacts, and look out for the Wild West City Stagecoach. Take a ride on the train or a pony, learn how to pan for gold, or learn all about the printing press to see how they created newspapers decades ago. But don’t make a wrong move, or you’ll end up in the circa 1890 jail cell.
50 Lackawanna Drive, Stanhope, NJ 07874

Steel Pier

Founded in 1898, Steel Pier on the Atlantic City Boardwalk is a unique amusement park that jets out over the ocean. Take a spin on one of the classic rides like the Carousel, the iconic Wheel, and a Swinging Carousel that lets you fly over the crowds and see the sea in a whole new way. There are plenty of kiddie rides, too, like the Beach Buggies, Balloon Wheel, and the Silly Steamer, as well as carnival games, food, and those nostalgic Rolling Chairs down the boardwalk.
1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401

Jenkinson’s Boardwalk

Step off the sand onto Jenkinson’s Boardwalk in Point Pleasant Beach for a day of games, big and small thrill rides, mini-golf, and adventure on the ziplines. With a separate section of kiddie rides, Jenkinson’s is the perfect place to introduce the littles to an amusement park. Hop aboard the train around the amusement park or take a spin on the kiddie convoy trucks. Are your older kiddos looking for more of a thrill? Try out the Starship 3000, feel the pendulum motion on Pendolo, or take the 50-foot tall Pirate Plunge. And don’t miss Jenkinson’s Aquarium or downtown Point Pleasant Beach for a full day of fun.
300 Ocean Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742

Playland’s Castaway Cove 

Choose from over 32 rides at Playland’s Castaway Cove, where kids and adults can have a good time on the Ocean City Boardwalk. Take a ride on the Go Kart Speedway with the family, or get your thrills out on Alien Abduction. One of the most popular south NJ amusement parks, Playland’s Castaway Cove also has golf with two mini golf locations and three courses and go-karts to add to the fun.
1020 Boardwalk, Ocean City, NJ 08226

Gillian’s Wonderland Pier 

Gillian’s Wonderland Pier has offered thrills in Ocean City for almost a century. You’ll find rides like the Fire Engines inside or a spooky Haunted Dark Ride on the Lower Deck. Get lost in the Glass House on the Midway Deck, or ride on the Swings on Gillian’s Fun Deck. Kids of all ages will have a blast at this historic NJ amusement park.
600 Boardwalk, Ocean City, NJ 08226

Keansburg Amusement Park & Runaway Rapids

With kiddie rides, a water park, and go-karts, Keanburg Amusement Park provides hours of fun. Start on the Fast Trax with two tracks to choose from, then head over to the amusement park with rides, games, and three large family arcade areas. Grab some boardwalk-style food, and if it’s hot out, Runaway Rapids water park has a variety of slides, a kiddie lagoon, a water mushroom, a time warp portal, and a separate toddler play area. Adults can even pop over to the two relaxing spa pools, too.
275 Beachway Avenue, Keansburg, NJ 07734

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