A warm 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 spring and summer are prime season times for trips to an 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 to be water-soaked, 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
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 
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
DreamWorks is the largest indoor waterpark in North America with the biggest indoor wave pool. Photo Credit: DreamWorks Waterpark at American Dream
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 world’s largest tipping bucket (yes, the world!). If your kiddo would rather hang ten, there is a place for private surf sessions or boogie boarding 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
Fantasy Island Amusement Park
Located in the heart of Beach Haven, Fantasy Island Amusement Park is an intimate amusement park that will delight littles when you’re spending time on 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 Street, Beach Haven, NJ 08008
iPlay America
iPlay America is a large indoor amusement park in New Jersey, offering a distinct 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
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
Keansburg Amusement Park & Runaway Rapids
With kiddie rides, a water park, and go-karts, Keanburg Amusement Park provides hours of fun. Start by testing your racing skills on the Grand Prix or Kiddie Track, then head over to the amusement park with rides, games, and 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 frog slide, and a separate toddler play area. Adults can even pop over to the two relaxing spa pools, too.
275 Beachway Avenue, Keansburg, NJ 07734
Land of Make Believe
Land of Make Believe is all about using your imagination. The goal of this family theme park is for adults and parents to no longer be “passive spectators” but to have just as much fun as their kids. It’s an amusement park in a charming setting and 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 Road, Route 611, Hope, NJ 07844
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, Beach Club, and Raging Waters Water Park.
3501 Boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ 08260
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
Playland’s Castaway Cove
Choose from over 30 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 Speedway with the family, or get your thrills out on Alien Abduction. One of the most popular amusement parks in South Jersey, Playland’s Castaway Cove, also offers golf with two mini-golf locations and three courses, plus go-karts for added fun.
1020 Boardwalk, Ocean City, NJ 08226
Six Flags Great Adventure
Six Flags Great Adventure is New Jersey’s biggest theme park, with a ton of rides, the Wild Safari adventure, 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 of the world’s fastest single-rail coasters, and The Flash Vertical Velocity, the first super boomerang coaster to open in North America. Beyond the incredible thrills, there’s also plenty to do for little ones with kiddie rides, Looney Tunes character shows, the off-road safari experience, which mimics an African Savannah, 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 Boulevard, Jackson, NJ 08527
Steel Pier
Founded in 1898, Steel Pier on the Atlantic City Boardwalk is a unique amusement park that juts 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 lots of boardwalk nostalgia.
1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
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 endured 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
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
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
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