Ever since my son built his first LEGO® figure, he’s been hooked on creating cities and fantasy characters with those brightly colored bricks. So when we had the chance to visit LEGOLAND NY in Goshen, New York, in the Hudson Valley, my kids were elated to head to 150 acres of pure block-building awesomeness at the LEGOLAND New York Resort. Once we arrived in Goshen, we discovered it was everything they dreamed of for LEGO — bright colors, incredible builds, and exciting rides they loved — and it made for a memorable family getaway. And after a day filled with fun, we stayed overnight in the kingdom-themed room at the resort hotel in the park. For our little LEGO-obsessed builders, this was their nirvana (and we didn’t need to hop on a flight to CA or FL, sites of other LEGOLAND locations). Read on to learn more about our LEGO getaway and what to know if you plan to go. And for thrills and fun closer to home, check out our guide to amusement parks in NJ. (Photo Credit: LEGOLAND NY Resort)
LEGOLAND NY Resort
Planning a Bricktastic Day at LEGOLAND NY
Entering LEGOLAND NY with catchy tunes playing throughout made my kids even more excited to start our day. There are seven lands to visit in the park, each with unique rides and activities. On Brick Street, we rode the Brick Party Carousel with a DUPLO chicken, motorcycle, and tiger build. At Bricktopia, my kids loved DJ Dizzy Disco Spin and the LEGO Factory Adventure Ride, which gave us an inside look at the action and nitty-gritty of brick creation. LEGO NINJAGO World is where we hopped on Jay’s Gravity Force Trainer, a ride that trains you to travel like a Ninja during high speeds and G Forces. The LEGO Castle was our favorite spot with Merlin’s Flying Machines, the Tower Climb Tournament (a real workout going up, but with gorgeous views at the top), and The Dragon Roller Coaster, which our kids said was the best ride. In LEGO City, we felt like we were walking through a city and tested our skills at the Driving School with drivable cars (my kids were thrilled to earn their LEGO driver’s license). At the Fire Academy, we sprayed the “fire” with water during this competitive fire truck race. LEGO Pirates was another favorite since we could squirt passing ships from the sidelines. Lastly, we made a pit stop at MiniLand, where we could check out the brick versions of 10 cities, including Las Vegas, New York City, and Washington, DC. The attention to detail was beyond—mini horses raced, and a subway moved through NYC. The land is filled with about 22,231,368 bricks and is an excellent spot for a ride break.
Get creative with classes, builds, and trades at LEGOLAND
While walking around, we discovered parts of the park that challenged us to use our imaginations. Rebuild the World is a giant globe surrounded by bricks, where we created a build and attached it to the globe. At Build & Test, they gave us wheels to make our own cars, which we could race with others. New this year is the Ferrari Build & Race, which lets you build your own Ferrari, test it for maximum speed and design, and race it against other creators. My kids also built skyscrapers and tested them on the shake pad to see if they held up (they did). We booked a class at the LEGOLAND NY Creative Workshop, where the kids trained to become Master Builders as they followed directions to make a build. These classes added an element that wasn’t just about the rides—they honed their skills and learned new ways to get creative. Another fun option? Buy or bring mini-figures for trades. You can find a location with several trade choices in one area or find a LEGOLAND employee and trade with them (they show the figure on their nametag). My son discovered some great new mini-figures while we were there, and the mini-figures with the “I Love NY” shirts are truly unique, so of course, we had to trade for one. You can also try scoring a Mr. Gold, which is a real treat since only a few are released daily.
Watch exciting shows and entertainment
Entertainment is a huge part of the park, and we were all happy to watch it in between rides. We jammed to the energetic Earth Beat with Ninja-inspired music and drumming at NINJAGO World, sang along to popular LEGO movie favorites like Everything Is Awesome at Brick Street Plaza, and enjoyed a show at the LEGOLAND NY Theater. We also stopped at the LEGO City Cinema to see the 4D show Officer in Pursuit. We wore 4D glasses, and let’s say there were lots of surprises (hello, water) that made us feel like we were a part of the movie. If you are looking for something quick, Meet-and-Greets with characters are available throughout the day, so keep an eye out for special guests.
Shrink to a LEGO figure at the playground at LEGOLAND NY
One big perk of the park was the playgrounds, which are great take-a-break spots for kids to run around and for us to sit and relax after waiting in lines. Check out the LEGO DUPLO Peppa Pig Playground with Peppa’s treehouse, slide, muddy puddles, and even Grandpa Pig’s boat, perfect for littles. The two other playgrounds have cool themes—in LEGO City, there is a boat and a Coast Guard climbing area, and in LEGO Pirates, there is a ship to explore and a dry-off area after all those pirate water rides. The playgrounds are fenced in and have several levels that encourage kids to slide, explore, and climb, with rubber padding in case of falls. My kids loved feeling like they were characters in a LEGO world. And in the summer, there’s a cool LEGO City Water Playground. This reservations-only cooling oasis features awesome waterslides, a cascading splash with 318 gallons of refreshing water, and plenty of areas for everyone to splash and play.
Fuel up and then shop till you drop
After a day at the park, my kids were delighted to bring home their own sets from the largest “BIG SHOP” in North America. You can shop across categories like Minecraft, Friends, and a dedicated LEGOLAND NY Park section to find unique sets (if there’s a rare one you’ve never seen before, it’s probably here). It was so big we spent a reasonable amount of time here before making a souvenir purchase of a set they both wanted to work on. After all that shopping, we needed to refuel and explore the restaurant choices. There are many fast-food options in each area for pizza, burgers, hot dogs, and BBQ, as well as a few dine-in options with mobile ordering. We ordered tacos from Everything Taco, and the kids feasted on chicken fingers and ended with ice cream at Brickbeard’s Food Market.
A room perfect for a king or queen
Our fun didn’t end when we left the park. We grabbed our overnight bags from the car in the parking lot and went directly to the LEGOLAND New York Resort Hotel (a 5-10 minute walk from the park). At the hotel, we could meet LEGO characters, sign up for building classes, visit the retail gift shop, see a wall of over 5,000 mini figures, and swim in the outdoor pool. While you check in (online check-in is available, too), littles can peek into the castle and pirate ship, or if the mood strikes, you can get creative with the brick stations all around the lobby. Once we received our room keys, we headed to our room, riding the Disco Elevator, with upbeat music and lights adding to the excitement. When we walked into our Kingdom-themed room (there are also other LEGO-themed rooms like Pirate, LEGO Friends, and NINJAGO), we couldn’t believe the attention to detail everywhere— it felt like you were in a real castle. As we settled in, we discovered a ladybug, snail, and even a spider within our quarters (ha—all made from LEGOS). Thanks to bunks and a trundle bed, the separate kids’ area had plenty of space and an entertainment unit so my kids could chill before bed.
We found directions for a scavenger hunt in the room, and when the kids solved the puzzle, they entered the code into the safe, which revealed LEGO surprises inside to keep. It was a perfect ending to our LEGO-themed day. The next morning, we feasted like kings and queens at the Breakfast Buffet at Bricks. It’s included with the room, but you need a reservation (there are reminders if you forget it). My kids were fans of the waffles, and it didn’t hurt that there was whipped cream on top. As we left, with the LEGO skyline in the background, we knew our kids weren’t the only ones who had a great time—it was a fantastic mini-vacay for the whole family.
FAQs about LEGOLAND NY
When does the park open?
LEGOLAND NY Park opens for the season on March 27, 2026, but the hotel is open all year round.
What is the best way to get tickets for the amusement park?
All guests are required to make a reservation before going to the park, and the resort is cashless. I highly recommend downloading the LEGOLAND app and buying tickets ahead of time (prices fluctuate by date; expect to pay about $59 per ticket, $99 at the gate).
Does LEGOLAND NY offer any special packages?
You can build your own vacation package or splurge on the Gold Season Pass, which includes visiting nine Merlin attractions, including SEA Life Aquarium New Jersey, Madame Tussauds New York, and the LEGOLAND Discovery Center in Westchester. If you want to cut down on wait times (or have kids who can’t wait in line), sign up for Reserve’ N’ Ride, which you can purchase through the app. There are other options to buy, too, like a souvenir cup with unlimited refills all day, prepaid parking for a quick exit, and stroller rentals.
Are there any special guides or classes available?
If your little builder wants to create, sign up for free LEGO classes at the Creative Workshop in the park or at the hotel. For younger children, pick up a What To Do When You’re Two! Guide for more info on toddler-sized rides and play spaces.
Are there any options for children with special needs?
Got a kid with special needs? The resort has partnered with The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) to become a Certified Autism Center across the Theme Park and on-site hotel. IBCCES has worked with the resort to conduct a staff-wide autism sensitivity and awareness training and to develop detailed Sensory Guides. There is also a Quiet Room and additional resources.
Tell me more about the hotel.
You can always check into the hotel, which is open year-round (a great escape in the doldrums of winter) and features themed rooms with interactive LEGO features, nightly children’s entertainment, a fitness center, character meet-ups, brick-building, and a resort-style heated pool during the summer. But perhaps one of the best perks of staying at the hotel is the early access to the park on busy summer weekends, where you can enter an hour before opening times.
Does LEGOLAND NY have any special events throughout the year?
Can’t make it in the summer? Look for special holiday events like Brick-or-Treat in October and Holiday Bricktacular from late November through December.
For more information, visit the LEGOLAND New York Resort website, Instagram, and Facebook.
LEGOLAND New York Resort
1 Legoland Boulevard
Goshen, NY 10924
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