15 Best Amusement Parks Near NYC

Sue Krawitz Tandoc:  Enjoy rides, shows, waterpark and more at Land of Make Believe! Family favorites include Blackbeard's River, Ferris Wheel, Thriller Roller Coaster, Pitare's Cove Wading Pool, Tilt-A-Whirl, Civil War Train, Alpha Express Hayride, & many more!

If you're going to visit Sesame Place, you might want to carve out a whole weekend to enjoy all of the rides, shows, a water playground and meals with the characters.

Tim Ponisciak:  If you are hitting the Jersey Shore, check out Morey's Piers in Wildwood! These amusement parks are a ton of fun and are located right on the boardwalk! Looking for thrill rides? Check out the Great White, a classic wooden rollercoaster. There are also swing rides, go karts, tower rides and a tilt-a-whirl. Make sure to check out the water park as well.

Vanessa M.:  Kids rides, family rides, BIG roller coasters, shows, water rides, Looney Tunes character greeting, safari animals, and 4-D ride experiences will make your visit to Great Adventure unforgettable.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc:  Fantasy Island Amusement Park in Beach Haven on Long Beach Island is chock full of family fun and entertainment. They have many fun rides, an arcade with games on a digital point system, boardwalk games to win prizes and more.

Shila:  Keansburg Amusement Park & Runaway Rapids has water rides, a carousel, go karts, bumper cars, an arcade, a haunted manor, and a beach! From teacups, to the tilt-a-whirl, Keansburg Amusement Park offers over 40 rides including many kiddie & family rides.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc:  Jenkinson's Boardwalk in Point Pleasant Beach has an amusement park with a variety of rides, including several for small children. There's also a ropes course, arcades, mini golf, games and more. They have a full aquarium and many family-friendly dining and dessert options. Also, don't forget to enjoy the beach!

Kelly R:  This kid-favorite amusement park in New Jersey's American Dream mall is all indoors for year-round fun. Rides range from heart-racing thrills to character-themed kiddie attractions.

Kelly R:  This family-owned Coney Island amusement park is right next to Luna Park. Admission is free and rides cost tickets, so you can visit both if you like. The Wonder Wheel, an official NYC landmark, is the centerpiece of the park and guests can choose from stationary or swinging cars.

Stephanie W.:  Luna Park is the largest amusement park in New York City, with loads of classic carnival rides for the whole family and rollercoasters for the adventure-seekers. Enjoy a Nathan's hot dog, stroll the boardwalk and enjoy the seaside view!

Kelly R:  This cute amusement park in Queens is heavy on the kiddie rides, so it's a great one to visit with younger kids. You can combine a visit with a trip to the Queens Zoo, which is right next door.

Kelly R:  This iconic New York amusement park has been around since 1928, and is still thrilling families with its nostalgic rides. You might remember it as the home of the Zoltar fortune telling machine from the movie Big.

Kelly R:  This classic Long Island amusement park has over 30 rides and attractions for the whole family, from thrilling coasters to tame kiddie rides.

Tracy Snyder Molina:  Located on Lake Quassapaug, this amusement park features affordable family fun. The park has thrill rides including Wooden Warrior which has been rated among the top 25 wooden coasters in the world. In addition, there are family rides, kiddie attractions, waterpark, arcade, games, laser maze, lake boat rides, paddle boat rentals, yummy food and more!

Lake Compounce is the oldest continually operating amusement park in North America. It's home to the top-rated wooden roller coaster in the world, Boulder Dash, plus additional thrill rides, family and kiddie rides and 8 water rides in their huge waterpark.