10 Best Theme Parks In New Jersey To Relive Your Childhood Memories
One place that never fails to astonish varying age groups is theme parks. You will see adventure junkies screaming their hearts out and the foodies munching on sugary funnel cakes. From small independent parks to the giants with huge roller coasters, New Jersey is a state loaded with amusement parks which guarantee you a vacation of a lifetime. Some like the Wild West city are popular for their unique theme while others like Jenkinson’s Boardwalk amaze the visitors with their thrilling rides. Amusement parks in New Jersey are becoming an emerging hotspot for the thrill seekers with an increased footfall of tourists every year. So, head to these theme parks in New Jersey and relive your childhood with some of America’s best adventures.
1. Casino Pier and Breakwater Beach Waterpark
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A classic seaside boardwalk park nestled in the heart of Jersey shore, Casino Pier and Breakwater Beach Waterpark assures you the most thrilling experience with its exhilarating rides and roller coasters. The park has 35 rides which include a sky ride and roller coaster. 36-hole multi-level Smuggler’s Quay Adventure gold course, delicious delights from the Pier Grill, Harbor Wavepool and an adjacent waterpark with slides for different age groups assures a gala time for you and your family. You can also explore the walk-through funhouse, go-carts, and mini-golf if you are not the roller-coaster type.
Location: 800 Ocean Terrace, Seaside Heights, NJ 08751, USA
Signature Attractions: Hydrus Roller Coaster, Super Storm, SkyCoaster, Shore Shot
2. Morey’s Piers
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Huge amusement Piers, beachfront waterparks, flashy arcade, thrilling games, resort hotels, fun restaurants, and over 100 rides make Morey’s Piers one of the favorites among locals and tourists alike. Excitement and amusement are best combined with the rejuvenating magic of beach life at this seaside amusement park. The Giant Wheel lets you witness the beauty of the entire beach horizon, the haunted house will get your heartbeat rushing and the car driving rides will please those little-ones. Lots of spinning rides, bumper cars, water slides, private cabanas, and a carousel make this park perfect or a fun outdoor getaway.
Location: 3501 Boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ 08260, USA
Signature Attractions: Great White, Skyscraper, Great Nor’Easter
3. Wild West City
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Western hospitality and old west ambiance best define the northern New Jersey theme park, Wild West City. The park allows for interesting activities like browsing through museums and shops, playing miniature golf, taking pony rides, exploring early Western life by talking to townsfolk, visiting the barnyard, and panning for gold. Open May through October, this theme park brings the old west back to life by portraying real-life western characters, recreating a frontier-town and hosting legendary events. A large picnic grove with numerous restaurants is sure to make your visit to this theme park hassle-free.
Location: 50 Lackawanna Dr, Stanhope, NJ 07874, USA
Signature Attractions: Stagecoach Ride, Train Ride, Barnyard Zoo, Pony Ride, Pan for Gold, Miniature Golf
4. Jenkinson’s Boardwalk
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Who would expect animals from sharks and parrots to penguins and monkeys at an amusement park? Well, Jenkinson’s Boardwalk is here to make your day a little more fun with all these creatures. Thrilling rides, white sandy beaches, arcades, mini-golf courses, and exciting games await you at this world-famous theme park. Not just this, the park is also a heaven for foodies with options like ice cream and cotton candies to pizzas, funnel cakes and gummies. Bumper cars, spinning rides, Ferris wheel, and small roller coasters ensure fun and adventure at its best.
Location: 300 Ocean Ave, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742, USA
Signature Attractions: 7 D Dark Ride, Batting Cages, Fun House, Boardwalk Games
5. Land of Make Believe
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If you are looking for a place specifically for your kids, Land of Make Believe offers the best of kid-friendly attractions. This family-owned amusement and waterpark with the spins and turns of Scream Machine 360, exciting boardwalk games, and classic kids rides as Ferris wheel and hayride caters to both young and older kids. You can experience the Christmas magic year-round at their fireplace where Santa awaits you with jingling bells. The waterpark of Land of Make believe is one of the most cherished water parks in New Jersey with plunge rides, free falling rides, and the classic dumping buckets.
Location: 354 Great Meadows Rd, Hope, NJ 07844, USA
Signature Attractions: Sidewinder, Pirate’s escape, Tornado, The Black Hole, Flying Pirate Ship, Magic Dragon, T-Rex
6. Storybook Land
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The memories of your childhood will come alive as you head to the nursery rhymes themed Storybook Land with your family. Walk through your all-time favorite stories and see them come to life at this whimsical land. Delicious dining spots are best enjoyed with the theme events organized year-round at the park. Classic kids’ rides include antique cars, train ride, a small roller coaster, drop-tower ride, and a carousel. This theme park has been running since over 60 years and with its holiday and theme events, it is sure to delight the entire family.
Location: 6415 E Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234, USA
Signature Attractions: Rockin’ Tug, Beanstalk Bounce, Jumping Jumbos, Happy Dragon, Tick-Tock Clock Drop
7. Fantasy Island Park
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A charming park with Victorian vibes, the Fantasy Island Park features oak benches, Z-brick walkways, Tiffany glass chandeliers, and ornate lamp posts making the park an exquisite family attraction. The quaint charm of seaside combines with the fascinating vintage-style carousel, bumper cars, tea cups, Ferris Wheel, and Tilt-A-Whirl to make your visit to the Fantasy Island park an unforgettable one. Enjoy midway games and free entertainment with the park’s very own special ice creams for a unique outdoor experience.
Location: 320 Seventh Street, Beach Haven, NJ 08008
Signature Attractions: Carousel, Drop Zone, Giant Wheel, Hang Ten, Honey bees, Flying pirates, Sea Dragon, Scrambler
8. Bowcraft Amusement Park
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Located centrally in New Jersey, the Bowcraft Amusement Park is a small and traditional amusement park. With an extensive section of rides for kids and teens, the park stays open daily from June through Labor Day and on weekends from April to October. The brand-new Crossbow Roller Coaster, midway games, arcade and food stands are significant features of the park apart from the adventurous rides. The Tilt-A-Whirl, Superslide and Kiddie Boats ensure that both kids and parents have a blast here. Events like after-school specials, summer night specials, and Memorial weekend Blitz draw huge crowds and are worth attending.
Location: 2545 US-22, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076, USA
Significant Attractions: Dragon Roller Coaster, Galleon Pirate Ship, Drop Zone, Muzik Express, Crossbow, Scrambler
9. Keansburg Amusement Park
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The northern shore of Jersey welcomes you with a dozen kiddie rides and thrill adventures at the exciting Keansburg Amusement Park. The best part about this park is that it does not come with an entry fee, so you end up paying only for the rides you take. Wheel-of-Chance, antique cars and arcades along with the scrumptious assortment of snacks and food will make your visit to this oceanside amusement park even more enthralling. Don’t forget to stop by the adjacent Runway Rapid, for its water rides are sure to satisfy the adventure junkies.
Location: 275 Beachway Ave, Keansburg, NJ 07734, USA
Significant Attractions: Wildcat Roller Coaster, Cliff Hanger, Double Shot
10. Gillian’s Wonderland Pier
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Gillian’s Wonderland Pier is a classic boardwalk pier park with a great assortment of both indoor and outdoor rides. 35 different rides and attractions to choose from, including kite flyer, fun deck, and a glass house, this one promises fun and amusement for your kids like no other. Watch the breathtaking site of New Jersey’s skyline on the huge Ferris wheel, experience that adrenaline rushing at the haunted dark side or experience the child in you take over at the fun deck.
Location: 601 Boardwalk, Ocean City, NJ 08226, USA
Significant Attractions: Kite Flyer, Glasshouse, Runaway Train Coaster Whacky Worm (minor), Giant Wheel, Carousel, Speedway Whip, Crazy Submarine
Lots of rides and attractions await you in the adventure wonderland of New Jersey. So add a dose of extravaganza to your holiday with these theme parks that best balance fun, entertainment, and thrill.
*Some images are for representational purposes only.
