12 Best New Jersey Amusement Parks

During the sizzling summer months, New Jersey attracts people from all over the country who want to have some fun in the sun. The state offers beaches and boardwalks galore, but many visitors also come here to enjoy the state's many amusement parks, which can be found everywhere from the Jersey Shore to upstate. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly experience or thrilling roller coasters and fast-paced rides, New Jersey can deliver the type of getaway you want. If you're planning a trip here, these are the amusement parks that you should be considering.

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» Morey's Adventure Piers

Family owned and operated since 1969, Morey's Adventure Piers is located on the Wildwood Boardwalk in Wildwood, New Jersey. The park consists of three piers and two waterparks, and it boasts more than 100 different rides and attractions. Kid-friendly attractions include a whimsical pink elephant ride and mini bumper boats, but the park also offers thrilling rides like a five-story freefall body slide and a giant roller coaster with a 95-foot drop. Daily wristbands and season's passes provide unlimited access to more than 50 of these features, but visitors will have to pay an additional fee to enjoy the other rides and attractions.

3501 Boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ 08260, Phone: 609-729-3700

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» Clementon Park & Splash World

Opened in 1907, Clementon Park & Splash World is one of the oldest operating theme parks in the world. The park has something to offer visitors of all ages; highlights include a colorful vintage carousel, a giant Ferris wheel, a wooden roller coaster, and a 100-foot freefall ride. There is also a waterpark, which offers a 23,000-square-foot wave pool, a lazy river, and tube slides that can accommodate up to five riders at a time. Outside food and drinks are not permitted in the park, but there are plenty of food outlets scattered throughout the property.

4504, 144 Berlin Rd, Clementon, NJ 08021, Phone: 856-783-0263

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» Fantasy Island

The only amusement park on Long Beach Island, Fantasy Island has been proudly family owned since 1985. There are approximately 20 rides in the park, most of which are aimed at younger children, but visitors can also enjoy the park's large arcade and more than a dozen carnival games. The food court offers plenty of options for lunch and dinner, and the park's specialty ice cream parlor is the perfect way to cool off on a hot afternoon. The park is only open full-time between Memorial Day and Labor Day, but it's open on weekends throughout the year.

320 7th St, Beach Haven, NJ 08008, Phone: 609-492-4000

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» Gillian's Wonderland Pier

Founded by musician David Gillian, Gillian's Wonderland Pier is a historic fixture on the New Jersey Boardwalk. The park is best known for its 144-foot Ferris wheel, which is one of the largest Ferris wheels on the Jersey Shore. However, there are also more than 25 other rides and attractions for visitors to enjoy, including a tilt-a-whirl, a haunted dark ride, and an exciting airborne shot. Birthday party packages include 4 hours on the rides and 45 minutes in the party room, and pizza, cupcakes, and party favors can be added for an additional fee.

601 Boardwalk, Ocean City, NJ 08226, Phone: 609-399-7082

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» Jenkinson's Boardwalk

Sitting on a privately owned property with 1.5 miles of beachfront, Jenkinson's Boardwalk has everything you need for a day of family-friendly fun. The mile-long boardwalk is lined with concessions, candy shops, mini-golf courses, arcade games, carnival games, and even an aquarium, and lifeguards are on duty on the beach for anyone who wants to swim in the ocean. There are also plenty of rides suitable for the whole family, including a balloon race Ferris wheel, a traditional bumper cars track, a thrilling tilt-a-whirl, and an antique-style train that circles around the kiddie section of the park.

300 Ocean Ave, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742, Phone: 732-892-0600

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» Keansburg Amusement Park

Keansburg Amusement Park has been providing families with summer fun in the sun for more than 100 years, and it's still one of the most popular amusement parks on the Jersey Shore. In addition to dozens of family-friendly rides, the park offers three separate arcade centers, a fishing pier, a beach, fun carnival games with prizes, and plenty of delicious food. There is also a waterpark with almost 20 slides, a lazy river, and two hot tubs; life guards are always on duty, and there are showers, lockers, and changing rooms for visitors to use.

275 Beachway Ave, Keansburg, NJ 07734, Phone: 732-495-1400

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» Land of Make Believe & Pirates Cove

Aimed primarily at children under the age of 8, the Land of Make Believe & Pirates Cove is a pleasant amusement park open between the months of May and September. Many of the rides in the park are pirate-themed, including the pirate ship water play area, and a Civil War-style train that loops around the perimeter of the park. Other attractions include a petting zoo, a hay ride, and an arcade. Parking and access to the picnic area is included in the price of admission, and visitors are also welcome to enjoy the park's many water slides.

354 Great Meadows Rd, Hope, NJ 07844, Phone: 908-459-9000

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» Bowcraft Amusement Park

Also known as Bowcraft Playland, Bowcraft Amusement Park is a kid-friendly destination that was first opened in 1946. There are more than 20 rides for families to enjoy, including two roller coasters, a merry-go-round, and bumper cars. Visitors can either purchase tickets for individual rides or purchase an all-inclusive day pass, and birthday party packages are available for groups of at least 10 children. The park is open every day between June and Labor Day, and it's also open on weekends from May to October. Regular visitors can join the Fun Club, which offers discounts and access to online specials.

2545 US-22, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076, Phone: 908-389-1234

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» Playland's Castaway Cove

The oldest amusement park in Ocean City, Playland's Castaway Cove has an excellent location right by the boardwalk. Families have been coming here for decades to enjoy all sorts of activities, including mini-golf, go-karting, arcade games, and rides. There are currently more than 30 rides in the park, including both family-friendly options and thrilling rides suitable for adrenaline seekers. All rides require tickets, and separate passes are required for mini-golf and go-karting. Birthday party packages include pizza, ice cream, and 1 or 2 hours of time on the rides, and there are several different concession stands in the park.

1020 Boardwalk, Ocean City, NJ 08226, Phone: 609-399-4751

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» Six Flags Great Adventure

Part of the famous Six Flags family, Six Flags Great Adventure is the biggest amusement park in New Jersey. The park sits on approximately 510 acres, 350 of which are taken up by the Great Adventure & Safari Park. There are almost 70 rides for visitors to enjoy in the park; some of these have been in operation since the park first opened in 1974, whereas others are much more modern. The park is open full time between late March and early September, and it opens several times throughout the rest of the year for special events.

1 Six Flags Blvd, Jackson, NJ 08527, Phone: 732-928-2000

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» Steel Pier

Conveniently located on the boardwalk across from the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, Steel Pier is a 1,000-foot-long amusement park that was first opened in 1898. Rides range from kid-friendly bumper cars to an adrenaline-inducing ride known as the Slingshot, and anyone who wants to enjoy a splendid view of the city can hop on the park's giant observation wheel or even take a helicopter ride over the city. In addition to the rides, the boardwalk offers an excellent selection of food, fun games for all ages, and a covered event space that can be rented out for private events.

1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401, Phone: 609-345-4893

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» Storybook Land

As you might guess from the name, Storybook Land is a family-friendly amusement park themed after traditional storybook characters like Mother Goose and Goldilocks and the Three Bears. The price of admission to the park gives visitors access to all of the rides and attractions, including a junior roller coaster, a Jack and the Beanstalk themed drop ride, and a charming railroad train that chugs around the park. The park is open all throughout the year, and visitors who come during the Christmas season will have the opportunity to visit Santa and Mrs. Claus in the park's Santa Claus House.

6415 E Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234, Phone: 609-646-0103

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» The Funplex l

One of two Funplexes in New Jersey, the Funplex l sits on a 25-acre property in Mount Laurel. The park boasts both indoor and outdoor rides and attractions; indoor options include laser tag, arcade games, go-karts, and bumper cars, while the outdoor section offers roller coasters, mini-golf, and a waterpark with tube rides and plenty of slides. Food can be purchased from the indoor concession stand, but guests who rent a private outdoor cabana will receive complimentary waiter service. There is no admission fee, and guests can choose to purchase either a wristband or individual tickets.

3320-24 NJ-38, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054, Phone: 856-273-9666

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