New Jersey Amusement Parks

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

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

New Jersey Amusement Parks for Younger Kids

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

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

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

For Teens and Twins

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

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