10 of the Best Amusement Parks in the State of New York

10 of the Best Amusement Parks in the State of New York

New York is home to world-class jaw-dropping thrill rides and dizzying roller coasters, the kind of heart-palpitating that makes the horror film IT look like child’s play. Thrill-seekers are guaranteed adrenaline-pumping rides and carnival-style action.

Below are 10 of the best amusement parks in the State of New York;

1. Playland Park

Playland Park – Flickr

Playland Park, also known as Rye Playland or Playland Amusement Park, is an amusement park located in Rye, New York, along the Long Island Sound. It was built in 1928 on a 280-acre (110 ha) parcel of land.

Playland was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1987. At the time, it was the United States’ only Art Deco amusement park.

It features three major components; The first component, a swimming park, is defined by a semi-elliptical beach, boardwalk, and arcade. The second component, an amusement park, is laid out along an axial landscaped mall at roughly 90 degrees to the Parkway approach. The third component, a boating lake, lies beyond the tower.

Playland is worth the visit as it is America’s first totally planned amusement park and prototype for today’s successful theme parks.

2. Adventureland

Adventureland Park – Flickr

Adventureland is an amusement park in East Farmingdale, New York, located on Route 110 (Broadhollow Road). In 1962 the park opened under the name Adventureland 110 Playland.

There are a total of thirty rides, two of which are roller coasters and three are water rides. Admission and parking are free every day; unlimited rides bracelet and single tickets available for purchase at the gate.

It is opened seasonally: weekends in March, April, May, September and October and all days in the summer.

Enjoy exploring Long Island’s main amusement park since 1962.

3. Six Flags Darien Lake

Six Flags Darien Lake -Flickr

Six Flags Darien Lake is a 1,200-acre (4.86 km2) amusement park and resort located in Darien, New York, off of Interstate 90 between Buffalo and Rochester. The park features a theme park, water park, campground and lodging.

The Vekoma-built Giant Wheel Ferris wheel, the showcase of the 1982 World’s Fair in Knoxville, Tennessee and the largest in the United States at the time, which was permanently installed in the park’s center. Although no longer the largest in the country, the Giant Wheel is still in operation today.

Enjoy riding the popular the region’s largest waterpark that includes a giant wave pool, lazy river, water slides, cabanas, and a large interactive kiddie waterpark.

4. Adventurer’s Amusement Park

Adventurers Amusement Park – Flickr

Adventurer’s Park is a small amusement park in the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn in New York City. The park features classic kiddie rides and arcade games as well as a Ferris wheel, go carts and miniature golf.

The park is well known as a great summer kids’ birthday spot, or elementary school event place, with many of their geared for kids 8 and under.

5. Enchanted Forest Water Safari

Enchanted Forest Water Safari -Flickr

The Enchanted Forest, Water Safari (originally known as The Enchanted Forest of the Adirondacks and often called the Enchanted Forest and Water Safari) is an amusement park/water park located within Old Forge, in the Adirondack region.

The park was opened as The Enchanted Forest of the Adirondacks in 1956. Additionally, the park adjoins to campgrounds with classic cabins in Adirondack style, as well as RV accommodations. A pond with row and peddle boats, as well as several rec rooms and shower/restroom facilities, are also included.

The park is renowned as the largest water park in New York and rated the number four waterpark in the US.

6. Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park

Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park – Wikipedia

Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park is a family-owned amusement park located at Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York City. It is named after its main attraction, the Wonder Wheel, a 150-foot (46 m) eccentric wheel built in 1920.

The Wonder Wheel was made a New York City designated landmark by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission in 1989.

The park features six adult rides and 16 kiddie rides, including a dozen family rides that parents and children can ride together.

A summer trip to Brooklyn isn’t complete without a visit to Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park, which numerous rides for little ones, as well as fun rides for older kids and adults.

7. Seabreeze Amusement Park

Seabreeze Amusement Park – Wikipedia

Seabreeze Amusement Park, locally known as Seabreeze, is a historic amusement park in Irondequoit, a suburb of Rochester, New York.

The park opened on August 5, 1879 and according to the National Amusement Park Historical Association (NAPHA), it is the twelfth-oldest operating amusement park in the world and fourth-oldest in the United States. It is one of only thirteen trolley parks still operating in the United States.

Enjoy its most celebrated ride the Jack Rabbit, an “out and back” roller coaster opened in 1920, it’s the fourth-oldest operating roller coaster in the world (oldest continuously operating in the United States).

8. Splish Splash Amusement Park

Splish Splash Main Entrance – Wikipedia

Splish Splash is a 96-acre (390,000 m2) water park in Calverton, New York. It opened in May 1991 with three body slides, two speed slides, two kiddie pools, two tube slides, a lazy river, and a restaurant.

The park spans over 90 acres (360,000 m2) with the lazy river being 1,300 feet (400 m) long and is accompanied by 18 water slides, 2 wave pools, several kiddie attractions, and a spray and play pirate theme attraction.

Apart from its world-class water slides and rides, the park has an inviting, fun atmosphere that it creates with its thick canopy of trees, lovely landscaping, and unique attractions.

9. Lake George Expedition Park

Lake George Expedition Park – Wikipedia

Lake George Expedition Park is an amusement park located in Lake George, NY along Route 9. Magic Forest also has a small petting zoo where children can feed the animals.

It opened in 2019, and incorporates the Magic Forest, which opened in 1963, along with a new attraction entitled Dino Roar Valley. The park features a magic show, and cottages and attractions which tell the story of the Three Little Pigs, Jack Sprat, Hansel and Gretel, various princesses, Paul Bunyan, Pecos Bill, the Statue of Liberty, and the Spider-Man.

The park is famously known for its Santa Claus, which overlooks the parking lot.

10. Six Flags Great Escape Lodge & Indoor Waterpark

Tall timber treehouse great escape lodge – Wikipedia

Six Flags Great Escape Lodge & Indoor Waterpark is a resort and waterpark, located in Queensbury, New York. The park features a 38,000-square-foot water park called White Water Bay.

It was first opened on February 7, 2006 and became the first resort in the state of New York to feature an indoor waterpark.

Amusement Park is famous for mixing waterslides, kiddie attractions & thrill rides, with a classic wood coaster that create the most amazing experiences.