Top 7 Amusement Parks in New Jersey

By Chelsea Gonzales
Amusement Parks

If there’s one thing New Jersey knows how to do right, it’s amusement parks. Seriously, this state is chock-full of oceanside amusement parks, as well as several elaborate theme parks and some awesome waterparks. Yes, New Jersey amusement parks are definitely something you will want to weave into your trip to the Garden State. 

Some of the best include: 

  1. Nickelodeon Universe
  2. DreamWorks Water Park
  3. Diggerland USA
  4. Six Flags Great Adventure
  5. Hurricane Harbor New Jersey
  6. Land of Make Believe and Pirates Cove
  7. Steel Pier

New Jersey Amusement Parks at a Glance

ParkNickelodeon UniverseDreamWorks Water ParkDiggerland USASix Flags Great AdventureHurricane Harbor New JerseyLand of Make Believe and Pirate’s CoveSteel Pier
LocationEast Rutherford, NJEast Rutherford, NJWest Berlin, NJJackson Township, NJJackson Township, NJHope, NJAtlantic City, NJ
Ticket Cost~$60–$100+ per wristband depending on date~$70–$120+ day passes or bundles~$40–$70+ per guest depending on season~$50–$100+ dynamic single-day admission~$40–$80+ depending on date and demand~$30–$50+ per personFree admission; pay-per-ride or game credits
AttractionsIndoor coasters, family rides, character-themed attractionsMassive indoor water park, slides, wave pools, lazy riverConstruction-themed rides, real equipment operation, water attractionsMajor roller coasters, safari, family rides, thrill attractionsWater slides, wave pools, lazy river, cabanasKiddie rides, fairy tale theme park, small water park (Pirate’s Cove)Ferris wheel, boardwalk rides, arcade games, family attractions
Onsite RV Parking?NoNoNoNoNoNoNo

Why Visit a New Jersey Amusement Park in an RV?

  • Staying in an RV allows you to save money on hotel costs and on food.
  • Quickly move from one part of the state to another to enjoy several amusement parks in one trip. 
  • Combine both amusement park fun and outdoor adventures.

Nickelodeon Universe

Have a Nickelodeon fanatic in your travel party? Like the colorful characters yourself? If so, Nickelodeon Universe in East Rutherford is a must-see while in New Jersey.

Not only will you get to ride some awesome Nickelodeon-themed rides, you’ll also get a chance to meet some of your favorite Nickelodeon friends! Best of all, this park is entirely indoorsβ€”in fact, it’s one of the largest indoor theme parks out thereβ€”meaning bad weather is no problem at all.

Stand-Out Features

  • Aang’s Air Gliders
  • Jimmy Neutron’s Atom Smasher
  • Pup Pup and Away (Paw Patrol-themed Ferris wheel)
  • Boots’ Banana Swing
  • Paw Patrol Adventure Bay play area
  • Rugrats Reptar Go-Round
  • Character meet-and-greets
  • Slime Zone playground
  • Slime Stage performances

RV Camping Near Nickelodeon Universe

Nickelodeon Universe is a big park, meaning you’re likely to be pretty worn out after spending a day there. Not only that, you might even find yourself wanting to spend a second day in the New Jersey amusement park. Fortunately, there are plenty of lodging options around. Our favorite? The local RV parks, of course!

Try this campground:

DreamWorks Water Park

Located right by Nickelodeon Universe, the DreamWorks Water Park is another excellent stop for families with kids. This is the largest indoor waterpark in North America and plays host to some record-breaking slides. Additionally, it is chock-full of DreamWorks characters for an added layer of fun. 

Stand-Out Features

  • Thrillagascar
  • Jungle Jammer
  • DreamWorks Dream Runner
  • Bowl slides
  • Body slides
  • Multi-person tube slides
  • Race slides
  • Themed water slides
  • Penguins Frozen Fun Zone
  • Six kid-friendly slides
  • Kung Fu Panda Temple of Awesomeness
  • Multi-level play structure
  • Interactive water features

RV Camping Near DreamWorks Water Park

Obviously, you will want to rest up after a day at this amazing waterpark. Our recommendation? Bring an RV. You’ll be comfortable in your own space and better able to get a good night’s rest for another day of vacation fun. 

Try this campground:

Diggerland USA

Perhaps one of the most unique theme parks out there, Diggerland USA in West Berlin is a toddler’s dream come true. This park is all about construction trucks and allows truck-obsessed little ones to live out all of their construction truck wishes. 

Stand-Out Features

  • Spin Dizzy
  • Big Diggers
  • Construction truck rides
  • Construction truck operating experiences
  • Lazy river
  • Water slides
  • Construction-themed water playground
  • Water obstacle courses

RV Camping Near Diggerland USA

Wondering where you’re going to rest after a day of exploring the amazing Diggerland USA? Be sure to take your RV along and you won’t have anything to worry about. There are a few great campgrounds around, so finding a place to park should be a cinch. 

Try this campground:

Six Flags Great Adventure

Six Flags parks are always a good bet when looking for amusement parks to visit, and Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson is no exception. This park has all the thrills one would expect from a Six Flags park, as well as plenty of family rides and some rides for the kiddos. Pretty much anyone who visits is sure to have a good time here. 

Stand-Out Features

  • BATMAN The Ride
  • Green Lantern coaster
  • Kingda Ka
  • Big Wheel Ferris wheel
  • Buccaneer pirate ship ride
  • Carousel
  • Bugs Bunny Ranger Pilots
  • Miniature zoo
  • Animal exhibits
  • Live entertainment

RV Camping Near Six Flags Great Adventure

Of course, you will need a place to call home during your visit. Bringing your RV takes care of this, and finding a place to park it near Six Flags is not a problem. In fact, there are a few great RV parks around. 

Try this campground:

Hurricane Harbor New Jersey

Looking for outdoor water park fun? Hurricane Harbor New Jersey can offer just that. Like all other Hurricane Harbor locations, this park has a wide variety of slides and water attractions. This is great because it means the whole family can have an awesome time together, no matter their ages. 

Stand-Out Features

  • Big Wave Racer mat slides
  • Cannonball body slide
  • Wahini body slide
  • Jurahnimo Falls body slide
  • Hurricane Mountain tube slides
  • Tornado multi-person tube slide
  • Big Bambu raft ride
  • Reef Runner raft ride
  • Discovery Bay
  • Caribbean Cove
  • Kids’ slides
  • Wave pool
  • Lazy river

RV Camping Near Hurricane Harbor New Jersey

Hurricane Harbor is located very Near Six Flags Great Adventure. Therefore, you could totally stay in the RV park we listed above. That said, that campground is not the only option. If you’d prefer to look elsewhere, you might consider the park below. 

Try this campground:

Land of Make Believe and Pirates Cove

Rated one of the top amusement parks in New Jersey by a variety of publications, Land of Make Believe and their Pirate’s Cove waterpark are wonderful places to enjoy a day or two with the family. The focus of these parks is giving parents wonderful places to play with their kids, and the folks that run the place have done an incredible job. 

Stand-Out Features

  • Tumbling Timbers
  • Off Road Safari Adventure
  • Scream Machine 360
  • Rockin’ Tug
  • Train ride
  • Carousel
  • Red Baron plane ride
  • Dixie Car ride
  • Jump Around Frog
  • Pirate’s Cove
  • Blackbeard’s Pirate Ship
  • Pirate’s Cove Wading Pool
  • Blackbeard’s Pirate Fort
  • Water slides
  • Lazy river

RV Camping Near Land of Make Believe and Pirates Cove

RV camping is the way to go when visiting this theme park. By doing so, you can add a good dose of camping fun into your already amazing getaway and make it an absolutely epic vacation that will be remembered for years to come. On top of that, you can rest assured you’ll be 100% comfortable the entire time. 

Try this campground

Steel Pier

No trip to New Jersey is complete without visiting at least one of the many pier amusement parks there, and this is where Steel Pier comes into play. Located in Atlantic City, this iconic amusement park is 1,000 feet long and chock-full of fun and excitement. 

Stand-Out Features

  • The Wheel (giant Ferris wheel)
  • Freedom Flyer
  • Kiddie rides
  • Family rides
  • Thrill rides
  • Boardwalk games
  • Basketball games
  • Shooting games
  • Prize games

RV Camping Near Steel Pier

Wondering where you’ll head after a long day of enjoying the sights and sounds of the boardwalk? Why not return to your very own home-on-wheels? Bringing your RV along means you’ll have a comfortable place to stay as you explore the great state of New Jersey. 

Try this campground:

Tips for an Amazing New Jersey Amusement Park Trip

  • Visit on weekdays or arrive early to enjoy shorter wait times.
  • Purchase tickets online in advance to save money and skip ticket lines.
  • Pack sunscreen, comfortable shoes, and refillable water bottles for a full day at the park.
  • Check each park’s ride height requirements, show schedules, and weather forecast before your visit.

New Jersey Amusement Parks: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the biggest amusement park in New Jersey?

Six Flags Great Adventure is the largest amusement park in New Jersey. It features dozens of rides, including roller coasters, family attractions, and a safari park, making it one of the largest theme parks in the United States.

Which New Jersey amusement parks are best for young children?

Families with young kids often enjoy Storybook Land for its gentle rides and fairy tale theme or Nickelodeon Universe for its character-themed attractions.

When is the best time to visit New Jersey amusement parks?

Late spring through early fall is the main amusement park season. For the shortest lines and the most comfortable weather, consider visiting on weekdays in May, early June, or September. If you prefer longer operating hours and special events, summer weekends offer the fullest experience, but they are also the busiest times.

Want something to do that doesn’t have to do with rollercoasters and boardwalk games? Why not add some different kinds of fun into your trip? There are tons of great things to do in New Jersey and some of the best ideas are found in the articles linked below: