New York City Theme Parks
New York City offers many myriad attractions though it is not known to have many theme or amusement parks. Luckily for theme park enthusiasts who live or visit the New York City there are many such parks which are located within close proximity of New York City and are easily accessible via various modes of transport from the city.
Luna Park at Coney Island
Coney Island amusement park which is located on the southernmost tip of the borough of Brooklyn is New York City’s most prominent amusement park. This park which was founded in the late 1800’s is an iconic attraction in New York City. Since its inception the park was not owned by one single owner rather it was administered by a group of vendors who were responsible for operating the park. The amusement park at Coney Island in fact once offered more than 50 rides like the Cyclone roller coaster , an old world wooden roller coaster which is happens to be still in operation.
Over the years Coney Island offered a variety of amusement parks like the Steeplechase Park (1897-1964), Luna Park (1903-1946), and Dreamland (1904-1911) which all closed down or were phased out for one reason or another.The newest Luna Park at Coney Island which is based on the older Luna Park opened its doors on Memorial Day 2010 and replaced the Astroland amusement Park which was shuttered in 2008.
This new Luna Park offers rides like Air Race, Brooklyn Flyer, Electro Spin along with family rides like Balloon Expedition, Beach Shack, Circus Expedition and rides that geared for younger children like the Big Top Express and the Mermaid parade. Luna Park doesn’t charge any admission fees offers 19 rides, for the price of $3-5 per ride. Visitors to the park can choose to use the Luna Pak debit card to pay for a la carte rides or purchase an unlimited pay one price four-hour wristband for $26 which costs $30 on weekends and holidays. The park also sells a six hour pay one price wristband for $30 which rises to $34 on weekends and holidays.
Luna Park is easily accessible by the D, F, N, or Q trains of the New York Subway at the Coney Island Stillwell Avenue.
Victoria Gardens Amusement Park at Wollman Rink Central Park
This small amusement park is located within the leafy environs of Central Park in the heart of Manhattan. The dozen or so rides in this park are quite tame as they cater mainly to young children. The park additionally also offers live entertainment in the form of story-telling, magic shows, clowns and more. Victoria Gardens Amusement Park does charge an admission fee of $6.50 in addition to offering a pay one price unlimited wristband for $12 though single ride options are also available at $2 per ride. Victoria Gardens are open daily until mid- September. The Victoria Gardens Amusement Park is accessible via various lines of the New York City subway namely the A, B, C, D,1 lines at 59th Street and Columbus Circle, the Q at 57th Street and 7th Avenue, the F at 57th Street and 6th Avenue and the N,R,W trains at 59th Street and Fifth Avenue. The closest park entrance to the Victoria Gardens is the 59th Street and 6th Avenue entrance.
Adventureland
Adventureland is a medium sized amusement park which offers dry and wet rides along with rides that are geared towards the entire family and those which cater specifically to young children. Aside from these rides, the park also offers a games arcade, food and shopping opportunities in its Bavarian Village and an air conditioned restaurant that serves a variety of popular eats including gluten free pizza. The park doesn’t charge an admission fee but requires visitors to buy a pay one price wristband for $21.99 or choose the a la carte option by paying $3 to$5 a ride.
Adventureland is operated as a no smoking environment that additionally doesn’t allow pets on its premises. Adventureland is located at 2245 Route 110 Farmingdale NY 11735 and is accessible via approximately an hour’s drive from Manhattan.
Rye Playland
Rye Playland is the only government owned and operated theme park in the US which is administrated and run by the Westchester County. This old fashioned theme park offers unlimited rides for a reasonable $30 per person, with a $ 5 rebate for Westchester county residents and customers who enter the park after 6 p.m. Rye Playland offers rides that cater to all ages though the park also offers other entertainment options like mini-golf, lake boating and kayaking, a games arcade, a pool, beach and boardwalk and the ice casino which offers ice skating and hosts ice hockey college games. Rye Playland is accessible by train from New York City, the Metro-North New Haven line from Grand Central or Harlem-125th Street station to Rye.
Splish Splash Water Park
Splish Splash Water Park which is located in Riverhead Long Island is often ranked as one of the best water parks in America. Splish Splash Water Park offers much fun in the sun entertainment for all the family. This park which is located 60 miles east of New York City is easily accessible by car from the city.
Splish Splash offers a wide assortment of rides and slides like the Tunnel of Terror, the Cliff Diver, and Dragon’s den that cater to both toddlers and teens though many of the rides have height restrictions while others require toddlers to be accompanied by adults. The park which is open for the summer season offers season passes as well as daily admission passes both of which can be ordered online in advance of your visit to the park. Additionally rebates are offered for seniors and for toddlers under the height of 48”. The Park also offers cabana rentals for a charge of $100 per day.