Amusement Park Day Trips For Your Family This Summer

The characters of Sesame Street dancing through the streets at Sesame Place.

Day trips to the amusement parks are full of rides, greasy foods, and great memories with family and friends. Hear the roar of the coasters and the laughs from your kids as they take on the rides. This summer take your family to some of the great amusement parks that are close to New York City!

Hershey Park (Hershey, PA)
As soon as you step into the park, it is a candy wonderland! Your height is based off different types of candies, deciphering between which rides are appropriate for you and your family. Start your journey into Hershey Park with Chocolate World. You will get to experience the art of making the delicious candy! The park includes roller coasters for the daredevils of the family, entertainment, and rides for the kids. Hershey Park is packed with games, rides, and of course, candy! Approximately 3 hours from New York City; hersheypark.com

Six Flags Great Adventure (Jackson, NJ)
Just outside of New York, Six Flags Great Adventure is a perfect place for a day of family fun. Watch as your children ride around the Bugs Bunny Camp Carousel or ride on Daffy’s Hot Air Balloons. For those who enjoy thrillers, take flight on Superman’s Ultimate Flight or ride on El Toro. Six Flags also holds character meet and greets, and character dance parties! Approximately 1 hour from New York City; sixflags.com/greatadventure

Dorney Park (Allentown, PA)
A day spent with family is priceless! Dorney Park has many attractions suitable for all different riders. Take a family ride on Cedar Creek Cannonball, an old steam engine, or make your way over to Planet Snoopy. Planet Snoopy is specifically for children. Woodstock’s Wagon Wheel is a miniature Ferris Wheel. There is a ride for everyone over at Dorney Park. Approximately an hour and a half from New York City; dorneypark.com

Adventureland (Farmingdale, NY)
Enjoy a day at Long Island’s amusement park. The Haunted House, flying high into the sky on the swings, and playing in the arcade all mix together to create a day of family fun. Approximately 1 hour from New York City; adventureland.us

Sesame Place (Langhorne, PA)
Sesame Street characters come to life at Sesame Place creating an experience your children will not forget. Watch your children spin in Cookie Monster’s cookie, fly on Elmo’s fish, and slide down Snuffy’s slide. Sesame Place offers a neighborhood street party with characters and a concert that includes Elmo, Bert and Ernie, Zoe, and Cookie Monster! Approximately an hour and a half from New York City; sesameplace.com/langhorne

Quassy Amusement Park
With over 20 rides, how can you not have fun? Quassay covers all the basics, kiddie, family, thrillers, and water rides. If the Wooden Roller coaster is too intimidating, take on the little dipper with your little one! Quassay Park has been around for decades creating a historic site to enjoy with your family. Approximately 2 hours from New York City; quassy.com

Luna Park (Coney Island, NY)
Home of the iconic wooden Cyclone, Coney Island’s Luna Park is filled with rides, games, and food. Children can enjoy the Big Top Express and the Mermaid Parade. Soar through the sky like an Eagle on the Soarin’ Eagle and drop from the Coney Tower freefall. The historic Nathan’s is just down the block too famous for its hot dogs! Approximately 25 minutes from New York City; lunaparknyc.com

Lake Compounce (Bristol, CT)
Much has changed since first opening in 1846. Spending millions on rides and attractions, this park has come a long way! A miniature pirate ship for the kiddies along with an antique carousel and flying elephants will give a joy to everyone. Enjoy the day riding the Boulder Dash and the Wild Cat for those seeking thrills. There is enough here to keep you and your family busy all day! Approximately 2 hours from New York City; lakecompounce.com

Playland (Rye, NY)
There are an abundance of rides and attractions at Playland. Children will love the rides in Kiddyland! The House of Mirrors and the Music Express are rides that your whole family can enjoy together! The Dragon Coaster attracts the thrill seekers with a 128-foot drop. Enjoy all that this park has to offer this summer! Approximately 1 hour from New York City; ryeplayland.org

Dutch Wonderland (Lancaster,PA)
Take your family into space with Astroliner! Dutch Wonderland has story time with Princess Brooke and an adventure show of A Dragon’s Tale. Designed for young children, this park will keep you and your little ones busy! Approximately 3 hours from New York City; dutchwonderland.com

Color Me Mine

Color Me Mine Upper West Side proudly stands as a minority woman-owned studio, and we've been an integral part of the Color Me Mine franchise system since 2018! Pottery painting isn't just an activity; it's a captivating and inclusive experience that transcends age and skill levels. At Color Me Mine Upper West Side, we extend a warm invitation to dive into a realm of creativity, self-expression, and connection. Families, friends and teams grow stronger bonds when they create memories together, and at Color Me Mine, we're here to help facilitate those moments. Whether you're seeking a delightful family outing, a unique date night, or a solo adventure, our paint-your-own-pottery studio offers boundless possibilities. Step into our welcoming space in the heart of Lincoln Center and unleash your inner artist. Create unforgettable memories as you craft beautiful ceramic masterpieces to cherish for many years to come. Color Me Mine Upper West Side is also the preferred venue for celebrations of all kinds. Whether you're planning a birthday party, a baby or bridal shower, a team-building event, a gathering for college groups, an enriching field trip, or an adventure with scouts, we've got you covered. Our versatile space and passionate team provides the perfect setting for creating unforgettable memories and fostering creativity in every guest. Join us at Color Me Mine Upper West Side, at 177 Amsterdam Avenue in New York City where every visit promises a fun journey of color, joy, and artistic exploration!

Manhattan Mandarin

Manhattan Mandarin runs the Mandarin after-school programs at over 40 schools nationwide, including St. Bernard's, Chapin, Allen-Stevenson, and Buckley. Whether in schools, students' homes, in the office, online, or on our beloved China trips, our teachers and tutors have helped hundreds of students of all ages master the Mandarin language on their own unique paths to fluency. Our philosophy has always been to make private lessons and classes perfectly tailored for each individual student. We look forward to working with you. - Jamie Keyte, Founder

Chickenshed NYC

Chickenshed is an inclusive theatre company that began in the UK in 1974. Chickenshed NYC is a young organization bringing that same ethos and unique methodology to the USA. Chickenshed&rsquo;s mission is to create entertaining and outstanding theatre that celebrates diversity and inspires positive change. Chickenshed's model of Inclusive Theatre is based in the belief that everyone can flourish when everyone is included. At Chickenshed everyone is welcome, everyone is valued, and together we produce remarkable theatre. We want to break down barriers between people to create a world without labels and where differences no longer divide. At Chickenshed, support is given to those who need it, and given by those who can . We believe that creative activities, self-expression and performance should be available to anyone who has the desire, no matter their background or circumstances. We know that when everyone has the opportunity to shine, amazing things happen. Chickenshed NYC provides programming for little ones, children and youth through semester-long activities and performances.