Brickbuilders, rejoice! After a year-long delay, the LEGOLAND New York Resort has opened its gates in Goshen, just an hour’s drive from the city. Whether you have a DUPLO stacker or a master builder, LEGOLAND’s attractions are sure to delight and inspire both the young and young-at-heart.
Spread over seven “lands” arranged in an easy-to-navigate circuit, the park offers rides, shows, experiences, and activities for different ages and interests. Hot tip: Download the LEGOLAND NY map before you go, so you can plan the perfect day trip with your family.
Here is what you need to know, along with some tips to maximize your fun during your visit.
7 Can’t-Miss Highlights at LEGOLAND NY
1. The LEGO Factory Adventure Ride
In Bricktopia, hop aboard the LEGO Factory Adventure Ride and watch as you are shrunken into a minifigure. This is a digital experience exclusive to LEGOLAND NY. Bonus: While you’re waiting on line, you get to take a trip through time with displays of LEGO sets from the past. A must-do for serious brick lovers.
2. The Build & Test Area
Also located in the land of Bricktopia, in the Build & Test Area, you can create a LEGO tower and watch it shaken by a simulated earthquake, or build a car and see how fast it goes.
3. LEGO NINJAGO: The Ride
NINJAGO fans won’t want to miss the LEGO NINJAGO: The Ride. The highlight of LEGO Ninjago World, it’s a unique, interactive game experience that immerses you in the Ninjago universe and allows you to compete for points by testing out your own ninja hand moves.
4. The Dragon Roller Coaster
In the land of the LEGO Castle, experience the rush of a classic roller coaster. This one is called The Dragon, and it does not disappoint. There is also a Dragon’s Apprentice ride for those who don’t meet The Dragon’s 42-inch height requirement.
5. Driving School
In LEGO City land, kids can get behind the wheel of their very own LEGO car at Driving School, and are even given a LEGO license upon exit. Driving School has cars for ages 6-13, while Junior Driving School serves ages 3-5.
6. Pirate Land
While there are no waterslides, and no need to pack your suits, Pirate Land offers opportunities to feel a spray—which might be welcomed, depending on how high the temperature gets on the day of your visit. Shoot water directly at your companions from a pirate ship in the Splash Battle, or position yourself strategically to get soaked by button-controlled geysers. Full-body blow dryers are on hand, too, although they were not yet in service on the day of our visit.
7. MINILAND
MINILAND is the heart of the LEGOLAND experience, and visitors of all ages will be wowed by the models of famous architecture rendered in many thousands of tiny LEGO bricks. The display is extensive, including classic wonders like the Sydney Opera House and Big Ben, as well as a thoughtful selection of architectural highlights from each of New York’s five boroughs. The nearby town of Goshen is represented, too. Guided tours are available several times daily if you want to learn more about some of the buildings.
Other Activities at LEGOLAND New York Resort
LEGOLAND runs live programming in the different lands throughout the day, so check the schedule posted near the entrance when you first arrive. These presentations include music and dance, and, of course, no theme park would be complete without life-sized characters! There are also frequent showings of a short LEGO film at the 4-D theater, which might be a good way to escape rainy or sweltering weather.
Brick collectors can bring their own minifigures from home, or purchase new ones at any of the numerous gift shops, and trade them in at Minifigure Trading Stations located throughout the park to add to their collections. Minifigures must be LEGO brand, and include a head, torso, and legs.
LEGOLAND NY’s Food Options
You are allowed to bring in some foods: bottled water, small lunch snacks, and meals that do not require heating, along with baby food and formula. Make sure everyone has their own water bottle—refilling stations are located throughout the park, and you will want to stay hydrated in the ample sun!
You’ll probably want to purchase additional food items, though. There are food options in all seven lands, serving kid-friendly fare, so there’s sure to be a palatable option for every young member of your party. Park classics like hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken tenders, fries, popcorn, and soft pretzels are widely available. There are also fast food-style Chinese and Italian offerings. Granny’s Apple Fries are a LEGOLAND original. I did manage to build myself a salad at Brickbeard’s Food Market, but other fresh options were harder to come by. Also note that the giant slushies in collectible cups, while a tempting way to beat the heat, are a steep $15 a pop!
There is a Lavassa coffee machine serving cappuccinos, americanos, and other espresso-based drinks in the Brick Street Cafe near the park entrance. I was happy to pay $5 for a cup of European-quality coffee!
Accessibility at LEGOLAND NY
LEGO has worked to make the park accessible for all visitors. The park is laid out to be accessible by wheelchair and Electronic Conveyance Vehicle, which are available for rent at Guest Services. Check out this handy guide to gauge the accessibility of each attraction.
There are also Quiet Rooms in Guest Services and the DUPLO Baby Care Center featuring dimmable lights and sensory swings “for those who may need a calm respite from the day.” You can fill out this ADA form in advance of your visit to request accommodations specific to your situation.
Service animals are permitted in the park, but not on rides. It is possible to receive a free Carer ticket for a person who assists an individual with a disability.
Other Things to Know About LEGOLAND New York Resort
If you’ve been to a new park before, you know that shade is often a concern. LEGOLAND is dotted with trees, but they’re all still saplings at this point and aren’t going to help you beat the heat. Most rides have some portion of their line covered for shade, but you’ll definitely want to apply sunscreen, use hats, and perhaps even bring an umbrella or wear UPF clothing to protect you from the sun.
Guest safety is clearly a priority at LEGOLAND. Many rides require an employee to check each safety bar or belt before the ride can begin, and then to release each one once the ride is over, which can make for longer wait times.
For many rides, the exit is through a gift shop. Opportunities to shop for LEGO bricks, kits, and merch abound, so it’s worth having the conversation with your kids about what they are allowed to purchase, and when, before you arrive. That said, the prices are the same as you would pay for LEGO sets elsewhere, and there are some unique items, like LEGO sets of LEGOLAND itself, and thematic extra pieces bags, that you can’t get elsewhere.
Covid-19 Safety Considerations
In order to reduce crowding, tickets are timed entry, and annual pass holders need to make a reservation to enter the park. LEGOLAND is cashless in order to allow for contact-free payments. Certain attractions may be temporarily closed due to safety concerns. Unvaccinated visitors are asked to wear a mask. Hand sanitizer is available throughout the park, and water fountains are for refilling bottles only.
Want to Visit New York’s LEGOLAND?
Where is LEGOLAND New York located?
LEGOLAND New York is located at 1 LEGOLAND Blvd., Goshen.
How can I get to LEGOLAND NY?
Located in the Hudson Valley, LEGOLAND New York is accessible by car. It is a little over an hour drive from Manhattan. You can buy a $20 parking ticket online before your trip, or pay a higher price when you exit the parking lot after your visit.
Several Coach buses also depart from Port Authority every day to take guests to LEGOLAND NY and back. You can purchase bus tickets online.
What are LEGOLAND’s hours?
The LEGO theme park is open daily, 10am-7pm, through Sept. 6. Starting Sept 9, it’s open Monday, Thursday-Friday, 10am-5pm, and Saturday-Sunday, 10am-6pm. LEGOLAND will be closed Nov. 15-19. You can access the calendar here.
The LEGOLAND Hotel opens Aug. 6, and you can book vacation packages online.
How much are LEGOLAND New York tickets?
Day passes are $79.99; $69.99 for children ages 3-12. Look out for promotional codes when you purchase LEGOs.
Can I buy annual passes?
Yes. Annual passes are $229.99 per person and include free parking and other perks.
Is LEGOLAND NY on social media?
You can find LEGOLAND on Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube.
For more information, visit LEGOland.com/new-york.
