7 Amusement Parks to Check Out In and Around Westchester
One of our favorite things to do over the summer is to enjoy nearby attractions and amusement parks – and Westchester and the surrounding area – has plenty to enjoy! From waterparks to dry rides to rides for younger and older kids, you’ll find something for everyone in this roundup of cool amusement parks.
Playland: The ultimate Westchester amusement park, Playland that has been around since 1928! Opening for the season on June 9th, you and your family can enjoy everything from kiddie rides to thrill rides. Make a day at Rye by enjoying post-ride adventures at the nearby Westchester Children’s Museum, Rye boardwalk, and Rye beach. 1 Playland Parkway, Rye, NY 10580.
LEGOLAND: Enjoy a short trip to Goshen, New York with a visit to LEGOLAND. Your kids will love all of the rides and attractions where you can visit different LEGO worlds such as LEGO Castle. LEGO City, LEGO Pirates, and more. Each world has different age-appropriate rides like the Brick Party (Merry Go Round) for all ages, Driving School where kids ages 6-13 can drive around a track in a LEGO car, or the Anchors Away swinging pirate ship ride. There are also some indoor rides where you can go to beat the heat like LEGO Ninjago The Ride, Palace Cinema for a movie, or their building center. Miniland is quite a sight to see as you marvel at the construction of the LEGO bricks into 10 destinations around the US, including an impressive model of NYC and its many neighborhoods. With so much to do and see, you might want to stay the night at the LEGOLAND Hotel, which includes LEGO-themed rooms, a pool, children’s entertainment, and of course an awesome location right next to LEGOLAND. One Legoland Blvd, Goshen, NY 10924.
Quassy Amusement & Waterpark: Take a trip to Middebury, Connecticut for a visit to Quassy Amusement & Waterpark. The park includes dry and wet rides for all ages, including kiddie rides, family rides, and thrill-seeking rides for older kids. For a hot summer day, you’ll definitely want to check out the Splash Away Bay waterpark at Quassy with tunnel-twisting water rides, extreme bodyslides, or maybe just the calm fish pond. In between rides, you’ll also enjoy tons of games and of course food with an on-site sit down restaurant and kiosks to grab a sweet treat. 2132 Middlebury Road, Middlebury, CT 06762.
Lake Compounce: For another Connecticut adventure, check out Lake Compounce and their exciting amusement park with kiddie rides, thrill rides, and water rides. The classic kiddie rides include favorites like the Ferris Wheel, Carousel, Flying Elephants, and much more. Older kids will love the roller coasters and thrill rides like the Rev-O-Lution, which spins 360 degrees or the Down Time that goes up and drops down 60 miles per hour. There are also tons of events going on throughout the season, including the Bites and Pints Food Festival on June 4th and live entertainment every Saturday and Sunday. You can also extend your time at Lake Compounce by staying in a cabin at the Lake Compounce Campground. 185 Enterprise Drive, Bristol, CT 06010.
SplashDown Beach: A quick drive from Westchester, SplashDown Beach is a great way to cool down. Dubbed as “America’s biggest little water park,” SplashDown Beach features 15 water rides and a beach area where Justin Bieber once performed. The rides range from calm to thrilling such as the coconut pool to the zero gravity experience called The Megalodon. There are also plenty of options for food, including Mexican, waffles, pizza, shakes, and Nathan’s. 16 Old Route 9 W, Fishkill, NY 12524.
Diggerland: Have a construction lover at home? Then, you’ve got to check out Diggerland, a waterpark and amusement park dedicated to construction and building! This includes dump truck rides, farm tractors, bumper cars, wave pool, and more. 100 Pinedge Drive, West Berlin, NJ 08091.
Nickelodeon Universe at American Dream: For some indoor fun, visit the Nickelodeon Universe at American Dream with rides for all ages. In addition to the rides, you might also see live characters as well as special events like glow in the dark twilight riding. Other experiences include blacklight mini golf, DreamWorks waterpark, LEGOLAND, and much more. And since you’re in the mall, make a day out of it with shopping, food, or ride on the Dream Wheel with stunning views of the Manhattan skyline. 1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, NJ 07073.