New York Amusement Parks are More Than Just Roller Coasters

Having fun in New York City is an easy job, especially for kids. New York amusement parks offer so much to do, making it almost impossible to narrow down possibilities to a finite list. For those who have no idea where to start, here are some suggestions.

There’s no way to talk about fun places to go without mentioning Coney Island. It is like no other theme park in the sense that it is not a single corporate-owned facility, but instead a scattered collection of privately-owned and operated attractions. Think of it as a quirky un- theme park that offers a wide variety of experiences topped off with a big slice of Americana. Next door to Coney Island is Brighton Beach, the Aquarium, and on the tip of the island is the classic 1927 roller coaster, the Cyclone, that coaster enthusiasts still rate as one of the world’s best.

If you want to experience something a little different, nothing beats a visit to Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Odditorium and Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum together on 42nd Street. Or, check out the World War II aircraft carrier, the USS Intrepid, which is now the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum. Take a guided tour of the supersonic Concorde or drop down the hatchway for a look through the retired nuclear submarine USS Growler.

There is only one true Liberty Enlightening the World and her statue stands in New York Harbor, though replicas in her honor are displayed worldwide. Take a short ride towards New Jersey and stand in the great hall at Ellis Island where so many immigrants passed through to America. Browse through the American Family Immigration History Center’s database and see if a family member is listed.

Finally, any list of New York amusement parks is incomplete without Central Park. From the restored Carousel, Zoo, and Conservatory, to the unmatched trio of the Guggenheim, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the American Museum of Natural History, Central Park offers enough amusement and cultural enlightenment to last for several lifetimes. Sail a boat, ice skate, and experience a marionette show or maybe a performance of Shakespeare in the Park. These wondrous places in New York City have everything you could ask for.