A trip to a local amusement park in or near New Jersey is always high on my vacation bucket list, and we're lucky that New Jersey and nearby states offer lots of family-friendly amusement park adventures. 

Whether you're hoping to catch ocean views and sandy beaches at the Jersey Shore's boardwalk amusement parks, like Casino Pier and Castaway Cove, or you are dreaming of high-velocity thrill rides at mega parks like Six Flags Great Adventure, here are the best amusement parks to visit this summer. 

New this year: The groundbreaking Edelman Fossil Park and Museum, which is slated to open in summer 2024. 

Find more wild rides in our Guide to Water and Amusement Parks, and read on for dozens of amusement parks in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania that are perfect for thrill-seekers of all ages.

If you're looking for amusement parks for toddlers and preschoolers near NYC, there's no need to seek out the latest scary high-tech roller coasters. For young children, a ride on a carousel’s painted pony, a spin with dad around the bumper car track, and a dripping swirl of frozen custard are the stuff summer memories are made of. 

Happily, several amusement and water parks in or near the New York City metro area offer these kinds of tame attractions. Here's our roundup of theme parks perfect for the pint-sized.

Find more seasonal rides in our Theme and Water Parks Guide for families.

Visiting the Top of the Rock observation deck is on many tourists' must-do lists, but even locals should put it on their bucket lists. Even if you feel like you've already been there, seen that view, now is a good time to revisit this classic NYC attraction, thanks to the addition of The Beam, a thrilling telescoping ride that lifts you 12-feet above the observation deck for an unobstructed look at the panorama of the city below.

While NYC has five observation decks, each presents its own unique experience and perspective, including Top of the Rock. Here's what you can expect during your visit to the observation deck, plus more things to do in the action-packed Rockefeller Center campus it calls home, whether you visit during the twinkling holiday season or at another time of year.

Traveling with children can be chaotic and stressful, be there's something you can buy that will make any family vacation easier: kids' luggage. Giving children their own travel luggage gets them involved in the travel process, boosts their independence, and even makes packing a little more fun.

But it's important to choose the right kids' luggage. The best travel luggage for kids is durable, is appropriately sized, and has child-friendly features like fun designs and smooth wheels.

Here are our picks for the best kids' luggage, plus advice on what to look for in luggage for kids. Find more great travel gear for children, from road trip essentials to top travel games, in our Ultimate Road Trip Guide for Families.

The best Bluey episodes plus show-inspired snacks and games for an easy family night in that everyone will love.

Absolutely hilarious, heart-warming, and oh-so-relatable, if there’s one show that’ll have your entire house happily huddled around the TV, Bluey is undoubtedly it.

Recently–and unsurprisingly–named the most-streamed series across all audiences,* kids love Bluey for its exceptional storytelling, while grownups appreciate the honest portrayal of modern parenting—plus thoughtful solutions to some very common dilemmas. It’s that perfect balance that makes it a great show for families to sit down and watch together. Not only is it laugh-out-loud funny (and sometimes dry-your-eyes touching), but it lends itself to wonderful teachable moments too.

While all three seasons of of Bluey are streaming on Disney+, we’ve picked out some of our all time favorite episodes to watch as a family, plus suggestions for Bluey-inspired snacks and games that will make your night in extra special.

If you don’t have Disney+, you can sign up here.

I love the subway. It’s one of the best parts of living in New York. You won’t convince me otherwise. For the cost of a MetroCard swipe, I can give my children a world of experiences—including viewing a collection of impressive NYC subway art!

When my children were little, they loved looking out the train windows. As they got older, reading the ads delighted them. Now, we revel in the stations themselves for their wealth of free subway art, culture, and conversation. So, next time you swipe your MetroCard, take note: We've rounded up the best NYC subway art to see with kids below. Of course, if you're searching for a more traditional art gallery experience, we've got tons of kid-friendly picks in our NYC Kids Guide to Museums, Galleries, and Exhibits.

What to do with all those strawberries you just picked at strawberry picking farms or strawberry festivals near you? We pulled together our favorite family strawberry recipes to use up all that juicy, red sweetness. These easy strawberry recipes are written so that parents can do the prep work and leave the rest of the mixing, stirring, and baking up to the kids!

But wait! If you haven’t gone strawberry picking yet, don't worry. We know the best strawberry picking farms and strawberry festivals in Boston, Connecticut, New York, Westchester & the Hudson Valley, Long Island, Philadelphia, Houston, New Jersey, Chicago, Washington DC, Atlanta, Orlando, and Los Angeles. Now go get picking and baking!

Looking for more yummy (and quick) things to make with or for kids? Check out our Easy Recipes Guide.

New Jersey is teeming with picnic spots that kids of all ages can enjoy, so get your baskets and blankets ready. From majestic views and wooded trails to tranquil lakes and shaded playgrounds, these parkland treasures are worth a visit. 

For even more warm-weather activities, check out our Spring Fun Guide.