Location: Brooklyn, New York Years Active: 1920 – Active Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park isn’t your sleek, modern amusement park. It’s Coney Island through and through – a little gritty, a little old-school, and that’s the charm. The Wonder Wheel itself is a New York City landmark, the kind of place where generations have made…
Location: New York, New York Years Active: 2003 – Active Step back in time! Victorian Gardens Amusement Park has been a Central Park tradition since 2003. This isn’t your standard theme park – it’s a slice of history with a dash of thrill. The ornate details and classic rides clash beautifully with the towering city…
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico Years Active: 1969 – Active Love it or fear it, nuclear science changed the world. The National Museum of Nuclear Science in Albuquerque puts you face-to-face with that legacy. It’s a raw, sometimes disturbing look at the atom– from the bombs that leveled cities to the reactors that may save our…
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico Years Active: 1927 – Active The ABQ BioPark Zoo is a must-visit. It’s got polar bears, snakes, elephants – you name it! This place isn’t just about staring at animals, though. They make learning about conservation fun. Plus, it’s right by the Rio Grande, which is a great place to chill…
Location: Sunland Park, New Mexico Years Active: 1960 – Active Western Playland ain’t Disney World, and that’s exactly why locals love it. This New Mexico gem has been serving up scrappy, old-fashioned fun since 1960. It’s got that classic boardwalk grit mixed with a dose of Southwest kitsch. Think rattly roller coasters, cheesy Western decor,…
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico Years Active: 1959 – Active Cliff’s Amusement Park is where the magic of childhood meets a splash of desert grit. Forget perfectly polished rides – the ones here have stories to tell. The New Mexico Rattler rattles your bones with a nostalgic grin, and the Cliff Hanger leaves you breathless (and…
Location: Sussex, New Jersey Years Active: 1927 – Active Space Farms Zoo isn’t your average animal park. It’s been around since 1927, way back when farmer Ralph Space decided his place needed more than cows. Now it sprawls across Sussex, New Jersey, filled with way more wildlife than you’d expect from a farm. This place…
Location: West Orange, New Jersey Years Active: 1963 – Active Turtle Back Zoo is a real throwback. It’s got the animals, but everything else is delightfully unpredictable. You might catch the lions napping, or get front-row seats to a roaring match. That’s part of the fun. They’ve got the zoo classics – big cats, giraffes,…
Location: Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey Years Active: 1955 – Active Storybook Land… it’s the kind of place that makes you smile, even if some of those storybook scenes are looking a little faded. This New Jersey park has been making kids happy since 1955. Don’t expect mind-blowing thrills – think gentle, old-fashioned fun. Cinderella’s…
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Years Active: 1990 – Active Forget boring museums! The Discovery Children’s Museum in Vegas is an explosion of hands-on learning and pure energy. Kids get to splash in a water science zone, build their own eco-friendly city, and discover endless ways to make a giant (awesome) mess. This isn’t about staring…
