Maryland

Summer 2025: Cool amusement parks in Delaware, Maryland & New Jersey

Published

10 months ago

June 10, 2025

Press Room

Summer 2025: Cool amusement parks in Delaware, Maryland & New Jersey

Locations include Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey.
Several amusement parks and water parks offer a variety of attractions for families and thrill-seekers.
Ticket prices and hours vary depending on the park and time of year.

This fast-moving year has brought its share of highs and lows. And you know what that means, right?

Maybe it’s a sign you’re overdue for a roller coaster ride?

If you think it’s the latter, here’s a look at seven can’t-miss amusements parks in Delaware, Maryland and New Jersey you and your kids might want to hit up this summer. These parks offer go-karting, crazy roller coasters and water slides, and so much more.

Great Wolf Lodge: Perryville, Maryland

Your pack can soak up the fun at Great Wolf Lodge’s 126,000-square-feet indoor water park where the temperature stays a perfect 84 degrees all year long. Guests can enjoy slides like the monster Twister Slide, which stretches 275 feet and features 360 loops, plus families/groups can go rafting.

Additionally, folks can kick back and float in the Lazy River. The “Otter Springs” offers a play pool for younger children that has several kid-friendly slides with tiny dips.

Great Wolf Lodge has a lot of non-water attractions such as an arcade, mini golf, bowling and a mining-themed mirror maze where you must find the exit. There’s an obstacle course that looks like something inspired by “America Ninja Warrior,” but on a smaller scale, and other cool attractions. Bear in mind, each attraction listed above are paid add-ons.

Amenities: There are several restaurants and food shops like Hungry As A Wolf, Dunkin’, Campfire Kitchen (breakfast food like waffles), Wood’s End Creamery, Barnwood and Timbers. Folks can buy grab-and-go sandwiches and drinks at the Freshwoods Market. The Pretzelmaker dishes up fresh pretzels. Adults will find alcoholic drinks at The Watering Hole.

Hours: Times vary, but the water park is normally open daily during the summer.

Admission/Tickets: The price for full-day and half-day passes vary throughout June to September (before Labor Day), ranging from around $48 to $100 per person. Half-day passes are cheaper and are typically available for weekdays, allowing guests to hang out from 4 p.m. to close. Kids aged 2 or younger get in free.

Lodging: Folks who want to stay the night can do so in one of the lodge suites. When you lodge at Great Wolf Lodge, your water park passes are included for each registered guest, according to the website.

The standard family suite includes two queen beds, full bath a TV and mini fridge. While the prices vary, the amount for a one-night stay for two adult guests and two kids (each over age 2) might start at around $369. There also are options for themed family suites that accommodate up to six to seven people, plus a premium option that accommodates up to 13 people. Address: Great Wolf Lodge (1240 Chesapeake Overlook Parkway, Perryville, Maryland).

Visit greatwolf.com/maryland or call (888) 983-9653.

Six Flags Great Adventure: Jackson, New Jersey

For decades, Six Flags has been a summer staple for adrenaline junkies; and the party hasn’t stopped. The amusement park boasts dozens of rides, games and activities, including your favorite hero and villain rides like The Flash: Vertical Velocity, The Joker, Wonder Woman Lasso of Truth, The Dark Knight Coaster and Super Man: Ultimate Flight.

Other notable experiences include the Wild Safari where guests cruise around in an open-air vehicle and discover epic animals, while learning about conservation efforts. Amenities: There’s over a dozen restaurants, bars and food spots for patrons include the Ale House, Best of the West, Primo’s Pizzeria on Main Street, Boardwalk Steak and Fries, Totally Kickin’ Chicken Sports Bar, Sugar Shack and Rita’s Italian Ice.

Hours: The park is usually open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Sept. 1, though hours vary.

Tickets: $39, one-day pass starts as low as that price. $75, season pass starts as low as that price.

Address: Six Flags Great Adventures (Six Flags Blvd., Jackson, New Jersey).

Visit sixflags.com/greatadventure or call (732) 928-2000.

Funland, Rehoboth Beach

This is an emotional year for some longtime Funland fans because owner Allen “Al” Fasnacht passed away in March. Yet, his legacy lives on in every smile and fun memory at Funland.

The iconic amusement park in Rehoboth Beach offers 20 rides and 11 games. Funland has entertained multiple generations of families since 1962.

Amenities: Snack bar and gift shop.

Hours: Open daily in the summer:

From June 7 to Aug. 23: Games open at 10 a.m., and Rides open at 1 p.m. Ticket booth closes at 10:15 p.m.

Aug. 24 to 28: Games and rides open at 1p.m. Ticket booth Closes at 9:15 p.m.

Aug. 29: Games and rides open at 1p.m. Ticket booth closes at 10:15 p.m.

Aug. 30 to 31: Games open at 10 a.m. Rides open at 1 p.m. Ticket booth closes at 10:15 p.m.

Sept. 1: Games open at 10 a.m. Rides open at 1 p.m. Ticket booth closes at 8:15 p.m.

Sept. 2 to 4: Park closed.

Sept. 5: Games and rides open at 6 p.m. Ticket booth closes at 9:15 p.m.

Sept. 6: Games and rides open at 1 p.m. Ticket booth closes at 10:15 p.m.

Sept. 7, last day of 2025 season: Games and rides open at 1 p.m. Ticket booth closes at 8:15 p.m.

Tickets: Single ticket is $0.75; 25 ticket book is $18.75; $50 ticket book is $33 and $100 ticket book is $55. The Unlimited Ride Wristband (1-4:30 p.m.) is $26.00. Unless you have the Unlimited Ride Wristband, the price of rides vary. Some are 1 ticket, others reach up to 6 tickets per ride. Address: Funland (6 Delaware Ave., Rehoboth Beach).

Visit funlandrehoboth.com or call (302) 227-1921

Jungle Jim’s, Rehoboth Beach

Delaware’s largest water park is where kids and parents will find a bunch of activities including giant water slides, a wave pool, kiddie pool, lazy river, activity pool, kid’s spray ground, and more.

But there’s more than just water here. There’s also a state-of-the-art batting cage system and two mini-golf courses with 18 holes each.

Amenities: River Safari Café and gift shop

Hours: Water park opens daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with twilight from 3 to 6 p.m.

Tickets: $50, all-day water park pass for people over 3½ feet; $35, all-day water park pass for people under 3½ feet; $250, water park season pass for people over 3½ feet; $175, water park season pass for people under 3½ feet.

Address: Jungle Jim’s (36944 Country Club Road, Rehoboth Beach)

Visit funatjunglejims.com or call (302) 227-8444.

Killens Pond State Park, Felton

For decades, kids have loved getting their feet wet at Killens Pond Water Park, a place that offers fun for all ages. The park features two speed slides and two spiral slides, a tot lot for little ones, and more.

Hours: The park is open through Labor Day, weekends only through mid-June, and weekends only mid-August through Labor Day. The park is open two sessions per day: 9 a.m. To 1:30 p.m., and 2 to 6 p.m.

Tickets: $8, people under 4 feet; $10 for people 4 feet and over. Weekend (Saturday and Sunday) and holiday rates are $10 for those under 4 feet tall; and $12 for people 4 feet or taller.

Address: Killens Pond (5025 Killens Pond Road, Felton).

Visit destateparks.com/waterpark or call (302) 284-4526.

Midway Speedway Park, Rehoboth Beach

Midway Speedway Park is a Rehoboth gem that offers four tracks across eight styles of go-kart racing. There’s also the White Water Mountain Water Park and Fire Mountain miniature golf. Not to mention, cool attractions on tap include Zip Zone Bumper Boats, or you can go on the water and play Splashing Bumper Boat Action.

Hours: Open daily, Go-karts and mini golf from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Water park is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Tickets: $59.99, includes one all-day water park and one round of mini golf, and four choice tickets to be used on any attraction; $200 for a water park season pass. A Single Ride ticket is $12. 1 game of mini golf is $15. For more prices, see website below.

Address: Midway Speed Waterpark (8645 Coastal Highway. Rehoboth Beach).

Visit midwayspeedwaypark.com or call (302) 644-2042.

Six Flags America: Bowie, Maryland

Folks have to make the most of their time at Six Flags America in Bowie this year, since the park is set to close permanently in November. The park boasts dozens of rides and games.

This year marks the return of SteamTown, the new steampunk-themed section of the park that launched in 2024, offering cool attractions like the QuantumCanyon Rapids, Professor Screamore’s SkyWinder roller coaster, Fillament’s SteamPub and more fun. There’s also the Hurricane Harbor waterpark, which is an additional fee.

Other notable rides and experiences include Harley Quinn Spinsanity roller coaster, the Halfpipe and Batwing Coaster.

Amenities: Over two dozen amenities are on tap like the Gotham City Funnel Cakes, Macho Nacho, Hurricane Hotdog, Heritage House Food Court, Calypso’s Bar and much more.

Hours: Daily hours are usually 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., though hours vary.

Tickets: One-day ticket starts at $29. Silver Pass is $59; Gold Pass is $69.

Address: Six Flags America (13710 Central Ave, Bowie, Maryland).

Visit sixflags.com/america or call (301) 249-1500.

If you have an interesting story idea, email lifestyle reporter Andre Lamar at alamar@gannett.com. Consider signing up for his weekly newsletter, DO Delaware, at delawareonline.com/newsletters.

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Maryland

Showers and falling temperatures across Maryland Friday

Published

6 hours ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

Showers and falling temperatures across Maryland Friday

Updated on: March 27, 2026 / 8:14 AM EDT
/ CBS Baltimore

A strong cold front crossing Maryland Friday will bring us a shock to the system. Temperatures will turn dramatically colder late Friday through Saturday.

Turning chilly, showery weather Friday across Maryland

Morning temperatures continue to fall across Maryland as a cold front crosses the state. You’ll need your umbrella at times Friday, but the day isn’t a washout. The greatest chance of rain is now through 10 a.m. Friday. There will be a pause in the shower activity late morning through early afternoon with cloudy skies, breezy, and chilly weather.

A second batch of showery weather will arrive after 2 p.m. and last through about 6 p.m. This second round of showers will be more focused for areas along and south of I-70. Showers will quickly taper off by early evening as temperatures continue to fall.

A few scattered snow flurries cannot be ruled out as the core of the cold air arrives late Friday evening. Overnight lows Friday into Saturday morning will fall into the lower 30s with wind-chills dropping into the 20s.

Weekend starts cold, but turns milder in Baltimore

Morning temperatures both Saturday and Sunday will start off in the lower 30s. Saturday will feel colder though with a gusty wind out of the northwest at 10 to 20 mph. Saturday will be the colder of the two weekend days with highs only in the upper 40s. The O’s game Saturday afternoon will feature chilly sunshine with temperatures in the middle 40s. You’ll need to dress for winter.

Sunday starts cold, but will turn milder during the afternoon. Look for a mostly sunny sky with winds turning gusty out of the southwest at 10 to 20 mph. Highs by Sunday afternoon will top out around 60°. The O’s game Sunday afternoon will still feel quite cool with the gusty breeze, so make sure you’re wearing a spring jacket, but also have the sunglasses.

Warmer, scattered storms possible in Maryland next week

Temperatures continue to warm up through the early part of next week as a chance of scattered rain returns to the forecast.

Clouds and a few showers will keep temperatures in the low to middle 70s on Monday. The warm front should lift north of the area on Tuesday allowing temperatures to warm into the lower 80s with mainly dry weather.

Wednesday’s temperatures will soar into the lower to middle 80s ahead of a strong cold front that arrives Wednesday evening. Showers and gusty thunderstorms will be possible late Wednesday into Wednesday night. Behind the cold front, temperatures will be cooler Thursday and Friday with the chance for showers.

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Maryland

Maryland high court rejects municipal climate change damages suit

Published

18 hours ago

March 26, 2026

Press Room

Maryland high court rejects municipal climate change damages suit

Maryland’s highest court on Tuesday dismissed several local government claims to recover damages against several large energy companies for harm created by climate change, finding that federal law preempts the case and state law does not support it.

The case dates to 2018, when the city of Baltimore filed a lawsuit against the energy companies, alleging that their decades-long activities contributed to climate-related damages to the city. Anne Arundel County and Annapolis filed similar lawsuits. After a number of procedural disputes over several years, in part over federal jurisdiction and venue, the case arrived in Maryland state courts and consolidated on appeal.

In a consolidated decision, Maryland’s Supreme Court upheld the dismissal of the local government suits against the energy companies. Plaintiffs had alleged that the companies contributed to climate change through the production and promotion of fossil fuels, asserting state law claims including public nuisance, trespass, and failure to warn.

The court determined that state claims were displaced by federal common law regarding interstate pollution and further preempted by federal legislation, including the Clean Air Act. According to the court, allowing state tort actions to go forward would interfere with a comprehensive federal regulatory scheme regarding greenhouse gases.

The court also found that even if these claims were not preempted, they would not succeed on other grounds. The court emphasized the difficulty in proving causation between large scale activity’s localized effects and concerns regarding the timing of the alleged injuries.

The decision is a substantial roadblock for state and local governments looking to recover costs related to climate change. It is also one in a growing line of case law that limits state court ability to address global emissions.

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Maryland

Gas prices surge in Maryland, provoking debate on what to do about it

Published

1 day ago

March 26, 2026

Press Room

Gas prices surge in Maryland, provoking debate on what to do about it

Gas prices in Maryland are rising following joint U.S. and Israeli military strikes against Iran.
The average price for gasoline in Maryland has reached $3.86 per gallon, an increase of over 25 cents in the last week.
Maryland officials are debating a potential gas tax suspension to provide relief to consumers.

Gas prices are surging in Maryland, and state officials are beginning to weigh in on a potential gas tax suspension.

The price jump occured after the United States and Israel launched joint military strikes against Iran beginning on Feb. 28, 2026.

Average gasoline prices in Maryland have risen 25.2 cents per gallon within the last week, now averaging $3.86/g, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 2,167 stations in the state.

Prices in Maryland are 87.7 cents per gallon higher than one month ago, and stand 85.1 cents per gallon higher than one year ago, GasBuddy shared.

As of March 25, gas prices in Salisbury are between $3.73/g and $3.99/g. The current lowest reported cost, $3.73/g, was found at Sam’s Club at 2700 North Salisbury Boulevard.

“Gas prices continued to rise nationwide over the last week as seasonal factors, combined with ongoing supply concerns tied to the continued disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, pushed both gasoline and diesel prices sharply higher,” Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said.

“It now appears increasingly likely that the national average price of gasoline will reach the $4-per-gallon mark — potentially as early as this week — for the first time since 2022, while diesel prices are surging to multi-year highs, with some markets nearing record territory,” De Haan continued.

Gas price averages in Maryland over the last five years

Here’s a closer look at the historical gasoline prices in Maryland and the national average within the last five years, according to GasBuddy:

March 23, 2025: $3.00/g (U.S. Average: $3.08/g)
March 23, 2024: $3.56/g (U.S. Average: $3.53/g)
March 23, 2023: $3.26/g (U.S. Average: $3.42/g)
March 23, 2022: $3.79/g (U.S. Average: $4.23/g)
March 23, 2021: $2.84/g (U.S. Average: $2.86/g)

Will Maryland suspend its gas tax? Officials weigh in

Ammar Moussa, a spokesperson for Maryland Govenor Wes Moore, weighed in on the state’s potential gas tax suspension:

“Marylanders need real relief, not a 30-day gas tax suspension that would blow a $100 million hole in our transportation budget at the same time we’re working to close Maryland’s budget shortfall. If Maryland Republicans are serious about lowering costs, they should pick up the phone and call Donald Trump and tell him to end this missionless war — instead of asking Maryland taxpayers to help pay for it.

“This war is costing more than a billion dollars a day and driving up the price of oil, fuel, and everyday goods. The best way to bring prices down is to address the source of the pain, not shift the cost of Donald Trump’s war onto Maryland families.”

Nicole Beus Harris, Chairwoman of the Maryland Republican Party, shared her thoughts next with Delmarva Now:

“We know Wes Moore thinks about the White House 24/7, but his responsibility, just like Republicans in the General Assembly, is to make state policy. A temporary pause of the state gas tax is a commonsense solution to this temporary crisis, but we’ll never see meaningful tax relief under this Governor.”

Are other states suspending their gas tax to cut prices?

As of March 2026, Georgia has become the first and only state to temporarily suspend its gas tax.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican, suspended the state’s motor fuel tax for 60 days on March 20. The excise tax on gasoline is currently 33.3 cents per gallon, and a few cents higher on diesel, USA Today reported.

Olivia Minzola covers communities on the Lower Shore. Contact her with tips and story ideas at ominzola@delmarvanow.com.

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