• 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.  

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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. 

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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.