There are so many things one can do when on family vacations. Depending on the time of the year, you can go to the beach, sight-see, or even just relax at your lodgings. But if you want some real fun for the whole family on your next vacation, why not check out an amusement park? And if you are planning to vacation in the New York area, there are a plethora of different amusement parks you can go to, all with different things to offer. And in terms of places to stay, there are plenty of great New York vacation rentals to choose from at MetroFlats.com. So, without further ado, here are some of the five best amusement parks in the New York area!

1. Six Flags Great Adventure-Jackson, New Jersey: This might not exactly be the closest destination if you are staying in New York City, but it is worth the drive, believe me. Of course, there are Six Flags theme parks all around the country, but it is always worth it to check one out. For all of you roller coaster nuts out there, there are a great deal of different ones to choose from, all of which are extremely thrilling. For a personal recommendation, I would suggest checking out the Batman and Robin ride. The line can be extremely long, but by the time you get off this hair raising ride, you will be glad you waited.

2. Coney Island-Brooklyn, NY: If you are on a family vacation in New York, it’s almost a necessity to check out Coney Island in Brooklyn. Make no mistake: this is not just your run-of-the-mill amusement park. Yeah, there are rides, arcades, and all that stuff. But Coney island is also home to a great beach, a fantastic aquarium, and even a minor league baseball stadium (home of the Brooklyn Cyclones, the minor league affiliate of the New York Mets). Having been to the aquarium, I can with all confidence recommend checking it out, especially for it’s interactive exhibits (you can pet some sting rays!). As for the rides, the most well known one has to be the Cyclone roller coaster and the Wonder Wheel, all of which are very fun and well worth the price of admission.

3. Point Pleasant, NJ: Like Six Flags, this is also quite a drive from NYC, but it’s also well worth that drive. I used to go here a lot as a kid, and I have plenty of fond memories of it. If you are looking for a place with a ton of different rides, this might not be the place for you. But if you want a great beach, a fabulous boardwalk, along with some good rides, I would definitely check Point Pleasant out. The boardwalk is especially fun, offering plenty of fun games, and good old fashioned boardwalk food to chow down on. All in all, you will have a fantastic time here, as long as you don’t mind driving a lot.

4. Adventureland-Long Island, NY: Since 1962, Adventureland has been one of New York’s premier amusement parks. And one of the unique things about this theme park is the cost: it’s free! That’s right, you pay absolutely nothing to get into Adventureland. Rides do cost tickets, which cost one dollar each, but that is really a small price to pay considering the free admission. As for the attractions, there are plenty of fun rides to choose from, including some fantastic water rides like Crocodile Run. This is definitely the best place to check out if you are on a tight budget.

5. Mountain Creek-Vernon, NJ: Not that into roller coasters and such, but still want to have some fun? Check out Mountain Creek in Vernon, NJ for a wide array of fantastic water rides. Of course, with summer coming to a close, the window to experience this park is closing. But there is still time, as the weather out is still pretty hot these days! I’ve been to Mountain Creek three times and have had a wonderful time each visit. There is even a huge wave pool, which will entertain you for a long time. If you are into water rides, this is the place for you.

So there are your top five amusement parks in the New York area. All of them are pretty different, I think you will agree. And remember, when you are planning your New York family vacation, check out MetroFlats.com for some great vacation rentals.