Amusement park season is in full swing! If you’ve been considering a day trip with your family close to Philly, why not throw a unique park into the mix?

We’ve rounded up amusement parks that offer much more than your typical roller coasters and water slides (though we’ve included those too). There’s also a Sesame Street-themed park, a destination where kids can operate heavy machinery, and storybook lands.

Plan Your Next Amusement Park Destination

Pick any direction and you’ll find a fantastic, family-friendly amusement park. From Hershey to Allentown to New Jersey, here are 10 parks you can get to in no time and have a day of fun and excitement.

Diggerland USA

100 Pinedge Drive, West Berlin, NJ

Diggerland USA is the only construction theme and water park in the country, and we’re lucky it’s just over the river in New Jersey. Kids can operate and ride on real machines and vehicles, and there are also construction-themed rides, water park activities and games.

Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom

4000 Dorney Park Road, Allentown, PA

Dorney Park has more than 60 rides, shows, attractions, a waterpark, and Planet Snoopy, the Peanuts-themed area just for the littlest ones.

Dutch Wonderland

2249 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, PA

This amusement park in the heart of Amish country has been consistently recognized as a top family destination in Pennsylvania. Dutch Wonderland is a great option if you’re looking for somewhere to take younger children.

The Funplex

3320-24 NJ-38, Mount Laurel, NJ

More than just an amusement park, The Funplex also has bowling, indoor rides, a water park, and arcade.

Hersheypark

100 West Hersheypark Drive, Hershey, PA

What’s better than chocolate? Other than maybe tons of fun rides? Well, Hersheypark has both, in abundance! It also offers special rides designed for families and younger kids.

Knoebels

391 Knoebels Boulevard, Route 487, Elysburg, PA

A free admission amusement park, Knoebels is a classic family destination that has been operating for nearly 100 years. They also have the #1 wooden roller coaster in the world.

Land of Make Believe

354 Great Meadows Road, Route 611, Hope, NJ

The Land of Make Believe is an affordable, classic amusement park that encourages fun for both parents and their kids.

Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park at American Dream

1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, NJ

Nickelodeon Universe is a huge indoor theme park dedicated to all things Nickelodeon. There are tons of games and rides centered around your kids’ favorite cartoon characters.

Sesame Place

100 Sesame Road, Langhorne, PA

Have some Sesame Street fans in your family? Sesame Place, just a half hour outside of Philly, is the place to go. It has Sesame Street-themed rides, shows, dining experiences, and opportunities to meet and take photos with all the furry characters from the show.

Six Flags Great Adventure

1 Six Flags Boulevard, Jackson, NJ

Six Flags Great Adventure, located between Philadelphia and New York, has tons of roller coasters, a water park, and even a drive-through safari with 350 acres of exotic animals.

Storybook Land

6415 Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Township, NJ

The sweet rides at Storybook Land, a children’s theme park, are themed around classic stories and perfect for little ones.

Make the Most of Summer Near Philly

Leaving the city to have adventures is one of the best parts of the season. Spend a day at an amusement park, head out for a long weekend getaway, or take the kids on a memorable and refreshing camping trip.

Lead photo courtesy of Diggerland USA