Since 1962, Adventureland in Farmingdale, New York has been entertaining people of all ages from all over the world. As one of the few amusement parks with free admission, this park is one of the most popular. That’s not a typo. Admission is free. Only those riding the rides or playing the games have to pay anything. Parents can take their kids to play without having to shell out money for themselves.
However, it is hard not to want to ride any of the rides because they are so much fun. But for those who are just coming to ride a certain ride (or two), they only have to pay for those rides they take. With 30 attractions from toddler rides in kiddie land to the thrilling Turbulence roller coaster, there are rides for everyone to enjoy. There is even a roller coaster for the kids called the Caterpillar. When it gets hot, cool off on the water rides or head into the air-conditioned arcade where you can win cool prizes.
When hunger hits, head for the huge family restaurant that serves all kinds of food from pizza to popcorn. They even have healthy items like salads and wraps. The food court is another great place to grab some grub, including Philly cheesesteaks, buffalo wings, and chicken tenders. Visitors can even catch a magic show by Amazing Louie on certain days.
After dinner, get everyone’s dessert in one place. The sweet shop is also nearby and has all kinds of candy and other sweet treats. Dippin’ Dots and snack shacks are found across the park as well with chocolate-covered everything and funnel cakes galore. Then wash it all down with a soft drink or Icee before heading back to the rides.
It’s true, anyone who is not riding rides pays nothing for entry. No admission fee at all and no parking fees either. Those who do want to ride can use three to five tickets per ride. In recent years, tickets were about $1.50 each. The other option is to get a POP (pay one price) ticket for Adventureland. For one price, visitors get a bracelet that gives them access to as many rides as they want to ride as many times as they want to ride them. Recently, the price for a POP ticket was around $35 per person. After six rides, this pays for itself.
Visitors might arrive at Adventureland, which is on NY-110; be prepared for tolls and bridge crossings. The park is located in Farmingdale on Long Island, about 40 miles from New York City near Long Island Sound. Next to other businesses, guests may have little trouble finding the park or getting into the park since the nearby roads are all major highways.
RVers who love nature might wish to stop at Bethpage State Park, only three miles to the west, where they have golf, trails, biking, and horseback riding. For some fun on the ocean, check out Jones Beach State Park, which has 6.5 miles of white sandy beach on the Atlantic.
The parking lot at Adventureland Park is big enough to park just about anything, including RVs. The best part is that parking is free. The park does offer special VIP parking for a fee that gets visitors closer to the gate. However, the parking lot is not so large that guests have to wear themselves out on the way to the gate. Get there early and get a spot right in the front.
There are several ways to get to the park on public transportation. Both Nassau County and Suffolk County have bus service that can get visitors a half-block from the fun. The S-1 and S-2B buses are the best choices. For those coming from further out, take the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) to Farmingdale or Hempstead. From there, the bus going to Melville stops near Adventureland.
Unfortunately, Adventureland Park does not offer any kind of camping on-site. There is no overnight parking either, so the best thing to do is to find a campsite nearby or maybe find a boondocking site. Consider downloading an app with additional campground and boondocking information.
Not far from the park, there are several private campgrounds ranging from primitive to posh. The closest place, Battle Row Park, has a large RV campground less than three miles from Adventureland, which is perfect for RVers who want to be close to the action. With 52 sites that have electric and water, it should be easy to find the perfect spot. But it is best to make a reservation in advance since it’s so close to the park. A bit further out, Nickerson Beach Campground is just 21 miles to the southeast. Boasting 74 RV sites with full hookups and a fun swimming beach, this one is popular. Make reservations early.
No shuttles or trams are available at Adventureland, which is okay since it is so compact and has a lot of seating scattered around the park. Wheelchairs can be rented, if needed, at Guest Relations in City Hall. Strollers are available for rent as well if your little one gets tired of walking. Visitors are also welcome to bring their own wheelchairs or strollers.
Because the park is open from spring until fall, what visitors should pack depends on the time of year they are going. Spring and fall both typically bring cool weather at night and warm air during the day. Summers are warmer but still not blistering hot. Jeans, t-shirts, tank tops, and shorts are typical attire for the park. Also, it is important to pack some comfortable shoes.
Visitors are not allowed to bring coolers or food inside the park or the parking lot. Picnicking is not allowed anywhere in the park either. Guests can use a backpack if carrying a lot of things that won’t fit in a fanny pack. The basics include phone, wallet, and keys, which can fit in pockets or a pack. Do not bring any type of glass or sharp objects to the park.
Although it does not usually get dangerously hot in this part of the state, it is still important to protect your skin. Grab a small travel-sized bottle of sunblock to reapply as needed. Also, a hat and sunglasses can be incredibly helpful in blocking those rays. Just be aware that they will have to be removed for most rides.
RVers who are staying at a campground that has utilities, cooking indoors should be no problem. Just be sure to have all the necessities like pots and pans, cooking oil spray, foil, eating utensils, and paper plates. It is also a good idea to have a portable BBQ pit or camp stove just in case utilities do not work and the park does not have a grill available.
From brew houses to sushi restaurants, casual dining, and a swanky café, food is less than a mile away from the park. For Italian or Asian dining, pizza, and hot wings, head southwest on Melville Road about a mile. Head up or down NY-110 for a variety of fast food, Cajun cuisine, and a sports bar and grill.
One of the most popular places to eat is the restaurant right inside the gates. With plenty of seating and cool air conditioning, visitors enjoy hanging out here while enjoying burgers, fries, and other tasty treats.
The 3Generations Food Court is also a great eating spot right across from the Adventureland Stage. Bacon burgers, grilled chicken, pizza, and more can be found here. Adventureland’s 3Generations Sweet Shop is full of vibrantly colored candy, snacks, and drinks from funnel cakes to ice cream. Stop by the Midway Marketplace for some souvenirs and other unique items before leaving.
Adventureland Park takes the safety of its guests seriously and provides security staff in the park to help as needed. It is important to note that bags and packs will be searched if deemed necessary, so make sure there are no prohibited items in there. Some of these items include weapons, alcohol, drugs, and glass bottles.
New York weather can be difficult to predict with fluctuations during the spring and summer. The average highs in the spring and fall are about 61 to 64 degrees with the lows in the 40s. The summer temps are higher, with the averages ranging from 75 to 84 degrees. It is possible to have a rain shower or storm any day from March through October. Bring rain gear, and download a weather app to help you anticipate wet weather.
Visitors who have an injury or are feeling ill can head to the first-aid station in City Hall right next to the bumper cars. Adventureland Amusement Park provides professional medical personnel to help treat minor illnesses and injuries. If it is more than they can handle, there are two hospitals less than five miles away and several urgent care centers as well.
