Destination: New YorkGreat for: FamiliesWhen to Visit: Year-round
Written By The Exploreist
By Todd Maurer | Updated: March 09, 2024
I have never been a fan of roller coasters. Never! But my best pal loves them, and he has always wanted to check out Six Flags Great Adventure in Jersey. We planned to go there during his birthday in 2019, but the park was closed that day, so instead, we went to The Modern to celebrate. A month before Halloween, we finally made it there, and in this post, we will share everything you need to know about Six Flags, plus tips for a great experience.
1: The Joker’s Jinx
Duration: 1 minute 15 seconds
Type: Maximum thrill
Height Requirement: 4’ 6” (137.16 centimeters)
This is the first roller coaster you will see upon entering the park. It starts with a launch, a very fast launch that gets you from 0 to 60 mph in just over 3 seconds! After heading straight up a 12-story, 90-degree hill, this 4-D, free-fly coaster wreaks havoc as you flip head-over-heels, blasting through a cobra roll, a sidewinder loop, a corkscrew, and countless swift reversals in between. That’ll wipe that smirk off your face as you are shot like a bullet in the “spaghetti bowl.”
2: Houdini’s Great Escape
Duration: 10 minutes
Type: Moderate thrill
Height Requirement: No requirement
Walk through the old magician’s musty-old mansion, where creepy candelabras and stone gargoyles seem to have a life of their own, and step into the parlor and participate in the ultimate séance! While you explore the elaborately decked-out house, apparitions appear, and suddenly, the walls shift and sway as the whole room rotates around you, spinning in near darkness. Hold on tight as the entire house will flip 360º around. This attraction is so well-done that we recommend it to anyone looking for moderate thrills.
3: El Toro
Duration: 10 minutes
Type: Maximum thrill
Height Requirement: 4’ 0” (121.92 centimeters)
Standing at a whopping 19-story tall with a near-vertical 76-degree drop, El Toro is one of the world’s fastest and tallest wooden roller coasters! Hold on tight as you soar through 4,400 feet of airtime hills, 4 steep dives, sharp banked turns, and a dramatic twister finale, all at record-breaking speeds of 70 mph! At first glance, El Toro looks like a classic wooden roller coaster, but it is actually built with ultra-modern engineering techniques, so you will get that classic feel with a smoother and faster ride. Expect long lines and loud screams.
4: Nitro
Duration: 2 minutes
Type: Maximum thrill
Height Requirement: 4’ 6” (137.16 centimeters)
Nitro will show you what it is like to fly thanks to its minimal seating design, with no shoulder restraints or sides on the cars! You will thrust down a 215-foot near-vertical dive — so high up you can literally see Philadelphia — fly down 7 steep drops at over 80 mph, curve around double gut-munching horizontal loops, and wrap through an intense S-curve and twisted hammerhead. Late afternoon riders will also be treated to beautiful New Jersey sunset.
5: Green Lantern
Duration: 3 minutes
Type: Maximum thrill
Height Requirement: 4’ 5” (134.62 centimeters)
You won’t believe how smooth this ride is, considering you are flying at 63 miles per hour — all while standing up! Humans are not designed to move this fast, but superheroes are. This 4,155 feet of bright green and yellow track will lead you on a record-setting journey, smashing all the previous title-holders for height, speed, drops, inversions, and length.
Prepare to hug the ground, take crazy corkscrews, and break the sound barrier again and again. It starts with a 155-foot hill, then a gut-munching 144-foot drop and a 121-foot loop. While in the air, you will pass by SUPERMAN Ultimate Flight before zooming into a 72-foot inclined loop!
6: SUPERMAN™: Ultimate Flight
Duration: 3 minutes
Type: Maximum thrill
Height Requirement: 4’ 6” (137.16 centimeters)
As the name suggests, this 115-foot-tall steel champion lets you experience the world through Superman’s eyes! You will ride the way our superhero flies — face down and head first. Once you make the first 10-story drop, you will dive into an innovative loop, with two inversions, that looks like a pretzel.
And then, at over 50 mph, you will tackle a steep banked turn to the left, navigate through two high-speed horseshoe-shaped curves, plunge into a breathtaking 270-degree helix, and then complete a full 360-degree in-line twist.
7: Fender Benders
Duration: 2 Minutes
Type: Maximum Thrill
Height Requirement: 4’ 6” (137.16 centimeters)
It is time to relive the childhood memory! Pick your favorite car — red, blue, green, pink, or yellow — and they are redesigned in a cool 1950s style, with fancy fins and silver grilles! You can ride alone as long as you’re 54” tall or choose a two-seater with room for a co-pilot. Careen through the crowded track, swerve fast to miss a collision, or bang right into your neighbor’s cars! There are no rules at a bumper car course. While it is so-so for me, my pal loves this!
8: The Dark Knight Coaster
Duration: 2 minutes
Type: Maximum thrill
Height Requirement: 3’ 6” (106.68 centimeters)
On this all-enclosed indoor roller coaster, you will ride through an abandoned subway station covered with graffiti and lit by flickering strobes. Keep your eyes peeled, and you might spot the Joker or The Dark Knight himself! With 6 complete 180-degree turns and a series of hair-raising ups and downs from a height of 45 feet and at 30 mph, it isn’t easy fighting crime in a town like this! And the scary part is you’ll never know what is ahead when riding in a pitch-dark room.
9: Runaway Mine Train
Duration: 2 minutes
Type: Moderate thrill
Height Requirement: 3’ 8” (111.76 centimeters)
This classic steel coaster has entertained miners of all sizes at Great Adventure for over three decades, and now it is your turn! Journey back to the Old West on a mine train inspired by American frontier history, zooming past old prospector tents and covered bridges and through the dark rock crusher quarry. And then, pay a visit to the Ace Hotel and Saloon and make a pulse-quickening drop over a beautiful lake — so close that you can see the lotus floating on the water.
10: Batman: The Ride
Duration: 1 minute 40 seconds
Type: Maximum thrill
Height Requirement: 4’ 6” (137.16 centimeters)
This ride will show you what it feels like to be Batman! You will fight crimes suspended from an overhead track and with your feet dangling in the air! Following a 10-story lift, prepare yourself for a full 360-degree loop right off the bat. And then, there is a fully inverted roll, followed by a second loop in just 10 seconds. Hold on tight, as you will soon be pounded by a double set of wingovers and corkscrew descents with enough G-force to scream your head off.
11: Kingda Ka
Duration: 50 seconds
Type: Maximum thrill
Height Requirement: 4’ 7” (139.70 centimeters)
This upside-down U-shaped track, standing at a record-breaking 456 feet, is the world’s tallest roller coaster and the scariest ride at Six Flags Great Adventure. You will hardly have time to scream as the hydraulic launch propels you from 0 to 128 miles per hour in less than 4 seconds, making it the fastest coaster in North America. It’s 90° straight up. And then, you will experience a near-vertical plunge and zoom into a dizzying 270-degree spiral.
12: SkyScreamer
Duration: 7 minutes
Type: Moderate thrill
Height Requirement: 4” 0” (121.92 centimeters)
Take a seat, but don’t get too comfortable having your feet on the ground!
You will be gently picked up, slowly swirling around the center. It spins faster as you go higher, so by the time you reach the top, which is 24 stories tall, you will be careening around the center at 40 mph. All you are going to feel is air, with your feet dangling in the sky and hair blowing in the wind.
While up there, wave at Big Wheel, the enormous Ferris wheel about 100 feet below you. That’s how high up you are. And we recommend riding this at night when you will enjoy a beautiful view of the park and beyond. Don’t be fooled — SkyScreamer is way scarier than it looks.
If youwant something milder,try the rides below. And for adrenaline junkies, you can mingle these in between thrill rides for a fuller experience at the park.
13: Big Wheel
Duration: 15 minutes
Type: Moderate thrill
Height Requirement: 42” (106.68 centimeters)
No matter how incredible the other rides are, there will always be a special place in your heart for a classic Ferris wheel ride. Climb into a gently swaying chair, and when the Ferris wheel starts to turn, you will rise to the top for an incredible view of the park and miles in every direction.
And for many years, this gigantic wheel has held the title of “the tallest Ferris wheel in the world,” at 150 feet. And just wait until you see it at night when over 8,000 LED lights magically light up the wheel in glorious patterns.
14: Parachute Training Center: Edwards AFB
Duration: 15 minutes
Type: Moderate thrill
Height Requirement: 42” (106.68 centimeters)
Have you ever wondered what it feels like to jump out of an airplane? Take a seat under a giant parachute and get hauled straight up to the top of a large 250-foot-tall tower, where you’ll enjoy a beautiful view of the park and miles in every direction. Hold on tight, and in about 3 seconds, the ripcord will be pulled to send you soaring. Don’t worry. It is a lot less stressful than you’ve thought but just as thrilling.
15: Justice League: Battle for Metropolis
Duration: 4 minutes
Type: Moderate thrill
Height Requirement: 3’ 6” (107 centimeters)
This popular ride features state-of-the-art technology, realistic video graphics, and a full-sensory gaming experience that puts you in the middle of the action. After walking through the unbelievable 22,000-square-foot Hall of Justice, you will board a six-passenger vehicle and travel through a series of incredible scenes in the city of Metropolis and interact with life-like animatronic characters and fight against Lex Luthor and the Joker to save your favorite superheroes.
Seasonal Events and Activities at Six Flags
In addition to the rides, Six Flags hosts many seasonal and themed activities throughout the year. These include:
Fright Fest (September 16 - October 31)
Kids Boo Fest (September 17 - October 30)
Oktoberfest (September 17 - November 13)
Fright Fest Power Hours (October 20, 26, 27, and 31)
Veterans Day Weekend (November 11 - 13)
Holiday in the Park (November 25 - January 1)
Spring Break (April 1 - 16, 2023)
Physics Day (April 28, 2023)
Viva La Fiesta (Weekends between May 6 and 21, 2023)
Kids Fest (Weekends between June 3 and 11, 2023)
2023 Grad Nite (June 9, 2023)
Food & Brew Festival (June 17 - 25, 2023)
July 4th Fest (July 1 - 4, 2023)
Summer Vibes Festival (July 8 - August 12, 2023)
National Coaster Day (August 16, 2023)
Thrill-A-Thon (August 26 - 27, 2023)
Tips for Visiting Six Flags Great Adventure
Take the Bus: The most common way is to take the 308 bus that departs from Port Authority Bus Terminal and Newark Penn Station on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 9:30 AM. It takes about an hour and 50 minutes to get to Six Flags. The bus then leaves the park at 10:00 PM and returns to New York.
A round-trip fare costs $38 for adults and $27 for children. The park also offers a variety of packages to help you save money.
If you are going with a big group, renting a charter bus or a minivan/bus is a smarter way to travel to Six Flags back and forth.
Rent a Car: If you don’t come with a big group, renting a car might be the most comfortable and convenient way to get there since the park isn’t too far from New York (only around 70 miles away from Manhattan.)
We recommend usingZipcar, an easy and fast car rental service. You can sign up online with a valid driver’s license and a credit or debit card, book by the hour or day, and get your car anytime you need.
Driving rates start at $11 per hour or$91.50 per day. Gas is included with every trip.
Use Uber or Lyft: If money isn’t a problem, you can also take a Uber or Lyft, which costs about $150 one way. However, there might not be many drivers nearby the park, which makes it a bit difficult to get back.
Some tips: If you leave the park late and can’t find a car back, let the parking lot security know; they will help you get a taxi. Our driver told us that the security folks couldn’t get off until the park and the parking lot is empty, so it is their “responsibility” to ensure you have a way to get back.
The Best Time to Visit Six Flags
The best time to visit Six Flags is on theweekdays— we highly recommend arriving at least half an hour before the park opens —between Memorial Day and Labor Daywhen everything is open. However, if you don’t plan to go to Hurricane Harbor, where most water rides are, opt for a day in April or September.
The park starts to operate in late March or early April when big crowds and long lines are the norms. May and June are less busy as the park prepares for the summer crowds. July to October, except for September, is the busiest time for the park, as it is the time for summer crowds and Fright Fest.
How to Save on Six Flags Tickets
Over 20 Six Flags parks are scattered across the nation, and the ticket varies depending on which one you visit. The average admission is $59.99 for adults and $39.99 for children under 48”. You can also buy a seasonal pass ($64.99 to $249.99) that lets you visit the park for free throughout the year.
Or come in a big group to save some bucks! The minimum number of people required to get the discount varies between parks. For example, the Chicago one needs 20 people to be eligible, while the New Jersey one only requires 10.
Who Will Enjoy the Six Flags Park
Six Flags is best known for its roller coasters, but if that isn’t your thing, the park also has gentler rides, arcade games, and a waterpark called Hurricane Harbor. Also, there are plenty of family-friendly rides and shows in kid zones like Adventure Alley and Bugs Bunny National Park to keep the little ones entertained.
How to Reduce the Wait Time at Six Flags
While Six Flags is fun, spending hours in line for a 5-minute roller coaster can be a buzzkill. You can minimize the wait time by getting a seasonal pass!There are three types of passes:Gold Pass, Platinum Pass, and Diamond Pass, costing $64.99 to $249.99 per person. You will get unlimited visits throughout the year, discounts on food and merchandise, skip-the-line passes, and more!
What to Bring When Going to Six Flags
You don’t want to carry a hefty backpack to Six Flags, and most large bags can’t be taken on rides with you. Pack light and only bring the necessities for the day. If you do end up bringing more than you can carry, locker rentals are available to store your items for the day for a small fee ($1 to $4).
Below we have compiled a list of things you should bring to Six Flags.
Sunscreen: If you want to have a great time at Six Flags and not nurse a painful sunburn after a glorious day, you need to pack sunscreen. Our favorite is aloe gel.
Snacks and water: Even if no outside food and beverages are allowed in the park, you can always “smuggle” in some small snacks and bottled water, so you can avoid paying for hefty food and water in the park.
A light jacket: The night at Six Flags park can be chilly, especially when you visit in September or anytime for the rest of the year. Bring a light jacket so you can enjoy the night rides as much as you do during the day.
Change of clothes: This might come in handy for those who plan to visit the waterpark, Hurricane Harbor, so you can go crazy and not worry about getting too wet!
GoPro/other action cameras: Bring your action camera and mounting equipment if you love photographing or want to capture your epic moment on the ride. Note that some of the rides, such as El Toro and Kingda Ka, are too fast for the camera to be secured, so only bring your camera to moderate rides in case you lose them.
Power bank: Poor connection in crowds of people and constant need for photos and videos will drain your phone’s battery fast. Bring a fully charged, portable power bank so you are not the outcast sitting in a random corner of the park with your phone plugged in.
Rain gears: Pop-up thunderstorms and showers are common in many areas, especially during the summer when most Six Flags parks are in full swing. Throw some rain ponchos into the backpack, and they won’t even take up much room or weight in the bag. On dry days, you can also spread them out in the grass for a rest between rides.
Alrighty, these are the best rides and attractions you shouldn’t miss at Six Flags and tips for a great experience. Have you been to any of the chain’s parks, and how was your experience?
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