Up, up and away—to ballooning in New Jersey.
A sky-high adventure aboard a hot-air balloon is on almost everyone’s bucket list. Follow where the wind takes you—from the rolling hills of Sussex Skylands to the scenic farmland of South Jersey—with New Jersey’s ballooning companies. Expect plenty of photo ops, spectacular views and a champagne toast upon landing.
For the ultimate balloon experience, attend the QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning, a three-day event held the last weekend in July. Watch daily ascensions, listen to live music—and take balloon rides. You can even “run with the balloons” at this top event, the largest summertime hot-air balloon and music festival in North America. Don’t miss the Saturday night balloon glow when balloons light up like huge fireflies. Magical!
Higher highs, faster drops, loopier loops.
Don’t have acrophobia, do you? Then your thrill ride is waiting at Six Flags Great Adventure & Safari in Jackson. The new Wonder Woman Lasso of Truth is the world’s tallest pendulum ride—17 stories up in the air and rotating at 75 miles per hour.
If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to be a human catapult, try the Slingshot at Atlantic City’s Steel Pier, which shoots riders from 0 to 225 feet in 1.5 seconds. Like a more sedate pace? Hop aboard the Ferris wheel and enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the city skyline. For a new take on a classic, in 2019, Morey’s Piers introduced their new ride, the family-friendly Runaway Tram, named after the historic Wildwood Sightseer Tramcar. This roller coaster climbs 40 feet before twisting and turning down its 922-foot track.
Wild animals, lazy rivers and more!
For another style of thrill ride, view lions, tigers and rhinos aboard a rugged open-air safari vehicle. It’s not Africa; it’s New Jersey! Safari Off Road Adventure at Six Flags Great Adventure boasts 1,200 animals from six continents on a 350-acre preserve. Make a stop at Camp Adventura to zipline over the safari or feed a giraffe.
One of the best ways to beat the heat and have a blast is at one of New Jersey’s many water parks. At Hurricane Harbor, also part of Six Flags Great Adventure, check out the 100,000-gallon activity pool, Calypso Springs, new for 2019. It has a fountain, a spontaneously erupting geyser, lounge chairs and more.
Down the Shore, cool off with more water park fun for all ages—from the adorable Frog Slide at Runaway Rapids in Keansburg to Raging Waters’ exciting Shotgun Falls in Wildwood. Can’t decide between laid-back or all out? Then the Lazy Crazy River, offered at both Thundering Surf in Long Beach Island and Breakwater Beach in Seaside Heights, is the perfect chill ride for you!
