So in theory, this site is supposed to be about relatively cheap, easy to get to day trip ideas for the weekend. We're making an exception with this post though. Why? Because a Six Flags day trip is super fun and because in theory you can do it via public transportation.
For those with a car, Six Flags Great Adventure is located in Jackson Township, NJ just a quick 1.5-2 hours away from Williamsburg, Brooklyn (depending on traffic.)
Without a car, you'll need to make your way to Port Authority to catch NJ Transit's 308 Six Flags bus. This bus leaves NYC only once per day at 9:30 am. Alternatively if getting to Newark Penn Station is easier for you, you can catch the 308 here as well. Pickup is at 10:00 in New Jersey. (These times accurate as of June 2023 so please be sure to double check.)
All the information you need about the 308 bus to Six Flags can be found here
You can even buy park tickets through this link at a discount so be sure to check it out prior to buying at Six Flags!
You should know going in - the 308 has only one trip back to NYC per day. A full 12 hours later at 9:30pm. That's time for A LOT of coasters.
If you don't buy your tickets via NJ Transit, you can still buy them online ahead of time. You'll be able to jump that section of the entrance lines by doing so. Tickets here
$45 for the day - or if you really love Six Flag upgrade to the Annual Pass and go every weekend :) You should also know, if you drove, you'll also need to buy a parking pass.
We lucked out with free tickets so decided to upgrade ours with the Flash Pass. You can do so by walking straight back - towards the Joker and looking for a little house on your left. There are employees to hand you the wristbands but all sign up is done on your phone.
It's a spendy $90 a person to do so - it does mean however that you don't have to wait in line. As of Sept 2022, they have a new post pandemic system for those who've been in the past. Now you get a wristband with a QR code and need to use their site on your phone to reserve your spot in line. You can only reserve one ride at a time and there are various wait times associated with each ride. Basically it means you have to wait the same amount of time as someone standing there, you just don't need to physically be in the line. When your time is up, they scan your QR code wristband and send you through. We did ride a fair amount of rides but we still had to wait around a lot so I definitely prefer their old system. This new one also means that you need your phone with you at all times - BUT phones are not allowed on any of the rides. Soooo its a lot of back and forth to lockers... I'm not totally sure they've figured it out. If you're not going to a weekend or going later in the fall, I'd consider sticking with the regular tickets.
Speaking of lockers, you'll pay $2 for 2 hours or $10 to have unlimited use of the lockers around the park. The locker are annoying and as I already said you need your phone after every single ride for the Flash Pass - I'd just pay the $10 and be done with it. Bring as little as possible with you, their whole system is sort of a pain ie: my poor friend walking around with out his glasses for hours at a time.
All of this aside, what we're here for is THE RIDES. Full disclosure, we only rode the roller coasters so I can only review those.
BEST: The Joker - its been my fave forever
RUNNER UP (and this is a close second): El Toro - seriously its so good
BEST NEW FIND: Jersey Devil - loved it and the wait time was always short!
RUNNER UP NEW FIND - Medusa its cute and an easy, fun one that might be good for kids
JUST DO IT: Kingda Ka its not my favorite but its also the tallest in the world, so do it so you can say you have
SKIP: Batman (meh) Green Lantern (seriously this jostled my head so much)
The Nitro seemed to be not working all day - so we never got a chance to do it.
At some point after baking in the sun, you're gonna need lunch. Unfortunately I haven't found the food at Six Flags to ever be that great. Definitely avoid Johnny Rockets but otherwise I think most places have about the same stuff.
You'll find burgers, hot dogs, pork rolls (?), chicken tenders and fries. It's nothing to brag about. It's also overpriced at $15+
If you are trying to save money, I saw some very smart people eating in their cars on our way out. It would be a bit of walk back and forth but if you are money conscious / want something delicious its always an option.
Squeeze in as many rides as you can handle for the day before you're exhausted and ready to go home.
We grabbed soft serve ice cream and sundaes on the way out - THESE I will recommend. Their soft serve is extra sugary and you can't go wrong.
Find your car or the catch the 308 bus back to New York City, your day in New Jersey at Six Flags Great Adventures is almost over. Our Next Stop is home for a shower, some water and needed time on the couch.
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