Whipping winds, roaring rapids and terrifying heights were the amusement park trinity I experienced at Six Flags Great Adventure theme park in Jackson Township, New Jersey.
Built in 1974, the park features 66 rides, including the world’s tallest roller coaster, Kingda Ka, as well as other rides such as El Toro and Joker. While food and drink prices were amusement park-level, Jersey Devil BBQ served a delicious pulled pork sandwich, and the all-you-can-drink sippy cup was a real bargain.
The park is a great way to spend a hot summer day. Below is a review of the best rides I rode:
This is the only ride I have done three times in a row without stopping. There is a slow, gripping build-up lasting about twenty seconds to the biggest drop at the beginning, a drop that leads to a series of beautiful views of a lush, green forest and a small pond. With top speeds of 80 mph and a vertical drop of 215 feet, Nitro had me screaming in fear the entire time. Although this ride doesn’t have any loops, the G-forces can hit it hard; I even fainted a little during one of the more intense sections. The third time I rode it, I was lucky enough to sit in the front row and Wowthe view was even better up there.
If there were three words to describe the theme of this ride, they would be: light rave party. This fully enclosed roller coaster features fast descents and rapid turns paired with pumping music and flashing lights. While the ride’s layout itself wasn’t particularly scary, the mostly pitch black interior made every descent unexpected. Honestly, this is a ride I would have no qualms about taking my little sister on: it’s a little scary and great for first-time riders.
This ride was inspired by the myth of the Jersey Devil, a mythical creature that is said to live in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey. This monorail coaster, which reaches speeds of up to 58 mph, features a steep drop that turns into a dive loop, a series of shocking inversions, and a zero gravity standstill where the track rotates 180 degrees, giving riders a few seconds of pure weightlessness. I was able to sit at the front of the train and feel the full force of the speed of this ride. All I can say is that this devil was the perfect combination of speed, hills, and unexpected twists.
For someone who has been white water rafting before, Roaring Rapids was a pretty accurate depiction of the experience. The short trip consists of a 12-seater round river raft that carries participants downstream through a strong current where participants experience violent whirlpools, unpredictable drops, and many sharp turns, all while getting completely drenched in water splashing around. After the trip, half my body was drenched and my shoes were so wet they were soaking wet. If you plan on doing Roaring Rapids, don’t expect to stay dry!
First, let me say: Do not wear a hat or anything that could easily come off or fall off on this ride. While the beautifully decorated star-shaped gondola and swing seats make the ride seem harmless, the feeling of being rocked at 40 mph in a 98-foot circle around the center base, 242 feet above the ground, or 24 stories high, was absolutely terrifying. The wind and the view up there were insane, though; I felt like I could see the entire park during this ride.
Next time you’re in New Jersey, don’t forget to check off Six Flags Great Adventure as one of the top attractions to experience!
