Visiting LEGOLAND NY with Kids: What You Need to Know About the Amusement Park

Brickbuilders, rejoice! After a year-long delay, the LEGOLAND New York Resort has opened its gates in Goshen, just an hour’s drive from the city. Whether you have a DUPLO stacker or a master builder, LEGOLAND’s attractions are sure to delight and inspire both the young and young-at-heart. 

Spread over seven “lands” arranged in an easy-to-navigate circuit, the park offers rides, shows, experiences, and activities for different ages and interests. Hot tip: Download the LEGOLAND NY map before you go, so you can plan the perfect day trip with your family.

Here is what you need to know, along with some tips to maximize your fun during your visit.

7 Can’t-Miss Highlights at LEGOLAND NY

1. The LEGO Factory Adventure Ride

In Bricktopia, hop aboard the LEGO Factory Adventure Ride and watch as you are shrunken into a minifigure. This is a digital experience exclusive to LEGOLAND NY. Bonus: While you’re waiting on line, you get to take a trip through time with displays of LEGO sets from the past. A must-do for serious brick lovers.

2. The Build & Test Area

Also located in the land of Bricktopia, in the Build & Test Area, you can create a LEGO tower and watch it shaken by a simulated earthquake, or build a car and see how fast it goes. 

3. LEGO NINJAGO: The Ride

NINJAGO fans won’t want to miss the LEGO NINJAGO: The Ride. The highlight of LEGO Ninjago World, it’s a unique, interactive game experience that immerses you in the Ninjago universe and allows you to compete for points by testing out your own ninja hand moves. 

4. The Dragon Roller Coaster

In the land of the LEGO Castle, experience the rush of a classic roller coaster. This one is called The Dragon, and it does not disappoint. There is also a Dragon’s Apprentice ride for those who don’t meet The Dragon’s 42-inch height requirement. 

5. Driving School

In LEGO City land, kids can get behind the wheel of their very own LEGO car at Driving School, and are even given a LEGO license upon exit. Driving School has cars for ages 6-13, while Junior Driving School serves ages 3-5. 

6. Pirate Land

While there are no waterslides, and no need to pack your suits, Pirate Land offers opportunities to feel a spray—which might be welcomed, depending on how high the temperature gets on the day of your visit. Shoot water directly at your companions from a pirate ship in the Splash Battle, or position yourself strategically to get soaked by button-controlled geysers. Full-body blow dryers are on hand, too, although they were not yet in service on the day of our visit. 

7. MINILAND

MINILAND is the heart of the LEGOLAND experience, and visitors of all ages will be wowed by the models of famous architecture rendered in many thousands of tiny LEGO bricks. The display is extensive, including classic wonders like the Sydney Opera House and Big Ben, as well as a thoughtful selection of architectural highlights from each of New York’s five boroughs. The nearby town of Goshen is represented, too. Guided tours are available several times daily if you want to learn more about some of the buildings.

Other Activities at LEGOLAND New York Resort

LEGOLAND runs live programming in the different lands throughout the day, so check the schedule posted near the entrance when you first arrive. These presentations include music and dance, and, of course, no theme park would be complete without life-sized characters! There are also frequent showings of a short LEGO film at the 4-D theater, which might be a good way to escape rainy or sweltering weather.

Brick collectors can bring their own minifigures from home, or purchase new ones at any of the numerous gift shops, and trade them in at Minifigure Trading Stations located throughout the park to add to their collections. Minifigures must be LEGO brand, and include a head, torso, and legs.

LEGOLAND NY’s Food Options

You are allowed to bring in some foods: bottled water, small lunch snacks, and meals that do not require heating, along with baby food and formula. Make sure everyone has their own water bottle—refilling stations are located throughout the park, and you will want to stay hydrated in the ample sun! 

You’ll probably want to purchase additional food items, though. There are food options in all seven lands, serving kid-friendly fare, so there’s sure to be a palatable option for every young member of your party. Park classics like hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken tenders, fries, popcorn, and soft pretzels are widely available. There are also fast food-style Chinese and Italian offerings. Granny’s Apple Fries are a LEGOLAND original. I did manage to build myself a salad at Brickbeard’s Food Market, but other fresh options were harder to come by. Also note that the giant slushies in collectible cups, while a tempting way to beat the heat, are a steep $15 a pop!