Land of Make Believe

Land of Make Believe opened its gates in 1954, built on the idea of a storybook park where fairy-tale characters and gentle attractions could enchant young children. It arrived in the golden age of the American roadside attraction, when families piled into cars for day trips into the country, and it found a lasting audience among the towns of the northwest corner of the state.

The park has remained family-owned across the decades, and that continuity shows in its unhurried character and its careful preservation of the attractions people remember. Rather than chasing bigger and faster thrills, it has grown gradually, adding a water park and new rides while keeping the small-scale, storybook feel that has always been its heart.

The rides at Land of Make Believe are chosen with young children in mind, gentle spinning cars, a train, a carousel, and other attractions sized so that even the smallest visitors can join in. The signature attraction is the Haunted House, set inside an old barn, a walk-through that is spooky enough to thrill without truly frightening, and a rite of passage for many a local childhood.

In the warm months the water park comes into its own, with a large splash area, slides, and pools that give families a way to cool off after a day of rides. Between the dry rides, the water play, and the shaded picnic areas, the park offers an easy full day for families with young children, all in one compact and manageable place.

Part of the park's charm is its setting in the rural hills of the Skylands, New Jersey's northwestern highlands. The surrounding country of farms, forests, and ridges feels a world away from the crowded shore and the suburbs, and the drive to reach the park winds through some of the prettiest landscape in the state.

The location makes Land of Make Believe a natural centerpiece for a country outing, easily paired with the nearby Delaware Water Gap, the historic village of Hope, or a hike along the Kittatinny Ridge. It is the kind of place families fold into a larger day of exploring the hills and river country of the northwest.

Land of Make Believe is a seasonal park, opening for the warm months and closing for the winter. Late spring is a fresh, quieter time to visit as the park comes to life and the surrounding hills turn green.

Summer is the peak season, when the water park draws families on hot days and the rides run at full swing, making it the busiest and most festive time to go. Early fall can bring cooler, pleasant days and thinner crowds before the season winds down, with the northwest hills beginning to turn color. The park closes over the cold months and reopens with the return of warm weather.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is a place we chose through independent editorial review, never a paid placement.

The Land of Make Believe, in Hope, New Jersey, is a charming, family-friendly amusement park and water park designed especially for young children, a beloved destination in the scenic northwestern part of the state. This delightful park offers gentle rides, a water park with slides and a splash area, storybook and fantasy themes, a hay-ride to a haunted attraction, farm animals, and old-fashioned fun geared to families with little ones. Its wholesome charm and setting amid the rolling countryside make it a cherished spot for family memories. A delightful and wholesome family park, it charms young visitors. With its rides and water park, the Land of Make Believe offers a fun destination in New Jersey.

You can enjoy gentle amusement rides, splash in the water park with its slides and play areas, take a hay-ride to a haunted attraction, meet farm animals, explore storybook and fantasy themes, and enjoy old-fashioned family fun. The kid-friendly rides, the water park, the themed attractions, and the wholesome atmosphere are the draws, making it especially delightful for families with young children. Its gentle, charming character sets it apart. With its family fun, the Land of Make Believe offers a rewarding experience in New Jersey.

Yes, the Land of Make Believe is designed especially for families with young children, with gentle rides, a water park with play areas, storybook themes, and wholesome attractions sized and geared for little ones rather than thrill-seekers. Its charming, old-fashioned character and kid-friendly scale make it a favorite for families with small children in particular. Parents appreciate its wholesome, manageable atmosphere. Its focus on young children makes the Land of Make Believe a delightful family destination in New Jersey.

The Land of Make Believe operates seasonally in the warm months, generally from spring or early summer through late summer or early fall, with the water park especially popular on hot summer days, and special seasonal events at times. Because it is seasonal and hours vary, checking the current schedule before you go is important. For the rides and water park, plan a warm-months visit and check current hours at the Land of Make Believe in New Jersey.

The Land of Make Believe is in Hope, New Jersey, in the northwestern part of the state, within reach of the Delaware Water Gap, the historic village of Hope, Waterloo Village, and the New Jersey Skylands region. That makes the Land of Make Believe a fun stop to combine with the Delaware Water Gap and the other attractions of the New Jersey Skylands on a visit to the state.