Playland Opens For 95th Season With New Rides And Dining Options

RYE, NY — Playland Park in Rye is back for the summer, but there have been a few changes.

Playland, a National Historic Landmark and a summer tradition for the entire NYC metro area, opened to the public on Saturday, May 20 and will remain open through September 15.

As one of the only amusement parks in the U.S. designed in the Art Deco architecture style, Playland is home to rides that are both thrilling and historic, including Whip (1929), Derby Racer (1929), Dragon Coaster (1929), and The Carousel (1929).

The newest ride is the Old Rye Motorbike Factory, which debuted in 2022, but fits perfectly in the historic park.

This year, guests can expect even more new rides, including the custom-built Jack the Puppeteer, "a fun, family-friendly ride that takes the visitors on an exhilarating spinning adventure," which will debut later this summer.

"Playland has been a multi-generational destination for millions of visitors in the greater New York region for almost a century," Jeff Davis, General Manager of Playland, said. "As we continue to grow and build the park for the next 100 years, we are thrilled to introduce a diverse range of new experiences for all our visitors to enjoy from dining, outdoor adventures, entertainment, events, rides, and more, while preserving the incredible history of the park. In addition to our popular rides and games, our new visitors are often surprised to find direct access to our beach, pool and lake, available right on-site. We have something for everyone at all ages, so look forward to welcoming everyone this season."

More New experiences for 2023 at Playland include:

• New Fountain Plaza Show – featuring a synchronized musical, water, and light show.
• "Play! Verse – An Immersive Adventure" – will include other worldly environments, fantastic creatures, eye-popping optical illusions, immersive cascades of light color and sound, and even a gateway into infinity. The new Play! Verse includes different thematic rooms that feature LED light shows, interactive infinity mirror tricks, and more, creating multi-sensory and dynamic photo ops for all. Admission tickets are $10.
• New Dining Experiences with Panoramic Waterfront Views – The NEW Tiki Beach is an upscale eatery with indoor and outdoor seating, as well as picturesque views of the Long Island Sound. In addition, Captain Lawrence Beer Garden is a more casual space adjacent to Tiki Beach with outdoor seating to enjoy a few brews. Evening entertainment will also be available for a scenic al fresco dining experience.
• Explore the Picturesque Playland Beach, Lake and Edith G. Read Nature Preserve, and Cool Down at Playland Pool – The scenic on-site Playland Beach will reopen Memorial Day weekend and will debut a new 35-foot waterfront slide this season, as well as new amenities, including volleyball, kayaking, and paddleboarding along with weekend entertainment, including live steel drums performances. NEW Swan and Dragon Paddle boat rides are now available for $20 at Playland Lake alongside the historic Boathouse and near the Edith G. Read Nature Preserve – all on the shores of the Long Island Sound. The Beach Pass is $9.99 per adult and child, while children ages 2 and under are admitted for free. The recently debuted Playland pool with zero depth entry and state-of-the-art lounge furniture will be open for the season. The Pool & Beach Combo Pass is $14.99 per adult and child, while children ages 2 and under are admitted for free.

A variety of major summer events at Playland include:

• "Party on the Pier at Playland" on June 7, from 6-9 p.m., hosted by Westchester Magazine’s Wine & Food Festival where guests can sample summer favorites from local restaurants and food trucks with beer, wine, cocktails, and live music, along with the 5th Annual Bartender Shake-Off.
• Juneteenth event on Monday, June 19, with A Motown Concert and Dance and Drum Workshops by Bokandeye African American Dance Theater, Inc.
• Annual July Fourth Celebration with special entertainment and fireworks.

The 2023 Day Pass is $39.99, or $29.99 for Westchester County residents. The 2023 Season Pass includes access to all rides and is available at $109.99, or $99.99 for Westchester County residents with proof of residency. Children under 3 are free. All guests must meet height and safety requirements for rides.

A complimentary roundtrip shuttle service from the Metro-North Railroad station in Rye is again available this summer season, as well as regular Bee-Line bus service.

For more information and a calendar of events, visit the Playland website and follow Playland on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and LinkedIn.