If you have a kid who can name every type of excavator before they can spell their name or spends more time pretending the backyard is a construction site, then Diggerland USA might already be on your radar. But is it just a gimmick or an awesome family adventure?
After spending a full day at the only construction theme park Diggerland USA in West Berlin, New Jersey, with my kids, here’s my no-fluff breakdown: what we loved, what we didn’t, whether it’s worth your money and time, and who this park is perfect for.
What Is Diggerland USA?
Diggerland USA is the only construction-themed amusement park in the United States where kids and adults can operate real machines in a safe, supervised environment. Think bulldozers, backhoes, and mini excavators you’d normally see on a job site… Except this time, your child is behind the controls.
Located in West Berlin, New Jersey, just 30 minutes from Philadelphia, Diggerland is a hybrid between a traditional theme park and an interactive worksite experience making it one of the most unique family attractions in the country.
It’s not just about digging dirt. Diggerland USA blends:
- Hands-on construction equipment rides
- Traditional family rides like carousels and tractors
- Obstacle courses, ropes challenges, and rock walls
- And access to The Water Main a full-featured waterpark included with your ticket
This is not your average amusement park. If your kid is obsessed with trucks, tractors, or anything that goes vroom, this is the place they’ll talk about for weeks. It’s ideal for visitors of all ages, birthday celebrations, educational group trips, or just a unique weekend family adventure.
Learn more on the official site →
Diggerland USA Location & Ticket Info
Where Is Diggerland USA Located?
Diggerland USA is located at:
100 Pinedge Drive, West Berlin, NJ 08091
Just:
- 🚗 30 minutes from Philadelphia
- 🚗 2 hours from Baltimore
- 🚗 3 hours from New York City and Washington, D.C.
It’s the perfect day trip destination or weekend getaway for families on the East Coast looking for something unique to do with kids.
How Much Are Tickets to Diggerland USA?
- General Admission: Starting at $45.99 per person
(Prices may vary depending on the season, date, and availability. Children under 36” are usually admitted free.) - Admission Includes:
- Full access to all amusement park rides
- Access to The Water Main waterpark
Money-Saving Tip: Use this link to get $4 off per ticket (online only, can’t be combined with other offers).
Parking & Perks
- Free on-site parking
- Picnic tables available, though outside food is limited (water bottles and small snacks only)
- On-site dining and souvenir shops
Hours of Operation
- The Water Main (Waterpark): Opens at 10:00 AM
- Theme Park Rides: Begin at 12:00 PM
- Season: Open from Spring through Fall (typically March–November)
Be sure to check the website for holiday hours, weather-related closures, and special events.
Why Diggerland Might Be Worth It
1. You Get to Drive Real Construction Equipment (Not Just Pretend)
Forget about ride-on toys or fake steering wheels. At Diggerland, kids who are 36 inches or taller can operate actual construction heavy machinery with real controls.
Your child can:
- Scoop and dump dirt using a mini excavator
- Cruise around in a skid-steer
- Flatten ground with a pint-sized steamroller
- Spin on a modified turntable ride made from diggers
The machinery is adapted for safety, but the controls and feel are completely authentic. It’s like giving your kid a hands-on fun jobsite experience but without the hard hat and union dues. This kind of interactive play is rare at theme parks and unforgettable.
And yes, adults can join the fun too.
2. Two Parks in One: Dry Rides + Water Fun
Your ticket isn’t just for dusty adventures. It also gets you into The Water Main, Diggerland’s on-site waterpark that’s surprisingly full-featured. It includes:
- A massive wave pool
- Splash zones for little ones
- Water slides like Claw Hammer Cove and Pipeline
Diggerland USA Pool Hours:
- Waterpark opens at 10:00 AM
- Amusement rides open at 12:00 PM
Cool off after playing in the dirt without leaving the park. Perfect for hot summer weekends when your kids want everything at once.
3. You Can Do Everything in One Visit
With 40+ attractions, the park is big enough to stay exciting, but small enough to explore without exhaustion. We:
- Rode the diggers
- Tackled the ropes course
- Splashed at The Water Main
- Ate lunch
- And still left with energy to spare
No need to plan a multi-day trip, and no cranky “we didn’t get to do that!” moments.
4. It’s Great for All Ages (Really)
Have a toddler, a 7-year-old, and a tween? No problem. This park understands families with kids at different stages. My younger kids loved:
- The low-key rides
- The gentle splash pads
- And digging in the dirt zones
Meanwhile, my older ones were all about:
- The ropes courses
- Rock climbing
- And operating full-sized heavy equipment
Parents can either join in or kick back and enjoy the controlled chaos from the sidelines.
Easy to Navigate, Easy to Love
Here’s what surprised me most: Diggerland isn’t one of those mega parks that leave you lost and frustrated by 2:00 PM. Instead, it offers:
- Free, easy parking
- A walkable layout no trams, buses, or hour-long treks between zones
- Manageable crowds that don’t crush your soul
Compared to mega-parks, Diggerland USA felt peaceful. We weren’t running, waiting, or checking maps every five minutes.
For parents, that’s a vacation in itself.
Things to Consider Before You Go
Before packing your mini hard hats and sunscreen, here are a few important things to consider that can help you avoid surprises and get the most out of your day at Diggerland USA.
- It’s a One-Day Park (And That’s a Good Thing)
You don’t need a 3-day itinerary or a fitness tracker to enjoy this park. Most families can comfortably:
- Ride every attraction
- Hit the waterpark
- Grab a meal or snack
- Be back in the car by late afternoon
Expect to spend 4–5 hours if you want to do everything at a relaxed pace. That makes Diggerland perfect for day trips or quick weekend adventures.
- Height Restrictions Apply
Most of the construction rides require children to be at least 36 inches tall to participate safely.
- Not a Thrill-Seeker’s Paradise
If you’re looking for roller coasters, haunted drop towers, or high-speed rides, you won’t find them here. Diggerland is all about interactive play and exploration, not adrenaline.
- It’s Mostly Outdoors—So Plan for Weather
Diggerland is a wide-open, outdoor park. That means:
- Bring sunscreen, hats, and reusable water bottles for sunny days
- Have a backup plan in case of rain many rides shut down during storms
- Pack extra clothes or a towel if you’re visiting the waterpark too
Pro tip: Crowds are lighter on cloudy days but check weather alerts for closures before heading out.
- Food Policy: Know What You Can Bring
- Allowed: Sealed water bottles and small snacks (think granola bars or fruit pouches)
- Not allowed: Outside meals, sandwiches, or coolers
There are on-site dining options (burgers, pizza, drinks), but lines can get long during lunch rush. You can also exit and re-enter if you prefer to eat off-site.
Pro tip: Want to save time? Eat early (before noon) or later (after 2 PM) to beat the lines.
6. Dress Smart for Digging & Splashing
Since you’ll likely be doing both land rides and water fun:
- Wear quick-dry or lightweight clothes
- Closed-toe shoes are required for many machinery attractions
- Don’t forget swimsuits, flip-flops, and a towel for The Water Main
Make It a Weekend Getaway
Diggerland USA is awesome as a day trip, but if you’re coming from out of town or want to turn it into a weekend your kids will remember, South Jersey offers plenty of nearby attractions to round out your adventure. From fairy tale rides to surf simulators, here’s how to upgrade your dig day into a mini-vacation:
Storybook Land (≈ 30 minutes away)
📍 6415 E Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234
🌐 Storybookland.com
Step into a world of nursery rhymes and classic tales. Storybook Land is a gentle, fairytale-themed park designed for younger children (ideal for ages 2–7). Expect:
- Gentle rides based on nursery rhymes
- Meet-and-greet characters like Mother Goose
- Plenty of shade, benches, and stroller-friendly paths
A peaceful, photogenic half-day experience—perfect before heading home.
🌊 Atlantic City Boardwalk & Steel Pier (≈ 45 minutes away)
📍 Atlantic City, NJ 08401
🌐 Visitatlanticcity.com
For families looking for classic beachside entertainment, Atlantic City offers:
- Steel Pier amusement rides and carnival games
- A free public beach (bring towels and sunscreen!)
- Arcades, shops, and restaurants on the iconic boardwalk
- Spa breaks or quick casino visits for parents while kids nap
Equal parts fun and nostalgia are great for a sunny day or evening stroll.
Island Waterpark at Showboat, Atlantic City
📍 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Learn more about our experience at The Showboat Island Waterpark.
Located inside the Showboat Hotel, this indoor beachfront waterpark is one of the largest of its kind. Highlights include:
- 11 waterslides
- Surf simulators and splash areas
- On-site restaurants, bars, and cabanas
- Year-round fun—perfect for rainy days
Perfect for families seeking an all-weather beach vibe just steps from the boardwalk.
Sahara Sam’s / Big Kahuna’s Indoor Water Park (right next door)
📍 535 N Route 73, West Berlin, NJ 08091
Learn more about our experience at Big Kahuna’s Indoor Water Park, now known as Sahara Sam’s.
Right next to Diggerland, Formerly Sahara Sam’s, this indoor water park was recently rebranded as Big Kahuna’s, and then recently returned to the Sahara Sam’s Water Park name. It offers:
- Year-round access under a climate-controlled retractable roof
- Water slides, a lazy river, splash zones, and the FlowRider surf simulator
- Seasonal outdoor pool area, including wave pool and splash zones (visitnj.org), during warmer months
Great backup plan for rainy days or extended fun after Diggerland.
Deptford Mall (≈ 25 minutes away)
📍 1750 Deptford Center Rd, Deptford, NJ
🌐 Deptfordmall.com
Got a rainy day or just want something more low-key?
This large, indoor mall features:
- Round1 Bowling & Arcade for family fun
- Kid-friendly restaurants and quick bites
- Indoor play areas and 150+ stores
A solid chill-out option after two days of rides, splashes, and crowds.
Clementon Park & Splash World (≈ 15 minutes away)
📍 144 Berlin Road, Clementon, NJ 08021
🌐 Clementonpark.com
This sister park offers a more classic amusement park experience with:
- Roller coasters and family rides
- A water park with slides and splash zones
- Arcade games and carnival-style snacks
Perfect if your family wants a second day of thrills or a change of pace from construction machines.
Downtown Haddonfield (≈ 25 minutes away)
📍 Kings Hwy E, Haddonfield, NJ 08033
🌐 Facebook
Need a breather after all the excitement? Take a walk through this charming, historic town full of:
- Independent boutique shops
- Sidewalk cafés and bakeries
- Toy stores and ice cream parlors
- Walkable streets with cozy colonial architecture
The perfect slow-paced, scenic wrap-up to your high-energy weekend.
Nearby Hotels to Stay
Planning an overnight trip or weekend getaway to Diggerland USA? Here are some of the best family-friendly hotels located within a 10–20 minute drive of the park. Whether you want budget-friendly convenience or a suite with extra room to stretch, these nearby stays check all the boxes.
Hampton Inn Philadelphia/Voorhees (≈ 10 minutes away)
📍 320 NJ-73, Voorhees Township, NJ 08043
🌐 Hilton.com
- Free hot breakfast
- Indoor pool and fitness center
- Family-friendly rooms and clean facilities
- Easy highway access and close to dining options
A reliable, budget-friendly choice that’s close to the action and includes all the basics you’ll need.
SpringHill Suites by Marriott Voorhees Mt. Laurel/Cherry Hill (≈ 12 minutes away)
📍 1031 Voorhees Dr, Voorhees Township, NJ 08043
🌐 Marriott.com
- Spacious suites with separate living/sleeping areas
- Free breakfast and coffee station
- Free parking and Wi-Fi
- Ideal for families who want more space after a big day out
Great for larger families or those who want to relax in comfort after hours of digging and splashing.
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Mt. Laurel (≈ 20 minutes away)
📍 515 Fellowship Rd N, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054
🌐 Hilton.com
- Warm cookies at check-in
- Indoor pool and courtyard views
- Spacious two-room suites
- On-site restaurant and close to major retail/dining hubs
A more upscale, relaxing option if you want extra comfort and convenience on your family weekend.
Pro Tip: Many of these hotels are close to Sahara Sam’s, Clementon Park, and Deptford Mall, making them great basecamps if you plan to visit more than one attraction during your trip.
So, Is It Worth It?
Yes. If your kids are 3 years old or 36 inches tall and into machines, you live nearby or want a unique family experience, and you don’t need high-speed thrills. Not quite. If you’re traveling far with very young kids or expecting something on the scale of Disney or Six Flags.
Diggerland USA was a hit for my family. It’s different, interactive, and filled with those “wow” moments kids talk about for days. Plus, it’s manageable. No long lines. No chaos. Just digging, splashing, and making memories.
