Seabreeze Amusement Park sits on the shore where Irondequoit Bay meets Lake Ontario in Irondequoit, New York, just outside Rochester. Opened in 1879 as Sea Breeze Grove, it ranks among the oldest operating amusement parks in the United States, tracing its roots back to picnickers arriving by train on the old Rochester & Lake Ontario Railroad.
Owned and operated by the Norris-Price family for generations, Seabreeze has grown from a simple lakeside picnic grove into a 35-acre park blending vintage rides with a modern water park. Its biggest claim to fame is the Jack Rabbit, a wooden roller coaster that opened in 1920 and is recognized as the oldest continuously operating roller coaster in the United States.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Irondequoit, New York (Rochester area)
- Operator: Norris-Price family
- Opened: 1879
- Size: About 35 acres
- Signature attraction: Jack Rabbit roller coaster (opened 1920)
- Water park: Raging Rivers, added 1986
The Ride Experience
The heart of Seabreeze is the Jack Rabbit, a wooden coaster designed by famed engineer John A. Miller and built in 1920 using his early underfriction wheel system, which helped lock cars securely to the track. A 1923 fire destroyed the ride’s original station and first drop, but it was rebuilt and has run continuously ever since, earning an American Coaster Enthusiasts Centennial Coaster honor in 2020.
Beyond the Jack Rabbit, Seabreeze mixes additional coasters and classic midway rides with the Raging Rivers water park, giving visitors a combined dry-ride-and-splash day that’s rare among parks of its size and vintage.
A Rochester Landmark
Seabreeze’s longevity makes it a fixture of local history, having survived more than a century of changing tastes, a fire, and even a full closed season during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 before reopening in 2021. Its lakeside location near Irondequoit Bay has remained a constant draw for Rochester-area families for generations.
Explore more: Explore more theme parks.
Soak, snap and drape. A cooling towel takes the edge off a 45-minute midday queue in July.
Park apps, mobile ordering and photos kill a battery by 3 p.m. This one snaps on magnetically, so there's no cable to snag on a restraint.
Ride with your glasses on and keep them. Many parks allow glasses on rides if they're strapped, so check the ride rules first.
Seabreeze Amusement Park FAQs
How old is Seabreeze Amusement Park?
Seabreeze opened in 1879, making it one of the oldest operating amusement parks in the United States.
What is the oldest ride at Seabreeze?
The Jack Rabbit, a wooden roller coaster that opened in 1920, is the oldest continuously operating roller coaster in the United States.
Does Seabreeze have a water park?
Yes, the Raging Rivers water park was added to Seabreeze in 1986 and operates alongside the park’s rides.
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