Complete Guide to U.S. Amusement Parks
Summer’s here, and the kids are getting restless. That means one thing: Time for an amusement park! From coast to coast, these parks keep kids (and kids at heart) happy with fun rides and more!
Related To:
Photo By: Castle Park
Photo By: Disney
Photo By: Legoland
Photo By: SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment
Photo By: Universal Studios Hollywood
Photo By: Elitch Gardens
Photo By: Lake Compounce
Photo By: Chris Darr
Photo By: SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment
Photo By: Discovery Cove
Photo By: SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment
Photo By: Disney
Photo By: Six Flags Over Georgia
Photo By: Silverwood
Photo By: Six Flags Theme Park
Photo By: Courtesy of Holiday World
Photo By: Adventureland Park
Photo By: Beech Bend Park
Photo By: New Orleans City Park
Photo By: Funtown
Photo By: Six Flags Theme Park
Photo By: Six Flags Theme Park
Photo By: Michigan's Adventure
Photo By: Valleyfair Amusement Park
Photo By: Six Flags Theme Park
Photo By: Fun-Plex
Photo By: MGM Resorts International
Photo By: Santa’s Village
Photo By: Luna Park
Photo By: Carowinds
Photo By: Cedar Point
Photo By: Dorney Park
Photo By: Hersheypark
Photo By: Dollywood
Photo By: Schlitterbahn Waterparks and Resorts
Photo By: SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment
Photo By: Lagoon Park
Photo By: SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment
Photo By: Riverfront Park
Castle Park in Riverside, California
In Southern California, head to Castle Park. You’ll love the park’s medieval castle, mini golf course and 21 amusement rides, such as Merlin’s Revenge and Dragon Flyer (pictured).
More California Amusement Parks:
Adventure City - Anaheim
Belmont Park - San Diego
California's Great America - Santa Clara
Castle Park - Riverside
Children's Fairyland - Oakland
Funderland Amusement Park - Sacramento
Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park - Gilroy
Disneyland in Anaheim, California
Beyond Disneyland’s entrance, the wonder of childhood dreams await: Step inside Sleeping Beauty’s Castle; take a ride through Splash Mountain; and hop aboard a carriage as you take in the sights of Main Street, in the “happiest place on Earth.”
More California Amusement Parks:
Knott's Berry Farm -- Buena Park
Pacific Park -- Santa Monica
Pixieland Amusement Park -- Concord
Rotary Storyland & Playland -- Fresno
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk -- Santa Cruz
Legoland in Carlsbad, California
Love Legos? You got to visit this Legoland -- the first one outside of Europe. Spread across 128 acres in Carlsbad, California, "Legoland greets the kids with a welcoming dinosaur right by the entrance. Lie inside a life-sized dinosaur footprint on Dino Island; venture into the wilds of Africa in Duplo Village or get soaked with 350 gallons of water at the waterpark.
More California Amusement Parks:
Scandia Amusement Park -- Sacramento and Victorville
SeaWorld San Diego
A San Diego attraction since 1964, SeaWorld San Diego upped the ante in summer 2012 when it launched Manta, the mega-coaster that features two launches of up to 43 m.p.h. Manta joins park mainstays like the Dolphin Point exhibit, the Bayside Skyride gondola ride and the Sky Tower, a 320-foot-high panoramic tower.
More California Amusement Parks:
Six Flags Magic Mountain -- Valencia
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom -- Vallejo
Universal Studios Hollywood in California
Elitch Gardens Theme Park in Denver
Lake Compounce in Bristol, Connecticut
You’re looking at the oldest continuously-operating amusement park in the U.S. Lake Compounce first opened its doors in 1846. Today, the amusement park spans 332 acres, with more than 40 rides, including Thunder n' Lightning (pictured). The park also has a beach and waterpark.
More Connecticut Amusement Parks:
Quassy Amusement Park -- Middlebury
Funland in Rehoboth, Delaware
Aquatica Orlando in Florida
There’s a reason this is the ninth-most visited amusement park in the U.S.: Spanning 200 acres, Aquatica Orlando showcases live shows and animal exhibits -- stingrays, turtles, flamingos and more -- plus rides like Dolphin Plunge, the most popular ride in the park.
More Florida Amusement Parks:
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay -- Tampa
Fun Spot -- Kissimmee
Fun Spot -- Orlando
Legoland Florida -- Winter Haven
Old Town -- Kissimmee
Discovery Cove in Orlando, Florida
What kid wouldn’t love swimming with (and smooching!) a bottlenose dolphin? Interactive fun is yours at Discovery Cove. Also snorkel alongside rays in the Grand Reef and wade through water in the Freshwater Oasis, where a face-to-face encounter with an otter awaits.
More Florida Amusement Parks:
Sam's Fun City -- Pensacola
Silver Springs -- Ocala
Weeki Wachee Springs -- Spring Hill
SeaWorld Orlando in Florida
Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida
Six Flags Over Georgia in Austell, Georgia
Just west of Atlanta, Six Flags Over Georgia spans 290 acres, with more than 40 rides -- including Batman: The Ride (pictured). Twirl in a 98-foot-wide circle -- as your feet dangle 24 stories above ground and wind blows in your face at 40 m.p.h. You just might scream.
More Georgia Amusement Parks:
Lake Winnepesaukah -- Rossville
Wild Adventures -- Valdosta
Silverwood in Athol, Idaho
Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois
Another reason Chicago is our kind of town: Six Flags Great America. Located in Chi-town’s metro area, this theme park boasts 51 rides (including 13 roller coasters and four water rides) spread across 304 acres. Hop aboard Columbia Carousel, the world’s tallest carousel, and Raging Bull, the park’s tallest, longest and fastest coaster.
More Illinois Amusement Parks:
Santa's Village Azoosment Park -- East Dundee
Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana
This combo theme park-waterpark in southern Indiana celebrates the holiday spirit year-round; Holiday World is divided into four themes: Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Fourth of July. Its Splashin' Safari waterpark has the two best-ranked water coasters in the world: Wildebeest and Mammoth.
More Indiana Amusement Parks:
Indiana Beach -- Monticello
Adventureland in Altoona, Iowa
This family-owned amusement park has you covered, with more than 100 rides, shows and attractions. Adventureland spans 180 acres, making it the biggest family resort in all of Iowa. Don’t miss the Giant Skywheel, the largest open-gondola wheel built in the U.S. since the 1800s. Plus, take a dip in Adventure Bay waterpark.
More Iowa Amusement Parks:
Arnolds Park Amusement Park -- Arnolds Park
Beech Bend Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky
If you’re in Kentucky with the kids, Beech Bend is the place to go. Take a ride on one of three coasters (Kentucky Rumbler is the star, with a 96-foot drop). Enjoy Granny Jones’ Petting Farm (sheep, goats and more); and ride Sea Dragon, which was purchased from Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch.
More Kentucky Amusement Parks:
Guntown Mountain -- Cave City
Carousel Gardens in New Orleans
The 15 rides at this seasonally operated amusement park will have your kids smiling. Hop aboard the antique coaster -- one of only 100 carousels of its kind in the U.S. -- that’s been a fixture of Carousel Gardens for more than a century. Take a ride on the Miniature Train, or cool off with a trip down the Fun Slide.
More Louisiana Amusement Parks:
Dixie Landin' -- Baton Rouge
Funtown Splashtown USA in Saco, Maine
This family-owned amusement park features Excalibur, the only wooden roller coaster in Maine; it’s also the tallest and longest roller coaster in northern New England. Funtown’s other attractions include Dragon’s Descent (a 220-foot-tall drop tower) and Splashtown waterpark, with 18 waterslides and pools.
More Maine Amusement Parks:
Palace Playland -- Old Orchard Beach
York's Wild Kingdom -- York Beach
Six Flags America in Mitchellville, Maryland
Just 15 miles from D.C., and 30 miles southwest of Baltimore, Maryland’s only theme park goes all out, with more than 100 rides, slides and shows. Of them all, Six Flags America’s top attraction is Superman: Ride of Steel, one of the tallest coasters on the East Coast.
More Maryland Amusement Parks:
Frontier Town -- Berlin
Jolly Ranger -- Ocean City
Trimper Rides -- Ocean City
Six Flags New England in Agawam, Massachusetts
Visiting Connecticut or Massachusetts this summer? Take the kids to Six Flags New England. Less than a mile from the Connecticut border, and three miles from Springfield, Massachusetts, this park houses Superman: The Ride, formerly called Bizarro, one of the world’s top coasters with a new virtual reality feature.
More Massachusetts Amusement Parks:
Edaville USA -- Carver
Salem Willows -- Salem
Michigan’s Adventure in Muskegon, Michigan
You want adventure? You’ve come to the right place! Spanning 250 acres, Michigan’s Adventure is the largest amusement park in the state, with 53 rides -- including Shivering Timbers roller coaster -- as well as WildWater Adventure, an outdoor waterpark.
More Michigan Amusement Parks:
Crossroads Village -- Crossroads Village
Deer Acres Storybook Amusement Park -- Pinconning
Dutch Village -- Holland
Stagecoach Shop USA -- Irish Hills
Valleyfair Amusement Park in Shakopee, Minnesota
This 125-acre playground is your ticket to fun! At Valleyfair Amusement Park, choose from among 48 rides, including eight roller coasters -- try Wild Thing, a steel beast that’s currently the tallest coaster in the park.
More Minnesota Amusement Parks:
Como Town -- St. Paul
Six Flags in St. Louis, Missouri
Home to nearly 10 roller coasters, Six Flags St. Louis added Boomerang to its lineup in 2013. The steel roller coaster leads you on a pulsating vertical loop ride reaching speeds of 47 m.p.h. -- in just under two minutes. Keep the adrenaline pumping at Six Flag’s Hurricane Harbor water park, home to Bonzai Pipeline, the looping waterslide.
More Missouri Amusement Parks:
Route 66 Carousel Park -- Joplin
Silver Dollar City -- Branson
Worlds of Fun -- Kansas City
Fun-Plex in Omaha, Nebraska
The Roller Coaster in Las Vegas, Nevada
Head to the New York-New York Hotel & Casino on the Strip for the ride of your life: a 203-foot lift, then a 144-foot drop -- that’s just the start of what awaits aboard The Roller Coaster. Did we mention the speed on this exhilarating ride is 67 m.p.h.
More Nevada Amusement Parks:
Buffalo Bill's Hotel and Casino -- Primm
Stratosphere Tower Thrill Rides -- Las Vegas
Santa’s Village in Jefferson, New Hampshire
Since 1953, Santa’s Village has entertained the whole family with holiday magic. Ride above the trees in Santa’s Skyway Sleigh; hop aboard Rudolph on the Reindeer Carousel; and get behind the wheel of a bumper car -- they’re among the 16 rides the kids will enjoy at this Christmas-themed amusement park.
More New Hampshire Amusement Parks:
Canobie Lake Park -- Sale
Clark's Trading Post -- North Woodstock
Hampton Beach -- Hampton Beach
Six Gun City -- Jefferson
Story Land -- Glen
Luna Park in Coney Island, New York
Ride the granddaddy of all roller coasters: Coney Island’s Cyclone. Luna Park’s other thrill rides include Electro Spin and Sling Shot -- who wouldn’t want to get shot up over 150 feet in the air… at 90 mph?
More New York Amusement Parks:
Adventureland -- Farmingdale
Darien Lake -- Darien Center
Deno's Wonder Wheel -- Coney Island
Enchanted Forest -- Old Forge
The Great Escape -- Queensbury
Carowinds in Charlotte, North Carolina
See the Thrill Capital of the Southeast! The 398-acre Carowinds is home to 13 roller coasters. Can you brave Afterburn and Intimidator?
More North Carolina Amusement Parks:
Ghost Town in the Sky -- Maggie
Gold City -- Franklin
Santa's Land -- Cherokee
Tweetsie Railroad -- Bowling Rock
Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio
Explore the second-oldest amusement park in the U.S. (behind Connecticut’s Lake Compounce). Opened in 1870, Cedar Point boasts 72 rides, including stars like Millennium Force!
More Ohio Amusement Parks:
Coney Island -- Cincinnati
Jungle Jack's Landing -- Powell
King's Island -- Mason
Memphis Kiddie Park -- Brooklyn
Stricker's Grove -- Hamilton
Oaks Amusement Park in Portland, Oregon
A short way’s from downtown Portland is Oaks Amusement Park. Spread across 44 acres, the park includes Looping Thunder, a steel looping roller coaster; Disk'O, a pulsating flat ride; and the Rock-O-Plane, kind of like a Ferris wheel, only these seats rock and roll!
More Oregon Amusement Parks:
Enchanted Forest -- Salem
Dorney Park in Allentown, Pennsylvania
“Two Great Parks for the Price of One” is no exaggeration: Located between N.Y.C. and Philadelphia, Dorney Park is also home to Wildwater Kingdom waterpark. Try braving Steel Force, the world’s ninth-longest steel roller coaster. Or kick back in a cabana rental within the waterpark.
More Pennsylvania Amusement Parks:
Bushkill Park -- Easton
DelGrosso Amusement Park -- Tipton
Dutch Wonderland -- Lancaster
Idlewild and Story Book Forest -- Ligonier
Kennywood -- West Mifflin
Knoebels Amusement Resort -- Elysburg
Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania
More than 65 rides and other attractions await at this oh-so-sweet family theme park. Head to Hersheypark for a mix of high-adrenaline thrill rides and more laid-back fun, from the extreme coaster Skyrush, to the more leisurely Intercoastal Waterway water ride.
More Pennsylvania Amusement Parks:
Lakemont Park -- Altoona
Sesame Place -- Langhorne
Waldemeer Park -- Erie
Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Head to the biggest ticketed tourist attraction in Tennessee: Spread across 150 acres, Dollywood showcases 27 rides, including six roller coasters: You owe it to yourself to try Dollywood’s Thunderhead -- our own Bert Kreischer calls it the best wooden coaster he’s ridden!
More Tennessee Amusement Parks:
Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park -- Chattanooga
Fun Mountain -- Gatlinburg
Ober Gatlinburg -- Gatlinburg
Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels, Texas
“Slippery road” is what this waterpark’s name literally translates to -- and with three locations in Texas, Schlitterbahn delivers with tube chutes, kiddie pools and water coasters. Brave the Downhill Racer -- we dare you not to scream.
More Texas Amusement Parks:
Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier -- Galveston
Joyland -- Lubbock
Kemah Boardwalk -- Kemah
Kiddie Acres -- Austin
Kiddie Park -- San Antonio
Six Flags Over Texas -- Arlington
SeaWorld San Antonio in Texas
One of the largest of the three parks in the SeaWorld chain, SeaWorld San Antonio spans 250 acres, with a marine mammal park, oceanarium and theme park. See One Ocean (the newest Shamu show), explore aviary habitats, and ride on The Great White, the park’s first coaster, which reaches speeds of 50 m.p.h.
More Texas Amusement Parks:
Six Flags Fiesta Texas -- San Antonio
Lagoon in Farmington, Utah
Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia
Head to Busch Gardens for an edge-of-your-seat ride on coasters Alpengeist, Griffon and Apollo’s Chariot.
More Virginia Amusement Parks:
Dinosaur Land -- White Post
King's Dominion -- Doswell
Riverfront Park in Spokane, Washington
Every spring and summer, Spokane’s 100-acre Riverfront Park sees its Pavilion transformed into an amusement park wonderland: Enjoy rides like the Sizzler, which speeds up to 70 m.p.h., and the Spider, which, you guessed it, will have you spinning and twirling.
More Washington Amusement Parks:
Wild Waves -- Federal Way
Fun Forest -- Seattle