We’re back and just in time for summer with our list of the 10 Best Amusement Parks in America as voted on by the travel enthusiasts here at USA Travel Guide with a little help from our readers. From Pennsylvania to Florida to California, we’re spanning the nation and listing top picks all along the way.
For this list we considered amusement and theme parks of any size. Waterparks are also in the running (and one did quite well), however we have chosen to exclude animal-focused parks, as many of these were eligible in our last list, the Top Ten Zoos in America.
What did it take to make the list? Above all else: rides! We looked for a variety of rides, both type and age level, and as thrill fans ourselves, we turned a caring eye to roller coasters. Beyond that, we weighted shows, concessions, quality and cleanliness of facilities, helpfulness of staff, kid-friendliness, customer value and the overall look of the park into the mix. In the case of multi-parks, these are treated as one as long as a reasonable multi-park ticket option is in place.
And now, the 10 Best Amusement Parks in America!
#10 – Legoland in Carlsbad, California
If you’re anything like me, then Legos are something you never grow out of entirely. You don’t have to build something everyday, but you’d much rather see a sculpture made of Legos than boring old marble or stone. Legoland California in Carlsbad, CA is for people like that, well, and for kids of any age. Legoland California stretches its alluring, nostalgic theme over 50 rides, shows and attractions that are friendly to younger children and consistently fun for all. All nine sections have plenty to see and do, but for Lego buffs like me, the favorite has to be Miniland USA. Here you’ll see stunningly accurate Lego models of New York City, San Francisco, Washington D.C. and many others.
Ride intensity and height requirements skew smaller at Legoland California, so this is a great park for kids.
Legoland is open year-round with varying hours and blackout days. Web site.
#9 – Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois
Six Flags is a dependable brand for thrill-lovers needing a little mid-summer fun, and at the top of the pack we like Chicago’s own Six Flags Great America. With nearly 70 rides to enjoy, including 10 adult coasters, there’s no shortage of options here for anyone who loves classic amusement park entertainment. Must-rides include last year’s addition, The Dark Knight, the park’s first indoor and part-dark coaster, and the famous Raging Bull, a massive steel “hyper-twister” and frequent award winner. Park admission also includes access to Hurricane Harbor, the adjacent waterpark.
Seasonal calendar runs May to October with varying hours/days. Web site.
#8 – Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, Pennsylvania
With the installation of a swimming pool, a steam-powered carousel and a few picnic tables in 1926, Knoebels Amusement Resort humbly began, and it has since evolved day by day into a historic park with plenty to love and personality to spare. Proclaiming itself, “America’s Largest Free Admission Park”, Knoebels offers free admission and parking, with rides available either a la carte (about $0.75 – $4.00/ride) or through an all-day pass ($29.50 – $37.00). Currently projected to open in June 2009 is Flying Turns, the only wooden bobsled roller coaster in America.
Knoebels is an Amusement Today Golden Ticket winner for Best Food for seven years running now. There are several great restaurants, both sit-down and counter-style, but we prefer the flagship choice: The Alamo. Campgrounds are also available.
Seasonal calendar runs May to September with varying hours/days. Web site.
#7 – Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida
Having seen countless end-caps on Nickelodeon featuring the iconic Universal Studios Globe as a child, this Orlando, Florida juggernaut was always more exciting to me than Disneyland or Six Flags. When I finally saw it for myself, it did not disappoint! With more entertainment than you can experience in a whole week across two large parks and the retail-centric CityWalk, the Universal Orlando Resort is simply a lifetime must. At this theme park, rides and attractions are based on popular movie and TV show properties, including Shrek, Men in Black, The Mummy, Terminator, Jaws (a classic, as always) and so on. The new The Simpsons RideTM is just awesome!
Even more exciting for thrill fans is the sister park, Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Separated into five sections, or islands, this park takes guests on a journey through the world of Marvel super heroes, Dr. Seuss, Jurassic Park and others.
Both parks open daily with hours varying by season. 2-park tickets available. Web site.
#6 – Busch Gardens Williamsburg in Williamsburg, Virginia
With a full roster of past awards to place upon its mantle, Busch Gardens Williamsburg is one of the most beloved theme parks in America, and it makes our list easy. Most apparent about Busch Gardens Williamsburg is the sheer beauty of the park. Well-maintained with a unique design, this place is almost as fun to walk as it is to ride. The ten sections, or hamlets, are inspired by countries in Europe, from Scotland to Germany, and the quality of the theme décor never fails to impress.
Nor do the rides, especially the Griffon, the world’s tallest and fastest dive machine coaster. We also like the shows here in particular, many of them inspired by the “countries” that present them.
Seasonal hours from April to October. Regular admission tickets function as season tickets until September 7, 2009. Web site.
#5 – Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California
For hundreds of thousands of theme park fans, Disneyland could never be anything but #1, but even in fifth position there’s no question that Disneyland Park and the larger resort, with 20 million annual visitors combined, is simply one of the best. Disneyland Park, the original opened by Walt Disney himself in 1955, is visited by more than 14 million guests every year, the second most of any theme park in the world, and you can bet that this jam-packed park has something for them all.
So much of what makes Disney theme parks famous started at Disneyland: the monorail, It’s a Small World, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, Haunted Mansion, The Matterhorn, true classics! Today, the exploration is near endless with Disneyland Park, Disney’s California Adventure and Downtown Disney to discover. More than a park, Disneyland is a cultural rite of passage.
Hours vary by season. Park Hopper® tickets available. Learn more.
4. Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels, Texas
You didn’t think we were going to leave our home state in the lurch, did you? Not a chance! The only waterpark to make the list, and easily our favorite, is Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort in New Braunfels, Texas. Featuring three incredible parks (for one admission), 40+ rides, 17 slides, nine tube chutes, uphill water coasters, three lazy rivers and more than three miles of tube rides, Schlitterbahn is simply massive, and the variety is staggering.
The original park, Schlitterbahn West, is the place to find the classic tube chutes and it remains our favorites to this day. In the newest park, Blastenhoff, you’ll find the Master Blaster, the uphill water roller coaster that everyone should give at least one ride. Unusual these days, Schlitterbahn still allows guest to bring their own concessions, but they request no alcohol or glass.
Open late May to September, hours vary. Learn more.
3. King’s Island in Mason, Ohio
At this point, it really gets tough. King’s Island started much lower on the list, but as the debate raged back and forth it crawled higher and higher on one simple fact: this is a good, old-fashioned, pretension-free, no guff, no gimmicks thrill-park.
It’s also humongous, with 364 acres of park grounds boasting over 80 rides and attractions. Coaster-enthusiasts take note: this is the kind of park for you! King’s Island features 15 roller coasters including Beast, the world’s longest wooden roller coaster, and Son of Beast, the world’s fastest and tallest wooden roller coaster. The 2009 addition, Diamondback, is causing quite a stir already, so we can’t wait to get up there again to check it out.
King’s Island also features an admission-included waterpark and multi-award-winning Kid’s park called Nickelodeon Universe.
Daily hours from late May to September. Learn more.
2. Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida
What isn’t there to say about Disney World? The largest, most-attended recreational complex in the world and home to some of the most iconic landmarks and imagery on the planet, Walt Disney World is an American pastime. You can call it expensive, you can call it corporate, but you can’t deny to sense of wonder that greets you at every turn.
The Disney World Resort is a collection of four theme parks and numerous other attractions like waterparks, shopping districts, concert venues and restaurants. The original park, and still the most popular to this day, is the Magic Kingdom, home of the world-famous Cinderella Castle and Main Street U.S.A. where the dazzling parades thrill the little ones and ignite the nostalgia of parents every day of the year. Guests also owe it to themselves to visit Epcot, unmistakable for its flagship attraction and landmark, Spaceship Earth. Though it wasn’t eligible for this list, Disney’s Animal Kingdom was one of our Top 10 Zoos in America.
Open year-round, seasonal hours. Park Hopper® tickets available. Learn more.
1. Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio
We had to go all the way to Ohio to find it, but it was well worth the trip. At 364-acres with 75 rides, ten shows, a water park and seventeen roller coasters, Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio packs more thrills per square foot than anywhere else on the planet, and that makes it our choice for the very best amusement park in America. Among the 17 coasters, the most of any park on Earth, you’ll find several notable must-rides. Magnum XL-200 was once the tallest and fastest steel coaster in the world. Mean Streak is surely one of the most visually arresting wooden coasters we’ve seen. And with its astonishing 120-mph, 400-ft. 90-degree drop, the Top Thrill Dragster separates the thrill-maniacs from everyone else in only 17 seconds!
If you’re heart needs a rest, settle into the audience for one of several award-winning shows, all brimming with good tunes and good laughs without too much cheese. Cedar Point has an adjacent waterpark, Soak City, available with either separate admission or with a combo ticket, not that the main park won’t have enough for you to do.
Daily hours last from late May to early September. Combo tickets available. Learn more.
There you have it! The 10 best amusement parks in America! There’s nothing else to wait for, so get out there and make it an unforgettable summer!
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44 Comments
Congratulations to the parks that made your list!
Santa’s got a list, too. :0)
Hope you can swing by Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana, this summer to try out our new Pilgrims Plunge, the World’s Tallest Water Ride. We’ve got some great coasters, too, and free soft drinks, parking and sunscreen.
Thanks, Paula
http://HolidayWorld.com
Twitter: @HolidayWorld
Thanks for writing in, Paula, and we absolutely agree!
Holiday World is a great park: fun rides, unusual theme, awesome amenities. I’m afraid it didn’t make the list, but there’s no doubt that Holiday World is a should-visit for any amusement park fan or family looking for a satisfying vacation that’s a little off the beaten path.
You hear that, readers. Check it out for sure!
kings island has the best rides and rollercoasters and ive rode all of them and ive been to all of those admusment parks on that list. im just a rollercoaster man
i think six flags magic mountain should be there to i love it =D
cedar point is without a question the best in the world. It earned the #1 spot. Ive been there and rode every single one worth riding. Its all day stomach dropping. DRAGSTER!!!!!!
What time of year is the best time to go to cedar park? Shortest lines.
im so glad cedar point got 1st i was there last tuesday it was amazing
sclittherbahn rocks
Sure does. I was planning another summer trip when I found out that Schlitterbahn West (the old park) was temporarily closed. I had to cancel. Schlitterbahn without the West park is no Schlitterbahn at all!
The best time to go Mike is either May when it first opens, or in September before it closes. That’s mainly because school start’s so theres less people there. Going during the summer isn’t bad if you avoid going on the weekend. I usually go on a Thursday, and that’s when the best lines are. I waited only a half an hour for the Top Thrill Dragster, and the park wasn’t busy at all. go to http://www.cedarpoint.com if you want more information.
how about splish splash the water park. it is the best!!! :]
Cedar Point is no question the best. with 17 roller coasters like theirs, you would be crazy not to go. Me and my family have season passes and we have made over 10 trips this summer. A season pass to cedar point is always worth it in the end!
Well I have been to most of these parks. Both Disney World and Disneyland almost every year, Since I was 8 years old. Disney World is something everyone needs to see. But I am a Roller Coaster Fan more than anything else. I’m from Detroit and try to check out Cedar Point every summer. It’s amazing, The Magnum is a classic and Millennum Force, the Raptor, and the Top Thrill Dragster are all Bad Ass Coasters! If you like wooden coasters they also have two great rides, The Mean Streak and the Gemini. This year my father and I went back to Kings Island. I haven’t been there in more than 20 years but this trip down memory lane was so worth it. First ride we went on was the Beast. This ride is 30 years old and it still has the same thrill it used to. Especially at night, You can’t see shit and this animal of a ride drops you twice and shakes the hell out of you! It’s so sweet, the ride is a true legend. The vortex is also a true classic. Then the new ride The Diamondback, I went on it six times. It was such a great ride, so smooth and super fast. I recommended to anyone that likes hugh rides.
holidayworld sucks
cedar point is definitely number one.
we were there yesterday as a matter of fact and are going again next week. you can never get tired of that park!!
its a great family environment and we make it a point to go several times a year with the whole family. its clean, safe, and very well-maintained.
but then again, we all knew ohio would be the state to pull this off! =]]
Thanks for your responses, everyone!
It sounds like we were right on with Cedar Point at the top spot. That’s kind of refreshing after the zoo debaucle.
Keep’em coming.
Shakur … Kings island is for ppl who like small thrills…. If you wanna grow a pair then go ride the coasters at Cedar Point and you will know why it is the best park on the planet
Without question, Cedar Point is the best of the best. It features the very best of coasters all overlooking one of the best beaches on Lake Erie. Make sure to check out Millineum Force and Top Thrill Dragster!
kings island is awesome. the beast is the best wooden coaster ever built and diamondback is way up there in the steel catagorie. I love kings island, but I want to take a trip to cedar point someday.
im doin a report and this website really helped thanx!!!!!!!!
Silver dollar city Branson Mo should be on the list
I have to agree with Cedar Point being in my home state and in my backyard. I go every year and it never gets old which its the second oldest park in America. And Kings Island is owned by Cedar Fairs which owns Cedar Point if many of you didnt know.
Kings Island is the best! I love the Firehawk and the Diamond back!!!!!!! I go there all the time
Cedar Point is the best amusement park. They constantly update the park with a new ride every few years; keep it clean and the people are courteous. It is right by the water and feels nice to see the water and boats when on the rides. I am from that area, lived there til nine yrs. old. Years ago when I was young it was not much, but over the years and with new owners they have made a beautiful park.
if your going to amusement park go to cedar point it is the best amusement park in the world and theres a lot to do even if your old or young. If you go to cedar point you will know why its the best amusement park ever. And ride milleniuem force i rode it and its my favorite coaster.
Cedar point is the bomb! every ride there is fun especually the millenium force the maverick and the magnum the dragster wasnt that fun bc it was only 17 seconds long and all you do is go straight up and then straight down! BORING!!!!!!!!!!
ohio rules, we have the best of everything, amusement parks, zoos, sports teams, we have it all.
i know cedar point is like the king of all amusement parks but i just love the atmosphere at good ole kings island.
ohio the bet place to vist
I agree that Cedar Point is the number 1 amusement park. They will continue to be, even as a park builds a better ride Cedar point comes right back with something even better. Im from cleveland and i wouldnt say the sports teams are the best but the fans are the best.
Hello! only one six flags on the list. #2 should definitely be Six Flags Magic Mountain no question. that park beats disney world any time. Disney world literally has no rides that are actually fun for all ages. Six flags magic mountain is a smaller version of cedar point and is entertaining for all ages. Seriously.
I LOVE CEDAR POINT. CEDAR POINT OWNS. ;D
Knoebels is HANDS DOWN the Best theme park in the world….Disney World, and Six Flags are so overrated…Knoebels just feels like home.
Cedar Point is no doubt the best amusement park if you like rollar coasters. My recommendation on when to come is mid to late May. School is still in session and you will pretty much be able to walk on all the rides. If it’s mid summer, go on a Tuesday and Wednesday. I also HIGHLY recommend going in October to what Cedar Point calls Halloweekends. They convert the entire park into a Halloween theme, the trees are in full foliage, and you just get invigorated by that autumn air.
If you’re from out of town and going to Cedar Point, make sure you build in a extra couple of days. Take the ferry over to Put-in-Bay Island. You will definitely have a story to tell your friends after a night of partying on Put-in-Bay (it gets crazy there). Also there is Khalahari Resort in Sandusky which is the largest indoor water park in America. Finally, charter a boat and do some fishing, tubing, or water skiing on lake erie and make sure to eat some lake erie perch!
And just like any other vacation spot, there are plenty of restaurants, shops, and golfing in and around Sandusky. The best thing is, that you get all of this and won’t have to pay Orlando or California prices!
To build on my previous post, I will provide you with a week long itinerary if you plan on going to Cedar Point.
Monday: Fly into Cleveland on Monday night and drive to Cedar Point which is about an hour and a half away. Check into the hotel and get a good night sleep.
Tuesday and Wednesday: Cedar Point and Soak City (you’ll need two day there)
Thursday: Water and golf day. Charter a boat and do some fishing, skiing, and tubing on Lake Erie . Or you can go jet skiing and parasailing. If you have time hit up 9 or 18 holes at Eagle Creek or Sawmill.
Friday: Island hop. Start at Kelly’s which is a low key island with winery’s and shops. Then jump back on the ferry and go over to Put-in-Bay island which is a true island party town. It’s a horseshoe of bars, shops and restaurants overlooking the bay. The bay will be full with a couple hundred boats of people just having some adult fun.
Saturday: If you have enough energy. Drive back to Cleveland and go to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Great Lakes Science Center. Once you’re done with that, go over to the warehouse district for some fine dining and a good bar scene. Close the night out at West 4th street to catch a stand-up comedy show at Hilarities 4th Street Theater, then head across the street to The House of Blues.
Sunday: travel day home.
I guarantee that if you follow this itinerary, you’ll never look at Cleveland and Northeast Ohio the same again.
Cedar Point is good if you are 5′ 6″ and shaped like a parking meter. if you are above 6 feet tall broad shouldered, built like a linebacker, have large feet size 16 or over, or are over a 36inch waist you will not be able to ride many of the rollercoasters. Top Thrill Dragster you will have to have a small waist and build to ride. Magnum XL if you are tall or have long legs your going to have a problem with the lap bar restraint. The Cedar Creek Mine ride is also a lap restraint and if you over 5′ 9″ you probably wont be able to ride this as they make you sit to one side. If they allowed you to sit in the center you could ride it being taller. Millenium Force you will not be able to bring the shoulder restraint down or buckle up if your broad shouldered, or have larger then a 36″ waist same goes for Raptor. Blue Streak is another one that if you have long legs is going to be a problem.
They will not give refunds at all, their are no disclaimers as to these limitations and on top of that when i went 2 days ago the waterpark was closed on friday but they were more then happy to sell a 2 day ride and slide even though one of those two days the whole water park was closed. While I was there the Iron Dragon was shutdown on Saturday for maintenance, Top Thrill was shutdown several times on Friday. Shoot the rapids was closed on Friday all day and opened in the afternoon on Saturday, Thunder Canyon was closed on Friday until the afternoon and telling people that it would open soon. It finally opened 2 and 1/2 hours later. Shoot the rapids was closed the entire weekend when it was supposed to be open.
The waterpark you will burn your feet in they do not allow flip flops on the slides and the stairs are covered with some sort of black plastic stuff that sticks to your feet and gets extremely hot.
This place was very disappointing, if your a teenagers with a medium build you’ll enjoy the place if your a larger built person (not fat just big boned) your going to be really disappointed. The people at the park offered to do nothing for my terrible time except fill out a comment card.. how insulting is that ??? Also when a girl came into the park operations office when I was filling out there comment card they immediately assumed she wanted a locker refund and started to tell her they could not refund her money, she said she didnt want the money lost refunded she just wanted to turn a dollar into a token since the token machine was also broken even though the locker was broken and took her dollar. The locker also ripped me off as well I inserted the tokens and it would not lock. They offered nothing on this either. If you have a problem they don’t want to help or know anything and vehelmently deny any refund, credit or anything else they just throw their hands up and say sorry but you can fill out this comment card.
sorry correction… shoot the rapids was closed the entire weekend snake river falls was closed on friday but opened on saturday afternoon
The Dragster is 420 ft. IT’S AMAZING!
Cedar point rocks!!!!! My dad and I go there every year. I have not found the guts to ride the Dragster yet but I will. I love the millinium force. GO CEDAR POINT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JOE I AM SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE AT CEDAR POINT MAYBR BETTERANOTHER DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
sorry i meant maybe better another day
Did you look at Six Flags Magic Mountain in California? That is the best theme park I have ever been to! I just went to Cedar Point last week for the first time and their rides were really fun but still think Six Flags has better rides. Wish Magic Mountain would have rides like Meverick and Top Thrill Dragster though! Those were my two favorites at that park. Magic Mountain has Xtreme though and that is the best ride I have ever been on in my life! So crazy and fun! For anyone who loves coasters you have to go to this park sometime in your life!
Denny, not sure where you are from but, thanks so much for posting your ideal vacation in Ohio! You just covered in one post what all of us from Northeast Ohio have been trying to say our entire lives! There truly is so much to do and see in Ohio. Cedar Point is a great park; I’m in my 50’s and have seen that park grow to what it is now and I enjoy it today just as much as I did 30 years ago! If you like fast, high and thrilling roller coasters, you have to check out Cedar Point!!
Thanks everyone for your lovely comments and lively debates. We appreciate your support of amusement parks, travel and, of course, our list
Well I’ve grew up in Ohio all my life.And Cedar Point is the best.I make sure that my family has passes every summer to go.The best ride though is The Maverick.Yes lines are long but remember it’s Number 1 and everyone wants to ride these rides.As for them shutting down rides.It’s sad for out of town people but sometimes they have to do maintence to a ride.It’s better to be safe than sorry.If you plan on coming to Cedar Point I say come atleast 2 days cause you can’t do or see it all in just 1 day.Can’t wait till the next thrill ride comes out thats suppose to be better than the rest.I recommend coming in late september to October.Halloweekend is just the best.And yes the ride line are shorter.Plus not too many know but they do have parent swap.Its one parent stands in line then after they ride the other parent can just go ride it without waiting in line.Great for parents with young children who still want to ride the coasters too.
I think one of the best parks in the country is Kennywood Park near Pittsburgh, PA. It’s got the famous Thunderbolt roller coaster which is a blast to ride at night. This is an old-fashioned park. In fact it was started as a “trolley park” for Pittsburgher’s to get out of the Smoky City and enjoy a day strolling the tree-lined park and having fun on the various rides. It’s a wonderful family park. If you’re visiting Pittsburgh, make sure to stop by and visit. http://www.usatourist.com/english/destinations/pennsylvania/pittsburgh/pittsburgh-main.html