Top Amusement Parks – Six Flags Great America in Chicago, IL

The #9 finisher in our blockbuster feature The 10 Best Amusement Parks in America, Six Flags Great America is no small contender on the world stage of top-notch theme park entertainment. With schools letting out all over the country, it’s time to start thinking about those summer family vacations. Head over to our Summer Family Vacation Guide for our latest stories featuring fun suggestions for where to go with the kids this year.

But back to business…

Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois, just north of Chicago, has the thrills to satisfy even the most diehard amusement park fan, plus a full complement of kindlier exploits for everyone else. We love it for the same reason we always tend to love Six Flags parks: variety. Coasters, flat rides, numerous kiddie rides, shows, an adjacent admission-included water park, creative “zones” and fine concessions – it’s surprising for anyone in your group to be left wanting.

While I’m not the coaster enthusiast myself, there are plenty who can’t stop going on about them. The new Dark Knight, an indoor coaster opened just last year, has turned plenty of heads with its partial-dark track and moderate thrill level that’s appropriate for younger folk (42″ minimum, of course). Meanwhile, on the more insane end of the dial you’ve got the Raging Bull, the United States’ first “hyper-twister”, meaning not only is it fast and aggressive, but it also twists and turns about on itself so that you always feel like you’re about to have your head chopped off!

(I was also asked to mention the swooshing, circular Whizzer coaster, but I think they just wanted me to type “Whizzer”).

If you’re traveling with family, Six Flags Great America is known for its extensive kid-friendly attractions, including several rides and even multiple themed sections. It’s great if traveling with little ones.

As summer sets on, this place gets busy, so we recommend purchasing a Flash Pass, allowing you to wait in line for some rides without the hassle of actually waiting in line. You find systems like this at most parks these days.

Six Flags Great America is now open daily. General admission is $34.99 when purchasing online, but you’d be nuts to pay it. Stay at our recommended hotel, and they’ll cover the tickets for you.

This time, something different. The Hotel Indigo Chicago / Vernon Hills Hotel is located just a few miles from the park and a fresh, “boutique” experience that you just don’t get at other brand hotels. It’s an exciting, fairly young brand, and we like it a lot. What’s more, they’re offering Six Flags Great America hotel packages. Now this is starting to turn into a real vacation J.

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