When it comes to thrills and excitement, an amusement park can’t be beaten. Whether its high speed drops, gravity defying spins, or something a little more sedate, the modern amusement park caters to any kind of traveller. And with so many to choose from, we’ve done the hard work for you. Dust off your annual pass and sit back, here are the best amusement parks in America.
Magic Kingdom Park, Florida
Let’s start off with a big one: Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park ranks as the highest visited amusement park in America, and has stood the test of time for over 50 years. The Most Magical Place on Earth lives up to its name, and has sights, thrills, and experiences to delight any traveller. It’s one of the best amusement parks in America for families, solo travelers, couples, and, especially, Disney fans.
Divided into six lands centered around the iconic Cinderella’s Castle, Magic Kingdom Park features some of the most famous Disney World rides. These include Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. And that’s just the rides, that’s not even mentioning the endless character experiences with recognizable Disney characters, as well as plenty of shows, expos, and fireworks displays.
Magic Kingdom Park is best completed in at least two full days. So book your Fast Passes, and get ready for a magical adventure.
Kings Island, Ohio
Since it opened in 1972, Kings Island, Ohio, has offered visitors world class excitement and adventure. With multiple claims to fame, including being one of the biggest amusement parks in the mid-west, Kings Island has something for everyone, young and old.
Any fans of wooden roller coasters need to visit Kings Island, because the park is home to The Beast, the world’s longest wooden thrill ride. This Guiness World Record holder takes a full four minutes to complete, and should be high on any ride aficionado’s list. To beat the heat, dive down one of nearly 40 water slides in the Soak City Water Park. Travelling with kids? Planet Snoopy Play Area has you covered. And for everyone else, there are plenty more rides, attractions, and stalls to visit.
Knott’s Berry Farm, California
From its humble origins as a working farm, Knott’s Berry Farm is a unique destination and perfect for all kinds of riders. It retains its agricultural and frontier heritage with tours, Wild West stunt shows, an authentically styled ghost town, and reenactment performers. But if it’s rides and roller coasters you want, you’ll find plenty here.
Visitors to Knott’s Berry Farm will have their pick from hundreds of rides, including water slides and kid-friendly attractions. If you’re looking to scratch a high-profile ride off your list, be sure to check out HangTime, which features a 96 degree drop, the steepest on a California ride! Hungry visitors will have plenty of dining options, including vegan and gluten free options. Be sure to check the calendar because you might be able to catch a seasonal festival or event.
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Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Florida
As if choosing an amusement park in Florida wasn’t hard enough, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is up there with the other heavy hitters. This sprawling, African themed amusement park has been in operation since 1959, and it still delights riders and visitors to this day.
Plan for at least two days in Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, any less and you might not be able to hit all the amazing rides and see all the sights. Thrill seekers need to ride the Iron Gwazi, one of the newest and greatest rides. The Iron Gwazi is a hybrid wooden and steel ride, offering riders speeds of 76 miles per hour, multiple loops, and an insane 91 degree drop. But it doesn’t end there, there are plenty of rides and roller coasters for all thrill levels, and a zoo with thousands of animals. Whether it’s high speeds and loops, or a close encounter with lions, tigers, or elephants, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has something for everyone, and is one of the best amusement parks in America.
Six Flags Magic Mountain, California
Easily accessible from downtown LA, Six Flags Magic Mountain is one of the premier amusement parks for roller coaster lovers, and DC Universe fans. In fact, Six Flags Magic Mountain is the world leader in roller coaster numbers for an amusement park, boasting 20 in total.
Their 20th may be their greatest, and debuts in Summer 2022. Wonder Woman: Flight of Courage is an invigorating thrill ride, and also the world’s highest and longest single track roller coaster. If that’s too much adrenaline for you, then there are plenty of rides, DC Universe meet and greets, live entertainment, and a selection of dining options.
Cedar Point, Ohio
For more than 150 years, Cedar Point, Ohio, has offered travellers experiences and visits of a lifetime. The second oldest amusement park in America is also one of the country’s best, and Cedar Point has plenty of attractions, rides, and events to make for an incredible summer.
Cedar Point offers 17 roller coasters, and rides of all thrill levels. Visitors can take part in reenactment shows, live music, Peanuts character parades and meet ups, and enough dining options to satisfy any appetite. Cedar Point also offers a sprawling water park, with pools, splash zones and slides. Not for the faint of heart is Point Plummet, a capsule slide that starts with a near-vertical drop into a covered tube. And to complete the seaside holiday atmosphere, Cedar Point offers camping nearby, so you can take in as much of the park as possible.
Hersheypark, Pennsylvania
A trip to Hersheypark, PN, is as sweet of an experience as its name suggests. Catering to unique market of chocolate lovers and amusement park enthusiasts, Hersheypark has over a dozen roller coasters, rides for all ages, and experiences unlike any other park.
While rides and water parks are great, a visit to Hersheypark needs to include a stop at Hershey’s Chocolate World next door. This experience takes you into the world of chocolate, starting with a free tour of how chocolate is made. After that, attend some chocolatier workshops, build your own one pound Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, decorate a giant Hershey’s Kiss, or design your own candy bar. This perfect pairing of thrilling rides and delicious chocolate make Hersheypark one of the best amusement parks in America.
Universal Studios Hollywood, California
Sometimes an amusement park is a thrill, offering excitement and adventure. At Universal Studios Hollywood, it’s that and more, offering attendees the chance to get as close as they can to fictional worlds that have captivated millions. Universal Studios Hollywood offers rides, experiences, and tours into the studio lots where incredible movies are made.
While not offering the same high speeds and steep drops as other amusement parks, Universal Studios Hollywood still has plenty to offer. Its world-famous Studio Tour takes visitors on a tour through movie making, virtually guided by comedian Jimmy Fallon. Another Universal Studios Hollywood must-see is the Waterworld Stunt Show, a live performance that is more popular and enduring than the movie it’s based on! And fans of witches and wizards will be at home exploring The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, complete with several rides and 4D experiences, and shops and dining that will transport you right into Hogwarts, Diagon Ally, and Hogsmeade. Whether you’re a fan of the individual properties, or just movies in general, Universal Studios Hollywood is one of the best amusement parks in America.
Disney California Adventure Park, California
Although smaller than the venerable Disneyland Park that started the Disney amusement parks empire, Disney California Adventure Park is a unique destination and should absolutely be visited. Featuring different themed areas, and revelling in a classic Californian aesthetic, Disney California Adventure is as pretty as it is thrilling.
One of the highlights is undoubtedly Radiator Springs Racers, an easy-going ride based on the Cars franchise, and built to authentically represent the film’s locales. Besides Cars, Disney California Adventure Park embraces other Pixar franchises, featuring rides, attractions, and meet ups based on The Incredibles, Inside Out, and more. Another must-see is the recently added Avengers Campus, which allows visitors to explore true-to-the-screen attraction based on popular Marvel movies. Being smaller than Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park is easily visited in a shorter amount of time.
Silver Dollar City, Missouri
Nestled in Missouri’s Ozark mountains, Branson, Missouri is an underrated tourist destination. And one of it’s best attractions, as well as one of the best amusement parks in America, is Silver Dollar City. Combining old-timey pioneer charm with world-class rides and attractions, Silver Dollar City is not to be missed.
There is so much to see, do, and ride at Silver Dollar City, you’ll probably need to stay overnight. Included in the ticket price is a tour of Marvel Cave, a fascinating natural limestone cave. There are plenty of rides, including nostalgic wooden themed roller coasters and splash rides, as well as unique steel coasters. Cool off at the 13 acre water park, and take dinner on a cruise of the nearby lake. And in between rides, check out the practising artisans recreating centuries-old crafts, like blacksmithing and glass blowing.
Silver Dollar City has so much on offer, and visitors are sure to be thrilled, enriched, and amazed by a visit here.
If you had to pick the best amusement parks in America, what would you choose? And if your vacation plans include a day ticket or an annual pass, where are you going? Let us know in the comments below. And before you go, be sure to like the video, subscribe to ViewCation, and hit the bell icon for more videos.