Everyone loves a good amusement park, regardless of where in the world you’re from. Whether you’re an American searching for your next weekend adventure or a tourist looking to make the most of your time in the States, amusement parks offer a certain magic and thrill that make for lasting memories. We don’t want you to miss out on any of the action, which is why we have carefully crafted this list of the best amusement parks in the U.S.
Six Flags Magic Mountain, Valencia, CA
This is an easy pick for one of the best theme parks in America, as Six Flags Magic Mountain has been dubbed the “Thrill Capital of the World.” Featuring over 100 rides, games, and attractions, this awesome theme park earned its title thanks to its 20 exhilarating roller coasters—more than any other theme park in the world. Visitors will find plenty of heart-pumping rides, including the brand-new Wonder Woman Flight of Courage, the world’s fastest single-rail coaster, which rockets riders at speeds of up to 58 mph (93 kph).
Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, FL
Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando is a popular park for many families and Disney fans, and for good reason. Disney World comprises four theme parks: Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, offering a total of over 150 rides and attractions. While the park boasts fun-themed rides like the Moana-themed Journey of Water experience, rides aren’t all that makes Disney so enticing. Visitors can also enjoy parades with characters from their favorite movies, snap pictures with princesses and princes, or undergo a royal transformation at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.
Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, VA
Often ranked as one of the most beautiful parks in the world, Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia, is well worth the hype. The park, formerly known as Busch Gardens Europe, transports visitors to several countries through 17th-century-themed areas like Scotland, France, Ireland, England, Germany, and Italy. The detail that goes into the themes and landscaping is extraordinary. Plus, the park is home to over 50 attractions and rides, including an impressive list of high-thrill rides such as the Pantheon and the brand-new Loch Ness Monster, the world’s first interlocking-loop roller coaster.
Silver Dollar City, Branson, MO
Saddle up your group and head to Silver Dollar City in the Ozarks to experience one of the most unique and best theme parks in the U.S. Centered around the American frontier in the 1880s, this old-timey Western park not only has a great interactive theme with Western characters, homestead experiences, and saloons, but it also boasts a water park and epic thrill rides for adrenaline junkies, like the Fire Wagon Frenzy and the Giant Barn Swing. Visitors can also book a guided tour of Missouri’s largest cave, Marvel Cave, as the park is built directly on top of it.
Cedar Point, Sandusky, OH
Cedar Point was awarded Best Amusement Park in the World for 15 years in a row by the Golden Ticket Awards before being beaten out by Europa-Park. However, for many, Cedar Point is still No. 1! With award-winning coasters like Steel Vengeance, Maverick, and Millennium Force, adrenaline junkies are sure to find their fix. Families will find plenty of gentle rides, live shows, and beach activities in the water park. Opened in 1870, Cedar Point has grown a lot over the years and now offers over 65 rides, including 18 roller coasters, spread across 364 acres. It’s America’s second-oldest theme park and well worth a visit for any amusement park aficionado.
Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, TN
Dollywood is a must-see U.S. theme park for any country music fan, as it’s centered around the one and only Dolly Parton. Located in the popular mountain resort town of Pigeon Forge, Dollywood offers over 50 Dolly-themed rides for fans, along with toe-tapping live music and a water park. Visitors can learn more about Dolly through the park’s Dolly Parton Experience, an immersive attraction spread across several buildings that follows Dolly’s journey from her home in Locust Ridge to the top of Nashville’s legends list. Even though dogs aren’t allowed in the park, there is Doggywood, an on-site doggy daycare offering 12 kennel runs.
Universal Orlando Resort, Orlando, FL
Universal Orlando Resort may not be the first Universal park, but it holds the title for having the most rides of any Universal location. Universal Orlando Resort is home to 34 movie-themed rides spread across two parks, with themed areas like the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Marvel Super Hero Island, Seuss Landing, and Illumination’s Minion Land. Visitors will find familiar fun rides like Jurassic Park River Adventure and Revenge of the Mummy, along with unique attractions such as Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon and The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man. Universal Orlando Resort also boasts a superior Harry Potter world compared to Universal Studios Hollywood, offering visitors a chance to stroll Diagon Alley.
Kings Island, Mason, OH
Kings Island is often compared to Cedar Point, as the two parks are located roughly three hours apart. While Cedar Point ranks higher for its thrill rides, Kings Island offers a more comprehensive family experience, especially with its Camp Snoopy area and waterpark. However, don’t count out Kings Island when it comes to adrenaline, as the park is home to 12 heart-pumping rides like the Backlot Stunt Coaster, Delirium, and Orion, one of only seven giga coasters in the world! Kings Island also hosts Halloween Haunt, where the park transforms into scare zones and mazes with terrifying characters lurking about.
Universal Studios Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA
While Universal Studios Hollywood may not have as many rides as its Florida counterpart, it is the original Universal park and offers its own unique rides, experiences, and themed lands that merit a spot on this list of the best amusement parks in the U.S. Universal Studios Hollywood features 10 themed areas, such as Super Nintendo World, Springfield, WaterWorld, and Transformers Metabase, all offering exhilarating, immersive experiences on rides like Bowser’s Challenge and Transformers: The Ride-3D. Visitors can meet their favorite characters, enjoy shows like the Triwizard Spirit Rally, or take a behind-the-scenes tour of one of Hollywood’s busiest movie studios.
Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, Glenwood Springs, CO
Ready to plummet deep into the Rocky Mountains on the world’s only underground drop ride? If you answered yes, then we assume you have the adventurous spirit needed for this jaw-dropping mountaintop theme park. Visitors can take the gondola to the top of Iron Mountain, where they’ll find a great selection of thrilling rides that fly over cliff edges or are set up in caverns. Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park offers more than just rides, though, as it also includes a zip line, cave tours, and several kiddie rides. To top it all off, you can combine your ticket with a visit to the Iron Mountain Hot Springs!
Hersheypark, Hershey, PA
Hersheypark is a whimsical candy-themed park based on Hershey’s most popular treats, offering plenty of temptations for those with a sweet tooth and a hankering for adrenaline. Visitors will find over 75 rides, some for thrill-seekers like the Hershey Drop Towers and the Jolly Rancher Remix coaster, and others that offer a more gentle ride for the little ones, like the Sweet Swing. Once all the rides have been conquered, visitors can indulge in Hershey’s famed treats at Hershey’s Chocolate World, visit the bears at ZooAmerica, cool off in the water park, or snap some pics with Hershey characters!
LEGOLAND New York, Goshen, NY
There are three Legoland theme parks in the U.S., and Legoland New York Resort is often regarded as the best for its quality entertainment and sheer size! Covering more than 500 acres, this massive amusement park features over 50 rides and attractions, a 250-room Lego-themed hotel, and a Legoland Discovery Center. The Discovery Center is a fantastic addition to the park as it offers a massive indoor playground with different sections for kids and families who want a break from the sun or rain. Legoland New York Resort is perfect for families with kids ages 2 to 12, offering hours of entertaining shows, fun rides, games, and builder areas.
Disneyland, Anaheim, CA
Disneyland in Anaheim is not only the first Disney park ever created, but it’s also home to more rides than any other Disney resort in the world! Featuring a whopping 49 rides, visitors will find fan favorites like It’s a Small World, Space Mountain, and the Haunted Mansion, which are sure to bring back nostalgic memories and create new ones. Disneyland is always adding something new for its fans, with rides like Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind, Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout, and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, representing the younger generation’s favorite movies. Of course, visitors will also get a chance to meet their favorite Disney characters.
Knoebels, Elysburg, PA
Knoebels is the perfect park for families of all ages, and its ticketing works more like a fair than a theme park. Located in Elysburg, this free-admission park runs on a pay-as-you-go system for each ride and attraction, which is great for those who want to join in the fun without riding. All the entertainment, parking, and picnic areas are free, making it the U.S.’s biggest free park! Boasting over 60 rides and attractions, including six roller coasters, visitors will find a variety of thrill-level rides. Knoebels also features mini-golf, a water park, an arcade, and a campground.
Knott’s Berry Farm, Buena Park, CA
What was once a quaint family berry farm has transformed into a world-class theme park offering over 60 rides and attractions. Knott’s Berry Farm, located in Buena Park, is spread across 56 acres and features four themed lands with rides for the whole family. Visitors can explore themed areas, meet the PEANUTS gang in Camp Snoopy, hunt down bandits in the 1800s Ghost Town, cool off at Knott’s Soak City water park, or head to the Boardwalk to find adrenaline-pumping thrill rides like Xcelerator, which rockets riders from 0-82 mph in 2.3 seconds.
Well, park enthusiasts, what’ll it be? Will you hit up all the exhilarating coasters at Six Flags Magic Mountain? Dive into the world of Dolly Parton? Or maybe your sweet tooth is calling you to Hersheypark. The good news is that no matter which of these fun-tastic theme parks you visit next, we know you’ll have a blast!
