Are you visiting America with friends or family? How can one miss the adventures and thrills of its various amusement parks? There’s something for everyone. People of all ages will find their attractions. Whether you love superheroes, nature, animals, or adventure, amusement parks are the place to visit.
Jurassic Park River Adventure and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal’s Islands of Adventure; Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge in Disney’s Hollywood Studios; Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland; and the world-famous studio tour of Universal Studios Hollywood are among the most memorable attractions. There are theme parks all over America, but which ones should you visit? This article gives you an idea of what you can find in the following 25 best amusement parks in the US.
1. Walt Disney Magic Kingdom
The Magic Kingdom theme park at Walt Disney World is in Orlando, Florida. It has traditional appeals, musical parades, captivating fireworks, and Disney Characters. The Cinderella Castle magically transforms with lights, special effects, lasers, and popular modern Disney songs.
It is not just kids; even adults get to hug their beloved Mickey Mouse. Other Disney characters available are Peter Pan, Cinderella, Winnie the Pooh, and Pluto. Go shopping and dining with your friends and family. This theme park is one of the most visited parks in the world, having attractions like the Haunted Mansion, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, and the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
2. Cedar Point
Cedar Point is well known for its roller coasters, but it is more than that. Located in Ohio, Cedar Point is a must-visit destination for all tourists in America. It has more than 68 amazing rides that you can enjoy either with your family friend or solo. Millennium Force, Steel Vengeance, and Wild Mouse are a few to name. In addition to rides, you can take pleasure in staying at their hotels, marinas, and lakefront campground.
Cedar Point also features four children’s areas with rides exclusively for the kids and live entertainment promoting Snoopy and the Peanut Gang. This year, the ‘Top Thrill 2’ of Cedar Point will be the world’s first Strata coaster, covering 420 feet at a speed of 120 MPH in just 2 minutes.
3. Dollywood
When planning a family trip, Dollywood is among the first parks that comes to mind. Dine, shop with loved ones, and enjoy the shows, crafts, and rides. Located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, the park covers an area of 160 acres in the Great Smoky Mountains.
Dollywood, the brainchild of American Legend Dolly Parton, offers family-friendly splash zones, sparkling pools, and towering slides—the perfect summer activities. Dollywood can accommodate individuals, couples, families, or groups of all sizes. It has DreamMore Resort, Spa, Bear Cove Cabins, and Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge and Resort. There’s no doubt you will love this family theme park.
4. Universal Studios Florida
Whether you are a fan of Minions, Harry Potter, Fast and Furious, The Simpsons, or Transformers, you get to live in their world in this theme park. Cast spells with Harry Potter’s magic wand on your enemies, fight aliens with Men in Black, and race with the crew of Fast and Furious. Louie’s Italian Restaurant, Leaky Cauldron, San Francisco Pastry Company, Lombard’s Seafood Grille, and many more restaurants are available. Family-friendly accommodations like Hard Rock Hotel and Loews Portofino Bay Hotel are present at the doorstep of Universal Studios Florida. What else can someone want: food, shopping, your favourite fictional characters and places, and rides?
5. Universal Studios Hollywood
Whether you are looking for movie fun, family fun, fun for Grown-Ups, or seeking a thrill, Universal Studios Hollywood is the amusement park to visit. Referred to as ‘The Entertainment Capital of LA, this is a movie-based theme park offering world-class entertainment shopping and dining complex.
During the studio tour, you will watch the Bates Motel from Psycho film. Witness the showdown between Dinosaurs at Jurassic World – The Ride. Visit different lands of dinosaurs on a boat with your friends or family and later enjoy at the Jurassic Café.
6. Six Flags Great Adventure
Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey has world-famous rides, including Air Jumbo, Air Safari, BATMAN The Ride, Big Wheel, Congo Rapids, Dare Devil Dive, and others. This year, the Six Flags Great Adventure will turn 50 years old. Also this year, The Flash: Vertical Velocity, a super Boomerang coaster featuring The Flash character, will debut. Savannah Sunset Resort & Spa is also a new attraction added to the amusement park.
The theme park offers a great range of dining options. Some of them are Seaport Eats, Metro Grill, Mama Flora’s Grill, Chop Six Express, and Ale House.
7. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Animals, roller coaster thrill rides, food, and wine—everything is present here to make your visit to America worthwhile. The 335-acre Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is an animal theme park situated in Florida. This amusement park allows you to interact with more than 12,000 live animals in a way that no other place offers.
Tour in open-air vehicles on the Serengeti Plains with your family and friends. This year, the amusement park will introduce its newest family-friendly roller coaster: Phoenix Rising. Inside the amusement park, food outside except bottled water is allowed; however, they offer various dining options.
8. Six Flags Magic Mountain
Referred to as The Thrill Capital of the World, the Six Flags Magic Mountain in Los Angeles is a must-visit park for all tourists visiting America. The vast range of rides includes family, kids, and thrill rides. Some examples include Apocalypse, Buccaneer, Canyon Blaster, CraZanity, Gold Rusher, Grand American Carousel, Magic Flyer, Ninja, and Road Runner Express.
Get lifetime experience at Justice League Meet and Greets at DC Universe and Looney Tunes Meet and Greets at Six Flags Plaza. Chicken Coupe, Frozen Delights, Funnel Cake Factory, Full Throttle Sports Bar, and High-Octane Wings are among the dining options available. Take your family and shop at the DC Universe Store, Glass Crafts, or the Hall of Justice.
9. Universal’s Islands of Adventure
Want to meet superheroes? Visit Universal Orlando Resort. Universal’s Islands of Adventure is full of beloved heroes waiting to pose with you. You can climb inside your Doctor Seuss flying fish in this theme park in Orlando, Florida. You can also ride in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train, The Incredible Hulk coaster, the Hogwarts Express, and more.
From snacks to gourmet cuisine, you can find everything you love to eat. Marvel character diner, Mythos Restaurant, Backwater Bar, Blondie’s, Three Broomsticks, Captain America Diner, Cathy’s Ice Cream, and several other dining options are present in Universal’s Islands of Adventure.
10. EPCOT
EPCOT (Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow) is a Walt Disney World Resort amusement park in Florida. This is one of the most famous amusement parks for family fun and kid-friendly rides. The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, and the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts are celebrated annual festivals. The EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival is being celebrated from February 28 to May 27, 2024.
It features world-class water parks, Disney Springs, Disney boardwalk, and ESPN’s wide world of sports. Journey of Water is the latest theme park addition inspired by the Disney animated film Moana.
11. Disneyland Park
Disneyland Park is situated in Anaheim, California. Some of its major attractions include Alice in Wonderland, Autopia, Disneyland Monorail, Donald’s Duck Pond, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, Halloween Screams, Haunted Mansion Holiday, and Indiana Jones Adventure. It also features the famous Sleeping Beauty Castle.
To enjoy this theme park at a slower pace, at least two days are preferred. The Disneyland Resort offers several dining options, including Alien Pizza Planet, Bengal Barbeque, Blue Bayou Restaurant, Cafe Daisy, Cafe Orleans, Edelweiss Snacks, Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor, Hungry Bear Restaurant, and several others.
12. Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Situated in Orlando, Florida, Disney’s Hollywood Studios main attraction is the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Experience the Star Wars adventure by dining, shopping, and building your lightsaber. Kids can dance and have fun parties with their favourite Disney Junior friends.
The MagicBand+ allows you to experience more magic at the theme park. With these, you can track down virtual bounties throughout Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, which glows at night, and find the Disney character collection sculptures throughout the Walt Disney World Resort. They are also used to access Disney parks, unlock Disney Resort rooms, and make purchases.
13. Disney California Adventure Park
Situated in Anaheim, California, the Disney California Adventure Park has many attractive things to offer. They include the Ancient Sanctum, Animation Academy, Avengers Headquarters, Disney Junior Dance Party, Guardians of The Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT, The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure, a Musical Celebration of Coco, and many more.
The amusement park offers multiple dining options for your friends and family. Angry Dogs, Smokejumpers Grill, Adorable Snowman Frosted Treats, Bayside Brews, Cozy Cine Motel, and other dining options are available there. Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Disneyland Hotel, and Pixar Place Hotel can be booked for an overnight stay.
14. Bay Beach Amusement Park
Offering more than 20 thrilling rides at cheaper prices, Bay Beach Amusement Park is one of the most liked amusement parks in the United States. Situated in Green Bay, Wisconsin, near the Fox River, this amusement park was opened in 1892 and is owned and run by Green Bay.
Every Fox Valley kid must visit the amusement park before growing up, but this is a good choice for any other tourist as well. Periodically, the amusement park team takes pictures of its customers, events, and rides. The photos are later published in city brochures and local newspapers.
15. Seabreeze Amusement Park
Seabreeze Amusement Park has thrilling rides, a water park, family rides, and kiddie rides—you name it. Located in New York, the amusement park features the spectacular acrobatic show Cirque En Vol, a popular show that happens seven days a week at the centre stage.
It is a fun place for kids, especially since they can play several games, such as Seabreeze Derby, Water Race, Poster game, Whiffle Wing, Hot Shots, and the Classic Cat Rack. They can also get brush tattoos that glow in the dark at night. This summer, enjoy the exciting roller coasters with your loved ones.
16. Funland Rehoboth
Located in Delaware, Funland offers 20 family-friendly and thrilling rides. They include classic rides like the carousel, more modern adventures like Superflip360 or FreeSpin, or for the entire family, boats, a haunted mansion, and bumper cars. The amusement park also has 11 games where you can express your competitive side at Hoop Shot or Derby.
Besides these, they also offer multiple cranes and arcade games for visitors to enjoy. Since its establishment in 1962, a family has owned and managed it, continuing the heritage that began half a century ago.
17. Kentucky Kingdom
Located in Louisville, Kentucky, Kentucky Kingdom is an amusement park and water park. It is a family-themed park offering more than 70 family-friendly attractions, including towering slides, pint-size rides, and sparkling wave pools.
The Kentucky Kingdom has some of the most famous rides. Among others, they include family-friendly rides like Breakdance, Bumper Cars, Big Foot Trucks, Bluebeard’s Bounty, and Kentucky Flyer; kiddie rides like Flutterfly, Jump Around, Mad Hatter, Pounce & Bounce, Musical Carousel; further thrill rides include Cyclos, Eye of the Storm, Himalaya, Lightning Run, Skycatcher Scream Extreme.
Adventure River, Big Surf, Castaway Creek, Deep Water Dive, Family Wave Lagoon, Plummet Summit, Splash Zone, Tornado, or whatever water activities you love are also here.
18. Silver Dollar City
Located in the heart of the Ozark Mountains in Missouri, Silver Dollar City is an 1880s-style theme park. It has over 40 exciting rides and attractions, around 20 award-winning restaurants, and 60 remarkable shops for its visitors. Visitors can enjoy scenic Table Rock Lake from the Showboat Branson Belle.
The theme park offers campsites, RV sites, trailer rentals, and log cabins for guests. USA Today’s 10Best Readers voted it one of America’s best outdoor water parks. Depending on the time of year, multiple events are held. They include Spring Break, Street Fest during the spring season, Season Pass Appreciation, and Summer Celebration in the summer, Southern Gospel Picnic, and Country Music Days in the fall and Christmas.
19. Kings Island
Located in Ohio, Kings Island is a 364-acre amusement and water park. Since its opening in 1972, it has been a leading entertainment destination for millions of thrill seekers. It is one of the best theme parks for roller coasters, with rides like Adventure Express, Backlot Stunt Coaster, Banshee, and Diamondback.
The amusement park offers over 50 water activities, including 36 water slides. Rides like Mondo Monsoon, Breakers Bay, Paradise Plunge, Thunder Falls, and Tropical Plunge are something for everyone. Kings Island can accommodate a group of any size and provide enough dining options.
20. Six Flags America
Referred to as DC’s Thrill Capital, Six Flags America is in Washington, DC. This year, it will celebrate its 25th anniversary and witness the debut of Steam Town, where history meets the future.
The amusement park is famous for its water park rides, including Bahama Blast, Halfpipe, Hurricane Bay, Shark Attack Mako, Tornado, and Wahoo River. Take home the perfect souvenir from its numerous shops, such as Coaster Candy, Daily Planet Gifts, Gotham City Gifts, and others. In addition, you can enjoy yourself with your friends and family at the various restaurants and rides.
21. Six Flags Over Texas
Situated in Arlington, Texas, Six Flags Over Texas is the first Six Flags amusement park, opened in 1961. No matter what time it is, it’s always event time at Six Flags Over Texas. With events like Scream Break, Spring Break, Viva La Fiesta, Solar Coaster, and others, there is never a dull moment at the amusement park.
Texas Tacos, Smith Street Ice Cream Parlor, Red River Funnel Cakes, Macho Nacho, Flags Funnel Cakes, and Dusty Dans are among the multiple dining options at the park. Together with other rides, the amusement park features 14 world-class roller coasters.
22. Fun Spot America Orlando
Fun Spot America in Orlando, Florida, is a theme park you can visit with friends or family. It has something for everyone, whether you are looking for family, thrill rides, or arcade games. For kids, they have a Carousel, Funhouse, Frog Hopper, Happy Swing, and Fun Slide. For others, there are Firecracker, White Lightning, Quad Helix, and Ferris Wheel, among other rides.
The amusement park has a 10,000-square-foot arcade with various games to choose from. It offers a decent variety of food options. However, you can also leave the park and eat elsewhere; you just have to keep your armband on your wrist for re-entry. Pet dogs are also allowed inside the property.
23. SeaWorld Orlando
For 16 years in a row, SeaWorld Orlando has been the Best Marine Life Park featured in Amusement Today. Last year, it was also the Best Theme Park in Florida in Reader’s Choice Awards 2023. It offers a wide range of rides, including roller coasters, family thrills, high thrills, water rides, medium thrills, kid-friendly rides, and low thrills.
The amusement park is well known for its animal experiences. At the Pacific Point Preserve, you can hear the roaring sound of sea lions; in the Wild Arctic, you can get close to Walruses and Beluga Whales; through one of the world’s most extensive underwater viewing tunnels, you can get a close look at sharks and many other such fun activities are there.
24. SeaWorld San Diego
In SeaWorld San Diego, there’s always a festival! Some of its popular events are the Seven Seas Food Festival, Viva La Música, Summer Spectacular, and Halloween Spooktacular. Due to its latest edition, visitors can now step onto the ice with six species of penguins.
Now, you can also enter the world of jellyfish with ‘Jewels of the Sea: The Jellyfish Experience,’ a new immersive aquarium coming in 2024. Besides these, you and your loved ones can explore and enjoy a wide range of rides and dining options. This amusement park offers free Wi-Fi to its guests.
25. Hersheypark
Located in Hershey, Pennsylvania, Hersheypark is a family-themed amusement park. Its wide range of rides includes family rides, kiddie rides, water rides, and roller coasters. Ferris wheel, Hershey Triple Tower, Mini Scrambler, Sandcastle Cove, and East Coast Waterworks are a few.
With over ten shops, the theme park gives you diverse options to buy souvenirs. Your family can also stay at the Hershey Lodge, The Hotel Hershey, and Hersheypark Camping Resort. Hershey’s Chocolate World’s free tour is every child’s dream. They can also create their candy bar here. The theme park also offers multiple dining options to its guests.
Final Thoughts
Whether Dollywood, SeaWorld Orlando, Silver Dollar City, Funland Rehoboth, or Disney’s Hollywood Studios, all these amusement parks have something special for their visitors. Theme parks are a must-visit when visiting America with family or friends. Select any amusement park, and have a happy summer!
Last Updated on March 20, 2024 by AnoushkaRoy
