As the weather gets hotter and more families venture outdoors for summer activities, a visit to a local theme park is considered an ideal place to have fun and make memories.
In an industry dominated by high-budget parks in destination cities with thrilling rides and immersive themes from big-name brands like Disney, not all theme parks live up to expectations.
And according to USA Today, that’s not necessary.
While the Midwest was surprisingly underrepresented in this year’s top 10, the region took both the 10th and top spots to round out our ranking of the best places to get thrills in unique settings this summer. Ta.
Leading the list at number 10 is historic Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, perhaps the most famous amusement park in the country for roller coaster enthusiasts.
Opened in 1870 and currently serving as the second oldest operating amusement park in the country, Cedar Point boasts 16 roller coasters on a peninsula in Lake Erie, affectionately known as “America’s Roller Coast.”
There are other big-budget parks in the Midwest, like Six Flags Great America and Kings Island, but one of the region’s hidden gems has been named the best theme park in the country.
Located in the tourist town of Branson, Missouri, Silver Dollar City is an 1880s mining themed theme park that takes full advantage of the picturesque woodland setting.
In addition to immersive themes such as Looney Toons and Peanuts, Silver Dollar City features seven roller coasters, including the world’s fastest, tallest, and the world’s fastest, tallest roller coaster that sends riders directly on a 90-degree rotation drop, including Time Traveler. This is the steepest rotating coaster. Out of the station.
Rounding out the top three on the list were Knubel’s in Elysburg, Pennsylvania and SeaWorld Orlando, respectively.
An independent theme park known for its free admission, picnic spaces, and family-friendly thrills, vintage wooden roller coaster Phoenix is a favorite among locals and roller coaster enthusiasts alike.
The chain’s flagship park, SeaWorld Orlando, is known for its seven marine-themed roller coasters, four of which feature crowd favorites “Raging Bull,” “Batman the Ride,” and “X These four machines are manufactured by Bolliger & Mavillard, a well-regarded manufacturer known locally for producing “ Flights at Six Flags Great America, etc.
Here’s how USA Today’s top 10 ranked.
- 10. Cedar Point: Sandusky, Ohio
- 9. Busch Gardens Tampa: Tampa, Florida
- 8. Kennywood: West Mifflin, Pennsylvania
- 7. Busch Gardens Williamsburg: Williamsburg, Virginia
- 6. Legoland California: Carlsbad, California
- 5. Dollywood: Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
- 4. Hershey Park: Hershey, Pennsylvania
- 3. SeaWorld Orlando: Orlando, Florida
- 2. Knobel’s: Elysburg, Pennsylvania
- 1. Silver Dollar City: Branson, Missouri
A complete list can be found here.
