Pennsylvania's amusement parks aren't just fun — they're among the best in the country, and summer 2026 is the season to prove it. Whether you're chasing a 232-foot drop on Phantom's Revenge, letting the kids meet Duke the Dragon, or riding America's #1 wooden coaster through the trees at Knoebels, there's a Pennsylvania park adventure with your name on it. Header image credit: Amanda S. Polyak
Knoebels Amusement Resort
Elysburg
Nestled in the wooded Susquehanna River Valley of Central Pennsylvania, Knoebels is unlike any other amusement park in the country. There's no gate fee, no parking charge, and a genuine old-fashioned atmosphere that generations of Pennsylvania families have made their own. This summer is extra special: The park celebrates 100 years since it opened as a simple swimming hole in 1926 with a special anniversary weekend set for July 3–5, 2026.
TripAdvisor named Knoebels the #1 Amusement Park in the U.S. in 2026, while USA TODAY 10Best put it at #2 nationally. One of their most iconic rollercoasters, the Phoenix, even holds the title of USA TODAY's #1 Roller Coaster. From the Grand Carousel to the Haunted Mansion dark ride, Knoebels is a living, breathing museum of American amusement park history.
Hersheypark
Hershey
If Pennsylvania has a flagship theme park, it's Hersheypark. Built on the original leisure grounds created by Milton S. Hershey for his chocolate factory workers, the park has grown into a 121-acre, 70-plus ride destination that's also a USA TODAY 10Best Top 10 amusement park for 2026. This summer, The Boardwalk At Hersheypark water area brings beach-club energy to Central PA, now with two brand-new water play areas in the Bayside Pier featuring 45 new aquatic elements.
With 15 coasters ranging from family-friendly to heart-pounding, there truly is a thrill for every age group. Wildcat's Revenge, the first Rocky Mountain Construction hybrid coaster in Pennsylvania, delivers four inversions and landed a spot on USA TODAY's Top 10 Roller Coasters list, while Candymonium (the park's tallest, fastest, longest hyper coaster) serves up 205 feet of pure adrenaline.
And after all that, you can walk next door to ZooAmerica, an 11-acre wildlife park accessible via a bridge inside Hersheypark and included with your park ticket.
Kennywood
West Mifflin
Perched above the Monongahela River just outside downtown Pittsburgh, Kennywood has been delighting thrill seekers since 1898 — and the 2026 season might be its most celebratory yet. Two beloved rides hit major milestones this year: the Whip turns 100 years old, and Phantom's Revenge celebrates its 25th anniversary. Phantom's Revenge holds the title of Pennsylvania's fastest coaster at 85 MPH. Notable for its jaw-dropping 232-foot second drop, this rare and thrilling feature that sets it apart from nearly every other coaster in the country.
This summer, the park's All-American Summer event (July 4–26, 2026) celebrates America's 250th birthday with a fireworks spectacular and six brand-new drone shows featuring 300 drones lighting up the night sky. Plus, two new food stands make their debut: the Centennial Grill, bringing cheesesteaks back to the park, and the Big Dipper ice cream stand, a tribute to the beloved Dipper coaster of years past.
And this summer, new All-American Drone Shows light up the sky on select evenings — a perfect cap to a classic Pittsburgh day out.
Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom
Allentown
Centrally located in the Lehigh Valley about an hour north of Philadelphia and 90 minutes from New York City, Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom makes a strong case for the most accessible thrill destination on this list. The park recently debuted Iron Menace, the Northeast's first dive roller coaster, featuring a stomach-dropping 95-degree angle and three inversions — and it already has adrenaline junkies making the drive from across the region.
Beyond the new marquee ride, Dorney Park offers 60-plus world-class attractions including eight total roller coasters, one of the region's top-ranked water parks (Wildwater Kingdom), and Planet Snoopy, a dedicated section of family rides perfect for younger visitors. New this year, the SPLASH! Water Parade brings high-energy fun to the midway with vibrant floats, live performers, and interactive water effects — a perfect summer cooldown.
This summer, Viva La Fiesta (select Saturdays and Sundays from June 20 - July 26, 2026) brings a vibrant festival atmosphere with live entertainment, specialty food, and immersive cultural programming.
Dutch Wonderland
Lancaster
If you're traveling with younger children, Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster County is a can't-miss summer activity. Designed with kids in mind, the park features 35-plus rides, attractions, and shows in a beautifully maintained fairytale setting complete with castle turrets and costumed characters. Duke the Dragon and Princess Brooke, the park's beloved mascots, are guaranteed crowd-pleasers for the elementary school set.
Duke's Lagoon provides splash-zone relief on hot summer days, while Dino Dig lets budding paleontologists excavate and uncover fossils in a hands-on outdoor dig experience. Dutch Wonderland is also surrounded by the charm of Lancaster County — think farm-fresh food, scenic countryside drives, and world-class Amish cooking to round out the day. Make it a weekend getaway and spend the night at the all-new Dutch Wonderland Inn, formerly the Cartoon Network Hotel, just parallel to the park.
Idlewild & SoakZone
Ligonier
Set in the rolling hills of the Laurel Highlands near Ligonier, Idlewild & SoakZone has earned recognition as one of the world's best children's parks. The park opened with new attractions this year including Parrot's Perch, a pirate-themed eatery in SoakZone, and a reimagined Tilt-N-Twister with a wild west makeover in the park's Hootin' Holler area.
What sets Idlewild apart is its heart. Story Book Forest invites kids to meet Cinderella at the Enchanted Castle and step inside a Giant Story Book. Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood brings the beloved Fred Rogers universe to life with character meet-and-greets — a particularly poignant touch given that the park opens on 1-4-3 Day, Pennsylvania's official day honoring Fred Rogers. 2026 summer events run back-to-back with Celebrate America (June 26 – July 5, 2026), Neighbor Days (July 10 – Aug. 2, 2026), and Kids Fest (Aug. 8–30, 2026).
There's plenty of summer adventure to go around with the Top Things To Do in Pennsylvania with Kids.