Scream at the top of your lungs, Happy Travelers – Pennsylvania boasts more amusement parks than any other state in the country! From dips and drops to soak zones and slides, each park is the ultimate way to pursue your happiness with the promise of an exciting experience for visitors of all ages. So gear up, thrill seekers, and get ready for wind-blown hair and stomach-churning twists at Pennsylvania’s amusement parks.
Knoebels Amusement Park - Valleys of the Susquehanna
Elysburg
Knoebels Amusement Park enthusiasts applaud this pay-as-you-go park, featuring award-winning rides such as The Haunted Mansion, named one of the best dark rides by members of Dark Ride and Funhouse Enthusiasts for over 10 years; The Phoenix, hailed as one of the "best wooden coasters” by Amusement Today magazine; and Impulse, an unforgettable coaster featuring four upside-down twists and a 90-degree freefall. The largest free-admission amusement park in American is also home to Flying Turns - the world’s only wooden bobsled rollercoaster. Celebrating more than 90 years of “making memories the old-fashioned way,” Knoebels will continue its legacy of providing a variety of rides and attractions in a family-friendly atmosphere.
Hersheypark® - Dutch Country Roads
Hershey
What started as a picnic and relaxation area for Hershey company employees is now one of the country’s premier amusement parks, with more than 70 rides and attractions, including Laff Trakk, the first indoor, spinning, glow-coaster in the U.S. Also included in the one-price admission are the 11-acre ZooAmerica® North America Wildlife Park and The Boardwalk at Hersheypark®. Coming in summer 2019, an all-new interactive gaming ride, Reese’s Cupfusion. The family-friendly ride equips agents with state-of-the-art gear to protect Reese’s Central and earn points on every mission. Chocolatetown will also open in 2020, bringing renovations to the park entrance, all new dining and shopping experiences, and Hersheypark’s fastest, tallest, and longest rollercoaster.
Sesame Place® - Philadelphia and the Countryside
Langhorne
It’s the perfect time – and they’re the perfect age – for Sesame Place®, the nation’s only theme park based entirely on the iconic television show Sesame Street®. Bring the entire family to whirl on rides, splash down slides, and hug everyone’s favorite furry friends. Don’t miss Cookie’s Monster Land!™, the furriest land ever, or the special opportunity to meet, greet, and eat with Elmo & Friends! It is also the first theme park in the world to be designated as a certified autism center, providing sensory friendly options and a trained staff for visitors with special needs. So go before they grow™ for a day that they’ll remember forever! The iconic Sesame Street Neighborhood is opening in May 2019, as well as a new live show and new neighbor, Mr. Snuffleupagus to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Sesame Street.
Kennywood® - Pittsburgh and its Countryside
West Mifflin
Established in 1898, Kennywood® brings an old-fashioned amusement park feel to the 21st century with rides like The Steel Curtain. With its opening in summer 2019, the new coaster will set three new records: tallest roller coaster in Pennsylvania, most inversions in the U.S., and the tallest inversion in the world. The exciting Sky Rocket coaster, which reaches speeds of 50 mph in three seconds, features a 90-degree drop. Designated a National Historic Landmark since 1987, you'll find "Lost Kennywood," a replica of turn-of-the-century architecture that houses some of the park's most popular rides, as well as an array of attractions throughout the park. Kennywood is one of only two amusement parks to be honored with the highest-level historic designation offered in the United States.
Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom - Lehigh Valley
Allentown
Long after its humble origins as a fish hatchery and summer resort, Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom has transformed into a popular park with more than 100 rides, games, restaurants, and attractions – including more than three dozen water play areas and slides. The park features the Possessed, which launches passengers back and forth, dangling beneath 704 feet of u-shaped track. Young thrill seekers will have a blast at Planet Snoopy, the PEANUTS™-themed park just for kids. Be sure to refuel in the Wildwater Kingdom at the Tidal Wave Café - serving hand-battered fried shrimp, rotisserie chicken, hand-breaded chicken tenderloins, and house-smoked pulled pork.
Dutch Wonderland® - Dutch Country Roads
Lancaster
Designed for families with young children, Dutch Wonderland hosts an array of attractions including live entertainment, more than 35 rides and a water play area. Guests can enjoy Exploration Island, a rediscovered island full of lifelike dinosaurs, and young explorers can learn about the history of more than 20 dinos while digging up fossils at the interactive Dino Dig. Experience the exciting Balloon Chase ride, where visitors can enjoy the view of the park by soaring sky-high in one of eight flying hot air balloons. Young thrill seekers can now join Dutch Wonderland’s friendly magician, Merlin, on a twisting and turning adventure to find his dragon, Mayhem, on Merlin’s Mayhem, the park’s first suspended family roller coaster. Dutch Wonderland has consistently been recognized as a premier family amusement park and was voted one of the “Top 5 Best Kid’s Parks in the World” by Amusement Today magazine.
Kalahari Resorts - Upstate PA
Pocono Manor
https://www.kalahariresorts.com/pennsylvania
Named after the Kalahari Dessert in Africa, Kalahari Resorts is a family-owned water park resort chain. Kalahari Resorts is home to America’s largest indoor waterpark. With 220,000 square feet to get into some wet, wild fun, the kiddos are sure to make a splash with slides, rafts, and bodyboarding! Kalahari also offers an outdoor adventure course Gorilla Grove Treetop Adventures that tests your physical ability to swing, climb, and zip through the tree tops.
DelGrosso’s Amusement Park - The Alleghenies
Tipton
DelGrosso’s Amusement Park can trace its roots back to 1907, when the Rinard brothers brought their carnival to the Bland Family Farm in Tipton, Pa. In 2000, more than 50 years after the DelGrosso family took ownership and management of the park, Bland’s Park was finally renamed DelGrosso’s Amusement Park. Today, guests can spend a fun-filled day on more than 30 rides such as the Paratrooper and Scrambler, while also admiring the beautiful Antique Carouselle and exploring the Kid’s Kingdom and the Water Park. For those looking for a thrill, take a high-flying ride on the neck of a guitar and enjoy an incredible LED® light show on The Rock Star. After unveiling the park’s largest expansion in its 69-year history back in 2016, its new waterpark, Laguna Splash, will again provide guests with a much-needed break from the summer heat as they experience a variety of slides and cabanas.
Splash Lagoon - Pennsylvania’s Great Lakes Region
Erie
Named by Budget Travel among the “Top 10 Indoor Water Parks in the U.S.,” Splash Lagoon features all the perks of a regular water park with some unique additions. Floating lily pads to walk on, an adult-only section, a kid’s area with mini slides, and the largest wave pool in the Eastern United States are just a few highlights at Splash Lagoon. Guests of all ages can enjoy the pleasures of this year-round water park, where summer never ends.
Lakemont Park - The Alleghenies
Altoona
Lakemont Park, the eighth-oldest amusement park in the United States, is home to Leap-the-Dips, a National Historic Landmark said to be the world’s oldest roller coaster. The amusement park is home to more than 30 rides and attractions with fun for the entire family. An 18 hole miniature golf course, the Island Waterpark, and arcade games entertain visitors of all ages.
Camelbeach Mountain Waterpark - Upstate PA
Tannersville
Camelback Mountain Resort transforms from a ski resort in the winter to Camelbeach Mountain Waterpark during the summer. Whether adrenaline-filled waterslides or just lounging poolside on a hot summer day is desired, there are thrills from mild to wild at the biggest waterpark in Pennsylvania. Camelbeach is complete with more than 37 rides, slides, and attractions to beat the heat of summer. Camelback’s Aquatopia Indoor Water Park was voted the #1 Indoor Waterpark in the USA & one of the best family resorts in the Poconos. Camelbeach’s Venus SlydeTrap is the first Aqua-Sphere-Manta slide of its kind in the world, and the Storm Chaser is the longest indoor water coaster in the nation!
Great Wolf Lodge - Upstate PA
Scotrun
www.greatwolf.com/poconos/waterpark
Great Wolf Lodge is a first-class, full-service, year-round family destination resort designed to capture the atmosphere and adventure of the Pocono Mountains. Splash the day away in more than 79,000 square feet of 84-degree water-packed excitement at the indoor waterpark, including shallow sections for little ones and slides for the thrill-seekers. The lodge also offers fun outside of the water. With a magic wand in hand, explore an enchanted kingdom in MagiQuest®, where kids can learn from an ancient wizard, battle a goblin, or outwit a dragon. For those looking for a relaxing experience, visitors can get an ice cream-themed manicure at the Scooops® Kid Spa, complete with a free ice cream sundae!
Idlewild Park & SoakZone - Laurel Highlands
Ligonier
It’s always a magnificent day at Idlewild Park, considered to be one of the most beautiful amusement parks in the country. Idlewild offers more than 48 unusual rides and attractions, including Raccoon Lagoon, Story Book Forest, and SoakZone waterpark. For nine consecutive years, Idlewild & SoakZone has received the coveted Golden Ticket Award for Best Children's Park by Amusement Today magazine. Little ones will love to take a trolley ride through Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. Idlewild is the first amusement park to introduce this character to young children, which is the first TV series inspired by the original Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.
Waldameer & Water World - Pennsylvania’s Great Lakes Region
Erie
Give the family all the fun and excitement of more than 100 rides, slides, and attractions at Waldameer.
Brave the 120-foot drop on the Ravine Flyer II, featuring six tunnels and a 165-foot arched bridge that soars over a four-lane highway! This thrilling ride is ranked the seventh best wooden coaster in the world by Amusement Today magazine. Gear up for new thrills in 2019 like Chaos, the newest attraction, which swings upside down nearly 60 feet in the air. The family-owned theme park also includes Water World, boasting 19 slides, a Kidz Zone, Endless River, and the Tri-State area’s largest wave pool.
Conneaut Lake Park - Pennsylvania’s Great Lakes Region
Conneaut Lake
It doesn’t matter if you’re nine or 90, Conneaut Lake Park is not just an amusement park, it is memories and good times for all ages. Opened in 1892, the park still reflects on its early origins. The Blue Streak Wooden Roller Coaster, constructed in 1938, is recognized by American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) as a Roller Coaster Landmark - a designation reserved for rides of historic significance. It was also one of the first rides to be named an ACE Coaster Classic, which distinguishes those rare coasters that operate in a traditional manner. In addition to rides, the park has various other attractions including mini golf, a water park, a historic boardwalk overlooking Conneaut Lake, and a campsite within walking distance from the park.