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Lakemont Park, Altoona, Pennsylvania
Lakemont Park opened in 1894 as a trolley park and is America's 8th oldest operating amusement park. Lakemont Park is home to the world's oldest operating roller coaster, the 1902 Leap-the-Dips, which is a National Historic Landmark. The small park's other attractions include go carts, miniature golf, and The Island waterpark.
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Dorney Park, Allentown, Pennsylvania
Dorney Park began as a fishing and picnic resort in 1860. It opened as a trolley park in 1884 and is the 5th oldest operating amusement park in America. By 1900 it was prospering as a major area attraction that featured gardens, swings, a zoo, a swimming pool, sporting events, a scenic railway, a cable ride, and a Ferris Wheel. In 1985 Dorney Park opened the first major water park (White Water Kingdom) in the Northeast and in 1995 it debuted Hercules as the world's tallest wooden roller coaster. Other major roller coasters include the 200 feet tall Steel Force (which is a consistent favorite of coaster enthusiasts), the inverted Talon (another favorite), and ThunderHawk, a classic wooden coaster from 1923. Dorney Park's other classic attractions include a 1921 carousel which was originally located at Cedar Point, a 1920 Whip, the 1935 Zephyr (a miniature train ride), and a 1949 Tilt-A-Whirl. Dorney Park and White Water Kingdom is owned by Cedar Fair L.P. and is a sister park to Cedar Point.
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Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York
Coney Island's amusement park area was established in 1895 as America's first major amusement resort and set the standards for traditional American amusement parks. The island's beach was a perfect day trip destination for New York City's working class. In 1920 a subway line was constructed to make it more easily accessible from all areas of New York City. As the island's popularity grew, resort hotels and it's famous boardwalk were constructed, along with sideshow and amusement areas. Sea Lion Park (now DEFUNCT) was the first amusement park to open on Coney Island. Sea Lion Park was also America's first indoor amusement park. Eventually, three lavish amusement parks would compete for thrill seekers: Steeplechase Park, Luna Park, and Dreamland Park (all three are now DEFUNCT). Coney Island was home to America's first traditional roller coaster, the Switchback Gravity Pleasure Railway, and America's first looping roller coaster Loop the Loops. Coney Island remained the amusement park capital of the world until the end of World War II. Several devastating fires, area rezoning, and a rise in crime during the 1950s ended Coney Island's reign. Although Coney Island currently hosts a diverse ethnic population, the original Nathan's Famous hot dog stand remains as popular as when it first opened in 1916. Today, Nathan's Famous, the beach, the three mile long boardwalk, the New York Aquarium, the Coney Island Circus Sideshow, Astroland Amusement Park, and Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement & Kiddie Park make a visit to Coney Island worthwhile. Astroland is home to the world famous Cyclone roller coaster, while Deno's is home to the famous Wonder Wheel Ferris Wheel. The Cyclone is a National Historic Landmark while the Wonder Wheel is an official New York City Landmark. In addition, plans were announced for a billion-dollar restoration and expansion of the decaying amusement area into a world-class year-round destination resort.
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Palisades Amusement Park, Fort Lee & Cliffside Pk, NJ (DEFUNCT)
Palisades Amusement Park began in 1898 as a trolley park and picnic area and soon began competing with Coney Island by adding rides and attractions. Located atop a New Jersey cliff, directly across the Hudson River from upper Manhattan, Palisades Amusement Park's popularity actually led to it's demise. It boasted the world's largest salt water swimming pool and presented world class concerts by the the biggest bands and pop singers. It even inspired the song Palisades Park in 1962. Palisades Amusement Park was famous for its advertising and publicity stunts and for pioneering new rides and attractions, including 17 roller coasters. Like Coney Island, Palisades Amusement Park suffered many fires. Ironically, though, Palisades Amusement Park was so popular that rebuilding made the park even more successful. Equally ironic, area residents began to resent the lack of sufficient parking facilities at the park because patrons would park along the narrow streets of Fort Lee and Cliffside Park. Unable to provide additional parking, Palisades Amusement Park's elderly owner bowed to the pressure and sold the property to real estate developers in 1971. Today, massive condominium towers occupy the land. When the park closed, many of its world renowned rides and attractions were sold to amusement parks and carnivals all across the country.
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Kennywood Amusement Park, West Mifflin, PA
Kennywood Amusement Park opened in 1898 as a trolley park. It is America's 17th oldest operating amusement park and the sole survivor of many other turn-of-the-century trolley parks in the Pittsburgh area. Kennywood has always been one of America's finest amusement parks and is a National Historic Landmark. It was considered the roller coaster capitol of the world before Cedar Point earned the title. From the 1930s until the 1950s it hosted dances and live music by famous bands. Kennywood is famous for its Thunderbolt and Steel Phantom roller coasters, both of which are consistently rated among the world's top 10 roller coasters by roller coaster enthusiasts. When Steel Phantom debuted in 1991 it had the world's longest drop and was the world's fastest coaster. Steel Phantom's track actually passes through the Thunderbolt's wooden superstructure. Other Kennywood roller coasters include Phantom's Revenge, Exterminator, and the historic Jack Rabbit and Racer. Other classic rides include the 1902 Old Mill boat ride, the 1918 Whip, the 1926 Merry-Go-Round, the 1927 Turtle, the 1930 Auto Race, the 1936 Noah's Ark, and the 1939 Railroad. Kennywood also has one of the first kiddie areas. Kennywood is owned by Kennywood Park Corporation and is a sister park of Lake Compounce and Idlewild Park.
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Hershey Park, Hershey, Pennsylvania
Hershey Park opened in 1907 as a picnic area for the employees of Hershey's chocolate factory and is America's 25th oldest operating amusement park. Hershey is located in the heart of the Pennsylvania Dutch Amish country, which has always attracted visitors, so when the park was opened to the public it was an immediate success. Because first time visitors to Hershey Park also usually toured the chocolate factory, trolleys were added to transport them. Hershey quickly became a resort destination and, like Cedar Point, set many of the standards for amusement park resorts. Today, visitors can learn about the chocolate making process at Hershey's Chocolate World which is adjacent to the park. Also adjacent to the park is the ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park. Hershey Park is known for its great food as well as for its rides and attractions. Hershey Park Stadium and the Star Pavilion amphitheater offer concerts by top entertainers and Hershey Arena offers ice skating and hockey games. Other Hershey Park attractions include the the Comet, Great Bear, Lightning Racer, Roller Soaker, Sooperdooperlooper, and Sidewinder roller coasters, as well as the Tidal Force and Western Shoot Out water rides. Sooperdooperlooper became the first steel vertical looping coaster on the East coast in 1977. Visitors to Hershey can stay at the world class Hotel Hershey & Spa.
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Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz, California
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk began in 1907 as a beach bathhouse. It is America's 23rd oldest operating amusement park and the sole survivor of California's seaside boardwalk resorts. It is California's oldest amusement park and a State Historic Landmark. It's carousel and Giant Dipper roller coaster are National Historic Landmarks. Modeled after the turn of the century Coney Island amusement area, it brought the East Coast style amusement park to the West Coast. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is highly popular with teens and young adults and is one of the West Coast's most sought after amusement park destinations. Music and dancing by top entertainers was first featured at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk during the 1930s and continues today with major concerts by today's top acts. Other major attractions include the Coconut Grove Ballroom, the Boardwalk Bowl, the beach, and a historic Ferris Wheel.
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Knott's Berry Farm, Buena Vista, California
Knott's Berry Farm opened in 1920 as a fruit and vegetable stand and is America's first theme park. The farm's popularity led to a restaurant and several theme areas, including a ghost town, which recreated the spirit of America. The theme areas made Knott's Berry Farm America's first true themepark. In 1975, Knott's debuted one of the first steel corkscrew looping roller coasters. Today, Knott's Berry Farm remains one of America's premiere amusement parks. It's world class rides and attractions are spread across 6 theme areas including Ghost Town, Boardwalk, Fiesta Village, Indian Trails, Camp Snoopy, and White Water Wilderness. Knott's Berry Farm's major attractions include the Boomerang,, Xcelerator, Ghost Rider, and Montezuma's Revenge roller coasters. Knott's Berry Farm is owned by Cedar Fair L.P. and is a sister park of Cedar Point and Dorney Park.
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Knoebels Amusement Park, Elysburg, Pennsylvania
Knoebels Amusement Park opened in 1926 as a popular swimming and amusement area. It was unique because visitors could travel there via hayrides. It quickly became a favorite family destination and earned a reputation for its fine food, children's rides, covered bridges, and its 2 world famous carousels: the 1913 Grand Carousel and the 1911 Merry-Go-Round #2. Knoebels' beautifully wooded setting also enabled it's owners to rent cottages to visitors during the 1910s and 1920s. Knoebels's most famous attraction, however, is the Phoenix roller coaster which is consistently rated among the top 10 roller coasters among roller coaster enthusiasts. What's even more impressive is that the Phoenix was relocated from the defunct Playland Park in San Antonio, Texas. It's relocation marked the first time that a roller coaster had been moved from one park to another. From 1947 until 1980, the Phoenix had operated as the Rocket. Other major attractions at Knoebels include the Twister, Whirlwind, and High Speed Thrill Coaster roller coasters, the Haunted Mansion, the Giant Wheel, the Flume, the Flyer, and the Tilt-A-Whirl. Knoebels also has a swimming pool and one of the best kiddie parks in the United States. Knoebels Amusement Park is independently owned and operated by the Knoebels family.
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Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia
Mystic Seaport, Mystic, Connecticut
Plimoth Plantation, Plymouth, Massachusetts
Colonial Williamsburg, Mystic Seaport, and Plimoth Plantation are definitely not traditional amusement parks. Nor, are they theme parks. They are "living history" parks that have set re-enactment standards for many other American historical, amusement, and theme parks. Williamsburg was the capitol of Virginia from 1699 to 1780. It's restoration began in 1926. Mystic Seaport was a major New England maritime center during the 18th and 19th centuries. Its restoration began in 1929. Plimoth Plantation is where the Pilgrims lived after arriving on the Mayflower. The open air museum was founded in 1947. All three of these institutions provide a unique, fun, and educational experience for the whole family.
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Playland, Rye, New York
Playland is a traditional amusement park which opened in 1928 on the shores of Westchester County's Long Island Sound and is a National Historic Landmark. It is also owned and operated by Westchester County and is the only American amusement park to be owned and operated by the government. In addition, it is the first pre-planned American amusement park and set the standards for other pre-planned parks. Playland retains its original Art Deco beauty. It has one of the last operating Derby Racers and is home to the world class 74 year old Dragon Coaster roller coaster and the 75 year old Little Dipper roller coaster. Other attractions include the House of Mirrors, Ye Old Mill boat ride (a former Tunnel of Love), a 1915 carousel, the Whip, the Sky Flyer, the Flying Witch, the Auto Scooter (one of America's largest bumper car rides), a beach, a swimming pool, a pier, and an indoor ice skating rink where the NY Rangers used to practice. Playland appeared in the movie Big starring Tom Hanks.
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Disneyland, Anaheim, California
The Disneyland theme park opened in 1955 and was revolutionary because it was the first majorplanned amusement park that omitted a central midway area and provided separate theme areas instead. It was also the first major amusement park whose attractions were based on television and movie characters. Disneyland was an overnight success because it catered to the new baby boom generation. It was also the first Disney theme park and set new standards for all future theme parks. Disneyland's theme areas include Adventureland, Critter Country, Fantasyland, Frontierland, Main Street USA, Mickey's Toontown, New Orleans Square, and Tomorrowland. Classic attractions include the Space Mountain, Matterhorn, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad roller coasters, Splash Mountain, It's a Small World, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, the Haunted Mansion, the Mad Tea Party, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, and Pirates of the Caribbean. Other Disney theme Parks are located in Florida, France, and Japan. One is planned for Hong Kong.
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Six Flags Over Texas, Arlington, Texas
Six Flags Over Texas opened in 1961, midway between Dallas and Fort Worth, as the first successful planned combination of a traditional amusement park and a theme park. Six Flags Over Texas is also the first successful regional amusement Park in the United States, catering to a specific metropolitan area. It's successful design served as the model for all of the succeeding Six Flags parks (many of which were once privately owned) as well as the model for many other amusement parks. Six Flags Over Texas remains one of Texas's premiere destinations. Attractions include America's first Log Flume, the Superman Tower of Power, the Titan, Batman-The Ride, Mr Freeze, Shock Wave, Flashback, Runaway Mountain, Mine Train, Judge Roy Scream, and Texas Giant roller coasters. Other Six Flags amusement parks are located in California, Belgium, Canada, Colorado, France, Georgia, Germany, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mexico, Missouri, the Netherlands, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Spain, Texas and Washington. Six Flags Over Texas is owned by Six Flags Inc.
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Sea World, San Diego, California
Sea World opened in 1964 as an alternative to aquariums. It evolved into a non traditional theme park that showcases Killer Whales, Dolphins, Penguins, sharks, and other marine animals in an environment similar to their natural habitats. Sea World's success stems from it's aquatic shows which are both entertaining and educational. Over the years, Sea World has created a successful formula by adding separate theme areas and by incorporating traditional amusement park elements such as variety shows and rides. Additional Sea World parks are located in Orlando, Florida and San Antonio, Texas. An Ohio Sea World park was sold in 2000 to Six Flags due to zoning restrictions. Sea World is owned by Anheuser-Busch which also owns the Busch Gardens and Adventure Island parks in Tampa, Florida; the Busch Gardens and Water Country parks in Williamsburg, Virginia; Discovery Cove in Orlando, Florida; and Sesame Place near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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Six Flags Magic Mountain, Valencia, California
Magic Mountain opened in 1971 as a planned amusement park. What put it on the map was the addition of theGreat American Revolution roller coaster in 1976 which appeared in the 1977 movie Roller Coaster starring George Segal and Timothy Bottoms. The Revolution caused a revolution within the amusement park industry because it was the world's first all-steel vertical looping roller coaster, and the public couldn't get enough of it. Soon, every major amusement park in the United States had to have one in order to survive. Since then, Magic Mountain has continued to pioneer new thrill rides. In 1978, Colossus, a twin racing coaster, debuted as the world's largest and fastest wooden roller coaster. In 1990 Viper debuted as the world's largest looping roller coaster. In 1997, the 41-story / 100 mph Superman-The Escape debuted as the world's tallest and fastest ride. In 2007, Tatsu debuted as the world's tallest, fastest, and longest flying coaster. Magic Mountain has 17 roller coasters, placing it neck and neck with Cedar Point. Other major Magic Mountain attractions include the Scream!, X, Deja Vu, Goliath, Riddler's Revenge, Ninja, Flashback, Psyclone, and Batman-The Ride roller coasters as well as the Dive Devil thrill ride, and the Sky Tower observation tower. Magic Mountain was purchased by Six Flags in the late 1970s. Other Six Flags amusement parks are located in California, Belgium, Canada, Colorado, France, Georgia, Germany, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mexico, Missouri, the Netherlands, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Spain, Texas and Washington.
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Wet 'n Wild, Orlando, Florida
Orlando's Wet 'n Wild opened in 1977 as America's first true water park and pioneered the concept of the water park. Today it is one of Orlando's most popular destinations. Wet n Wild's world-class thrill ride attractions include The Bomb Bay, Der Stuka, and Blue Niagara water slides as well as The Storm and Mach 5 water chutes, the Hydra Fighter water swing ride, and the Black Hole raft ride.
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Universal Studios, Orlando, Florida
Universal opened its first Florida theme park, Universal Studios Orlando, in 1990 at the same time that Disney opened its Disney/MGM Studios theme park in Orlando. Both parks were revolutionary because many of the rides were motion simulated and visually enhanced, enabling visitors to "ride the movies" in front of a movie screen. Universal Studios Orlando offered many more of these rides and attractions, however. Ironically, technical problems with many of the attractions delayed the opening of the Universal Studios park. Universal Orlando has since expanded to include Islands of Adventure, which is a state-of-the-art theme thrill ride park. Major attractions at Universal Studios Orlando include Back to the Future, E.T. Adventure, Earthquake- The Big One, Men In Black Alien Attack, Terminator 2: 3-D, Twister... Ride it Out, and Shrek 4-D. Other Universal parks are located in Hollywood, Japan, and Spain.
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Idlewild Park, Ligonier, Pennsylvania
Idlewild Park is America's 3rd oldest operating amusement park and one of it's most beautiful parks. It's popularity began in 1878 when the Ligonier Railroad placed a station there to help promote the park's camping, boating, fishing, picnic, and hall facilities. However, park visitors remained more interested in the park's natural beauty than in its amusement areas until the 1930s, when the facilities were improved and new amusements were added. Idlewild offers the charm and nostalgia of simpler times and caters mainly to families and children. Its main attractions include historic Olde Idlewild, which is the original amusement area, the Racoon Lagoon, Storybook Village, Jumpin' Jungle, and Mister Rogers Neighborhood children's areas, Hootin' Holler mining town, and Soak Zone water park. Rides include the Rollo Coaster and Wild Mouse roller coasters, a 1920s Merry-Go-Round, a 1930's Whip, a 1940s Caterpillar, and a Tilt-A-Whirl. Idlewild Park is owned by the Kennywood Park Corporation and is a sister park of Lake Compounce.
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Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio
Cedar Point opened in 1870 and is America's 2nd oldest operating amusement park. The Lake Erie peninsula beach resort offered concerts and camping facilities. Unlike trolley parks, most of Cedar Point's visitors arrived by boat. Cedar Point's first ride was a water ride which opened in 1880 in the lake. It's first roller coaster, the Switchback Railway, opened in 1892. Since then, Cedar Point has become recognized as the mother of all amusement parks and pioneered many of the standards for world class amusement resort areas. It is consistently rated the world's number one amusement park by amusement park enthusiasts. Not only is it the world's largest traditional amusement park (365 acres), it has the most rides, the most roller coasters (17), and many of the best rated coasters. Cedar Point is known as a roller coaster pioneer and is always building the biggest, longest, tallest, and fastest ones. In 1976, it debuted the world's first corkscrew coaster with 3 inversions. In 1978 it debuted Gemini, the world's tallest coaster, a double wooden racing coaster. In 1989 it debuted the Magnum XL-200 as the world's tallest and fastest coaster. In 1995 it debuted Mantis as the worlds tallest and fastest stand-up coaster. In 2000 it debuted Millennium Force as the world's tallest and fastest coaster. In 2003, the 420 ft/120 mph Top Speed Dragster opened as the world's tallest and fastest coaster. Cedar Point's newset coaster is 2007s Maverick which includes a 95 degree drop. The park's other coasetrs include Wicked Twister, Raptor, Iron Dragon, Mean Streak, and Disaster Transport. Other major attractions include the Power Tower thrill ride, the Giant Wheel Ferris Wheel, the Space Spiral observation tower ride, Soak City water park, the Breakers Hotel, and the Coliseum hall. Cedar Point is owned by Cedar Fair L.P.
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The Iowa State Fair, Des Moines, Iowa
The first Iowa State Fair opened in 1854 in Fairfield, Iowa as a 3 day stock show. In 1879 it was moved to Des Moines, where it has been declared a National Historic Landmark. The Iowa State Fair is the largest state fair in America and inspired the musical State Fair. It is currently an 11 day August event and, although there are not many rides, it contains all of the elements of a traditional amusement park and theme park. Each year a different theme is chosen showcasing agriculture, industry, technology, the arts, American culture, and world culture. Competitions have included beauty pageants, talent contests, art contests, baby contests, food contests, cooking contests, produce contests, auto racing, equestrian events, dog shows, horseshoe pitching, farming contests, gadget contests, and hog calling contests. The Iowa State Fair also provides world class concerts by top entertainers. Other major attractions at the Iowa State Fair include: a grandstand, auto racing, a midway, daredevils, a petting zoo, the Double Ferris Wheel, the Tunnel of Love, the Agriculture Building, the Varied Industries Building, the Cultural Center, Grandfather's Farm, the Horse Barn, the Cattle Barn, the Walnut Center (Technology Pavilion), and the Butter Cow.
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Lake Compounce, Bristol, Connecticut
Lake Compounce opened in 1846 in Bristol, Connecticut and is America's first and oldest operating amusement park. Like many amusement parks, it began as a picnic area that also offered swimming, boating, and concerts. Eventually, trolleys ran to and from the park on weekends. Because it is the first major amusement park in the United States, it pioneered the American amusement park concept. Lake Compounce remains a world class amusement park. TheBoulder Dash roller coaster is the longest and fastest wooden coaster on the Eastern seaboard and ranks among the nation's top rated coasters. Boulder Dash is unique because it is the first wooden roller coaster built into the side of a mountain. Lake Compounce also features an original 1911 antique carousel and the Mark Twain sternwheel paddleboat. In addition, trolley service has returned to the park and visitors can ride the antique 1911 trolley. Lake Compounce is owned by the Kennywood Park Corporation.
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America's Most Influential Amusement Parks
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Amusement Park Directories:
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Web site created by Alan J. Ageloff
Copyright 2010 Alan Ageloff. All rights reserved.
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America's amusement parks have always been favorite destinations. The term amusement park has become obsolete in America, however. Today's most popular American amusement parks include theme parks, water parks, sports parks, zoological parks, aquatic parks, botanical gardens, and historical parks. The number of American amusement park venues is always increasing.
A major focal point of America's once-dominant traditional amusement parks is the central midway area featuring games, food stands, and novelty concessions. Major focal points of the now-dominant theme parks (such as Disney and Six Flags) are separate themed areas. Water parks and sports parks are among the newest park venues and also have theme areas. Focal ponits of water parks include giant slides and wave pools. Focal points of sports parks include areas for mountain biking, motocross, skate boarding, and bungee jumping. Zoological, aquatic, botanical, and historical parks, although slower paced, are quickly gaining popularity as alternatives, especially for aging baby-boomers.
American amusement park competitiveness is based on the type of park, its size and attractions, and upon its having the biggest, tallest, fastest, and wildest rides. Interestingly, there is no specific formula for guaranteeing the success of an American amusement park. Many successful zoos and aquariums have added rides while others remain competitive by offering few rides or no rides. In addition, many traditional parks have added non-traditional attractions. During warmer months, many popular ski areas open as sports parks because their terrain is ideal for summertime activities. The Anhueser-Busch, Cedar Fair, Paramount, Six Flags, Universal, and Walt Disney corporations own and operate many of the best American parks. However, many independently owned and operated parks are just as successful and do not conform to the traditional rules of competition.
Amusement Parks of America's Past and Present presents an overview of the most influential and classic American amusement parks. It also provides links to the best American amusement parks, amusement park history sites, roller coaster sites, and sites containing information regarding other popular amusement park attractions.
Have you been to an amusement park lately?
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T H E A R T O F W A Y N E T H I E L
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An Amusement Park Overview
Amusement parks have existed for hundreds of years as fairs, festivals, carnivals, circuses, expositions, and pleasure gardens. They have often existed in city & town squares and in public and private gardens. Although these venues provided pleasure seekers with leisurely activities and family settings, many provided curiosity & thrill seekers with oddities, freak shows, and even public executions.
Many of America's oldest amusement parks originated as "trolley" parks during the early 19th century. Trolley and railroad companies would build lavish parks at the end of their lines in order to promote weekend ridership. The idea was highly successful as people dressed up in their Sunday best to enjoy a day at the park, especially with their families. Parks added more and more features to satisfy the public's appetite for newer and more novel forms of entertainment.
The modern amusement park era began in the United States with the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago, with the invention of electricity, the Ferris Wheel, and the midway. Major cities quickly discovered that electric rides & attractions and elaborate night time lighting displays would lure even more visitors to the trolley parks and to the resorts which sprang up around them, usually at lakes, the sea shore, or on river banks.
Eventually, amusement resorts sprang up in suburban and rural areas from coast to coast and became premiere vacation destinations that vitalized local economies. Parks competed with each other by providing the latest technological innovations, and continue to do so today. By 1900, amusement parks were a staple of American society.
The first "golden age" of amusement parks followed WWI and lasted until the Great Depression of the 1930s. A second golden age followed WWII, prompted the creation of Disneyland, and lasted throughout the 1950s. The beginning of the 21st century has brought about a third golden age which is being sustained by technological advancements and by the public's yearning for cheaper, alternative travel destinations.
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Amusement Park Factoids:
- America's first big amusement park, Manhattan Island's Jones Wood, opened in the early 1800s along 160 wooded acres between what is now 68th Street, 77th Street, 3rd Avenue, and the East River. Its main attractions were sporting events and a beer garden.
- More amusement parks have opened in Pennsylvania than in any other state.
- America was home to about 2000 operating amusement parks. Today, only about 600 remain.
- There are no major amusement parks in Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington DC, and Wyoming.
- Roller Coasters are among the safest thrill rides.
- When it closed for good in 1967, Riverview Amusement Park in Chicago, Illinois was the world's largest amusement park.
- Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio is the currently world's largest traditional amusement park.
- Wisconsin Dells' 18 waterparks include the largest indoor and outdoor water parks in the US.
Amusement Park News:
- A major theme park & water park resort named Las Vegas Wet is currently being developed just south of the Las Vegas Strip. Encompassing over 200 acres, the complex will include North America's largest indoor waterpark, North America's largest snow dome, a 60 acre outdoor theme park, and a 23 acre outdoor waterpark. Also planned are three major hotels, a 100,000 square foot casino, and the world's largest parking garage.
- Alien Apex Resort, a UFO-themed amusement park, has been proposed for Roswell, New Mexico, the site of 1947's infamous Roswell Incident. A focal point of the 60-acre-plus park is a multimillion dollar indoor roller coaster that would simulate an alien abduction. For additional information please click here.
- The world's tallest and fastest roller coaster opened at New Jersey's Six Flags Great Adventure in May 2005. Similar in design to Cedar Point's "Top Speed Dragster", "Kingda Ka" tops 450 feet in height and travels over 125 MPH. Please visit the Six Flags Great Adventure Media Center for pictures and additional info.
- A controversial 1.5 billion dollar facelift has been proposed for 32 blocks of Brooklyn's famed Coney Island amusement area. Plans include beach and boardwalk restoration, glitzy new hotels, and an indoor amusement park.
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Other Historic American Amusement Parks:
Adventureland, Des Moines, IA (the Tornado is rated as a top 10 wooden roller coaster)
Arnolds Park Amusement Park, Arnolds Park, IA (America's 10th oldest amusement park)
Beech Bend Park, Bowling Green, KY (America's 8th oldest amusement park)
Belmont Park, San Diego, CA
Bushkill Park, Easton, PA (a 1903 trolley park and America's 20th oldest amusement park)
Camden Park, Huntington, WV (a 1903 trolley park and America's 19th oldest amusement park)
Canobie Lake Park, Salem, NH (a 1902 trolley park and America's 18th oldest amusement park)
Carousel Gardens, New Orleans, LA (America's 11th oldest amusement park)
Clementon Amusement Park, Clementon, NJ (America's 24th oldest amusement park)
Coney Island, Cincinnati, OH (America's 7th oldest amusement park)
Conneaut Lake Park, Conneaut Lake, PA (America's 12th oldest amusement park) (DEFUNCT)
Council Crest, Portland, OR (DEFUNCT)
Crossroads Village, Flint, MI
Cypress Gardens, Winter Haven, FL (Florida's first amusement park)
Del Grosso's Amusement Park, Tipton, PA (formerly Bland's Park)
Euclid Beach Park, Cleveland, OH (DEFUNCT)
Forest Park Highlands, St. Louis, MO (DEFUNCT)
Freedomland, Bronx, NY (DEFUNCT)
Geauga Lake & Wild Water Kingdom, Cleveland, OH (9th oldest in the US)
Glen Echo Park, Glen Echo, MD (a trolley park) (DEFUNCT)
Holiday World, Santa Claus, IN (the Raven was rated the #1 wooden roller coaster)
Idora Park, Youngstown, OH (DEFUNCT)
Indiana Beach, Monticello, IN
Jantzen Beach Amusement Park, Portland, OR (DEFUNCT)
Keansburg Amusement Park, Keansburg, NJ (America's 21st oldest amusement park)
Land of Make Believe, Hope, NJ
Lake Winnepesaukah, Chattanooga, TN
Lakeside Amusement Park, Denver, CO
Lagoon Park, Farmington, UT (an 1896 railroad park and America's 16th oldest amusement park)
LeSourdsville Lake Amusement Park, Middletown, OH (Americana Amusement Park) (DEFUNCT)
Lotus Isle, Portland, OR (DEFUNCT)
Luna Park, Seattle, WA (a 1907 trolley park) (DEFUNCT)
Midway Park, Maple Springs, NY (an 1898 trolley park and America's 16th oldest amusement park)
Oaks Park, Portland, OR (a 1905 trolley park and America's 22nd oldest amusement park)
Ocean View Park, Norfolk, VA (DEFUNCT)
Olentangy Park, Columbus, OH (DEFUNCT)
Palace Amusements, Asbury Park, NJ (DEFUNCT)
Quassy Amusement Park, Middlebury, CT (a 1908 trolley park)
Revere Beach, Revere Beach, MA (DEFUNCT)
Riverview Park, Chicago, IL (DEFUNCT)
The Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA
Sea Breeze Amusement Park, Rochester, NY (an 1879 trolley park & Americas 4th oldest)
Silver Springs, Silver Springs, FL
The Steel Pier, Atlantic City Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ
Trimper's Rides Amusements, Ocean City, MD (America's 13th oldest amusement park)
Venice Beach, Venice, CA (DEFUNCT)
Waldameer Park, Erie, PA (an 1893 trolley park and America's 15th oldest amusement park)
Weeki Wachee Springs, Weeki Wachee, FL (Famous for its mermaids)
Whalom Park, Lunenburg, MA (an 1893 trolley park & America's 14th oldest amusement park)
White City Amusement Park, Chicago, IL (DEFUNCT)
Williams Grove Amusement Park, Mechanicsburg, PA (DEFUNCT)
Water Parks:
Hurricane Harbor (various Six Flags parks)
Kalahari Resort, Wisconsin Dells, WI
Noah's Ark Water Park, Wisconsin Dells, WI
Raging Waters, San Dimas, CA
Schlitterbahn, New Braunfels, TX
Splashin' Safari Water Park, Santa Claus, IN
Splish Splash, Riverhead, NY (Long Island)
Water World, Denver, CO
Sports Parks:
Beans Bike Park, Dennison, Ohio
Diablo Freeride Park, Vernon, NJ
Mammoth Mtn. Bike Park, Mammoth Lakes, CA
Mount Snow, West Dover, VT
Plattekill Mountain, Roxbury, NY
Woodbury Skate Park, Woodbury, CT
Other Fun Amusement Parks in the US:
Traditional Parks and Theme Parks:
Adventureland, East Farmingdale, NY
California's Great America, Santa Clara, CA
Carowinds, Charlotte, NC
Castles N' Coasters, Phoenix, AZ
Cliff's Amusement Park, Albuqueruqe, NM
Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, TN
Kings Dominion, Richmond, VA
Kings Island, Cincinnati, OH
The Mall of America, Bloomington, MN
Martin's Fantasy Island, Grand Island, NY
Michigan's Adventure, Muskegon, MI
Seaside Heights Boardwalk, Seaside Heights, NJ
Silverwood Theme Park, Coeur d'Alene, ID
Valley Fair, Shakopee, MN
Western Playland, El Paso, TX
Wild Adventures, Valdosta, GA
Wonderland Park, Amarillo, TX
Worlds of Fun, Kansas City, MO
The BEST Operating Amusement Parks in the US:
The following sites list their top picks:
What's New at American Amusement Parks?
Visit these sites to explore the newest attractions:
Past American World's Fair Information:
The 1876 Centennial Exhibition, Philadelphia, PA
The 1901 Pan Am Exposition, Buffalo, NY (DEFUNCT)
The 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition, San Francisco, CA
The 1935/36 California Pacific Exposition, San Diego, CA
The 1939/40 World's Fair, New York, NY
The 1964/65 World's Fair, New York, NY
Modern Ruins - The 1964 World's Fair, New York, NY
The 1982 World's Fair, Knoxville, TN
Amusement Parks
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