Pennsylvania is home to several of the country’s most beloved amusement parks. From Hershey Park to Dorney Park, there’s an exciting attraction for every type of thrill seeker. Each of these amusement parks ensures ample opportunities to swing, slide, drop, glide, and soar to your heart’s content. Book a stay at a Pennsylvania vacation rental for your upcoming getaway. Whether you want to take it easy for the kids or tease your inner daredevil, take a look at this list of the seven best amusement parks in Pennsylvania to help you plan your next adventure.
1. Hershey Park, Hershey
Choose your levels of excitement at Hershey Park, where you pay for everything in the one-price admission, including over 70 rides and attractions. The Laff Trakk s the first indoor, spinning, glowing roller coaster in the country; it soars through a neon-lit fun house. The Triple Tower lets you choose one of three levels of intensity to suit your level of nerves. Skyrush tends to generate the longest lines, and getting to the park early is a good idea. Hershey Park has something for everyone in your family, from the toddlers to the fast and furious. Look for the shuttles that take you between the parking lot and the park.
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2. Kennywood, West Mifflin
A mere 20 minutes from Pittsburgh, Kennywood remains a favorite amusement park in the state since 1898. The park features roller coasters that date back to the 1920s, as well as some modern roller coasters, including the Black Widow. Regular summer hours run from the end of May through August; after that, the park has limited weekend hours in September, and remains closed the rest of the year. Thrill-seekers jump on the Aero 360, the Kennywood Arrow. The arrows swing higher and higher in a pendulum motion, reaching a full-circle experience. Family and kid-friendly rides make it a day of adventure for every age in the family.
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3. Dorney Park, Allentown
There are lots of vacation rental options near Dorney Park, in Allentown, which is Pennsylvania’s third-largest city in population. The park delivers big-time thrills and chills, including the popular roller coaster, Steel Force, with its breathtaking 205-foot drop. But, it is the Hydra roller coaster that gives adrenaline junkies a whole new reason to scream: it is the only floorless roller coaster in the state. It totally shakes up the concept of roller coaster rides, leaving riders’ feet dangling just inches above the tracks, letting them see the rails zipping past their shoes. For the wee kiddies, take them to Planet Snoopy. There they can enjoy roller coasters designed just for them. Enjoy Dorney Park June through August, and on weekends in May, September, and October.
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4. Dutch Wonderland, Lancaster
Your Lancaster vacation rental gives you quick and easy access to Dutch Wonderland, an amusement park made for kids. More than 35 rides, shows, a small water park, and shows make it an ideal choice for your family’s next road-trip stopover or weekend vacation. Escort the kids to Exploration Island where they can dig up fossils and learn about dinosaurs. Join the Balloon Chase ride where you soar above the park in flying hot air balloons, and enjoy other family rides in the park with the kids. The park is open June through August, and offers limited weekend hours in April, May, September, and October.
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5. DelGrosso’s Amusement Park, Tipton
From May through September, haul your family off to DelGrosso’s Amusement Park in Tipton for a day or a weekend of adventure. It opened in 1907 as Bland Park; then, in 2000, the DelGrosso family took over and began escalating the thrills. Garner some fun spins on the Scrambler and the Paratrooper, or test your moxie on the adrenaline-filled Rock Star ride. It looks like the neck of a guitar, and gives you a free-fall experience from 55 feet above the midway in a sweeping, full-circle. For the kiddies, head over to the Kid’s Kingdom for boats, turtles, whales, and the antique carousel rides that move at their speed. During the heat of summer, check out the Laguna Splash in the water park while the kids enjoy the slides.
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6. Idlewild Park & SoakZone, Ligonier
Enjoy Idlewild Park & SoakZone, two spectacular parks-in-one, filled with rides, slides, and lots of fun for the whole family. Nestled in a beautiful, wooded setting, the park features over 50 rides and attractions, including the popular Raccoon Lagoon, Story Book Forest, and the Balloon Race. Be sure to take the little ones across the bridge to see “Thomas & Friends Full Steam Ahead Live.” It’s a popular kid’s show on the stage in Raccoon Lagoon, and it includes a photo opportunity with Thomas the Blue Engine. Concessions feature the best amusement park snacks and treats, including Wild West Kettle Korn, Italian Ice, and Dippin’ Dots. Kid-friendly restaurants on-site serve everything from salads to BBQ to ice cream. Ligonier, Laughlintown, and Greensburg feature a variety of vacation rental options from rustic cabins to efficient cottages.
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7. Knoebels, Elysburg
Established in the rustic community of Elysburg in 1926, Knoebels remains one of the few admission-free amusement parks in the country. You pay only for the you choose to enjoy. Look for thrill rides, family rides, and kiddie rides, including the antique carousel that dates back to the early 20th century. The park proudly features its diverse roller coasters, including the Impulse, a giant steel ride that opened in 2015, and the wooden Phoenix. Although park concessions offer classic amusement park treats, feel free to bring your own food to the park and use the grills and picnic facilities. There’s no need to hurry; and, if you want to turn this into a stay-cation, check out the charming Elysburg vacation cabin rentals. The season begins with weekend hours in April and May. It runs full tilt through August, and features limited openings in September and October.
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