The land of the Liberty Bell, the National Constitution Center, chocolate, and cheesesteaks, welcome to Pennsylvania. Fondly known as the Keystone State, Pennsylvania is historically among USA’s foremost states, offering the best of culture, history, industry, crowd, and food. Not just these, the state’s verdant landscape will not cease to amaze you either. While most of the usual attractions would already feature on your must-see lists, you must also not forget to add these top theme parks and amusement parks in Pennsylvania, USA. It’s only fair to say that the state has quite an affair with fun, frolic, and tons of memorable experiences. Check out this list of top theme parks and amusement parks in Pennsylvania, USA.
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1. Splash Lagoon
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Water baby? Plunge yourselves in water-related activities, rides, and a rollicking time splashing around at the Splash Lagoon. An indoor waterpark resort, Splash Lagoon has the largest indoor wave pool in Eastern USA, all for you to jump into! An activity treehouse, family whirlpool rides, swirling water slides, and a unique Tiki treehouse, there’s plenty you can keep yourself busy with here. The park is Polynesian-themed, so be prepared to experience some exotic, beachy vibes as well.
Splash Lagoon
Address: 8091 Peach Street, Erie, PA 16509
Website: Splash Lagoon
Opening hours: Mon - Wed & Fri: 10am - 9pm; Thur: 10am - 8pm; Sat: 9am - 9pm; Sun: 9am - 8pm
Price: 20 - 50 USD
2. Idlewild & SoakZone
This one’s an oldie, but a goodie. Pennsylvania’s oldest children’s amusement park combo, Idlewild & SoakZone is a fantastic place to spend time having unadulterated fun. Although Idlewild and SoakZone are two different parks, you can easily access both as they’re interconnected. While Idlewild is a classic combo of some thrilling rides and several entertainment shows, SoakZone is for the water lovers. Both places are a hit with kids and adults alike.
Idlewild & SoakZone
Address: 2574 US-30, Ligonier, PA 15658,
Website: Idlewild & SoakZone
Opening hours: Idlewild: 10:30am - 8pm (daily); SoakZone: 11:30am - 6pm (daily)
Price: 25 - 40 USD
3. Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom
Another superb place to have the best of exciting rides and energetic water activities is the Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom duo. Hosting one of the most impressive waterparks, roller coaster rides for adults, and child-friendly rides at Planet Snoopy, this amusement park has all the makings of making it a wholly satisfying day for you as well as your little one. If you’re a real thrill-seeker, hitch a ride on the Steel Force hypercoaster, which is the ninth-longest steel roller coaster worldwide! Else, Talon, Thunderhawk, and the Stinger will also test your adrenaline.
Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom
Address: 3830 Dorney Park Rd, Allentown, PA 18104
Website: Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom
Opening hours: Subject to change without notice; check website for latest information
Price: 35 - 100 USD
4. DelGrosso’s Park and Laguna Splash
Following the theme park and waterpark streak is DelGrosso’s Park and Laguna Splash. More famously known as the Bland Park (the park’s former name), there are more than 30 rides, a dedicated kids’ play pavilion, and some amazing seasonal shows that the place hosts regularly. Laguna Splash was added to DelGrosso’s Park’s facility only in 2016 and it is Italian-themed, so get there to rollick about in their very own Leaning Tower of Pisa! You can also book yourself one of the 12 cabanas at the waterpark and have yourself a chill time! The place follows a pay-as-you-go kind of payment system so no need to spend on anything you don’t want.
DelGrosso’s Park and Laguna Splash
Address: 4352 E Pleasant Valley Blvd, Tipton, PA 16684, USA
Website: DelGrosso’s Park and Laguna Splash
Opening hours: Subject to change without notice; check website for latest information
5. Sandcastle Water Park
Jump in with both feet at one of Sandcastle Water Park’s many water slides and have yourself a kickass summer-time party splashing around. 15 water slides, a lazy river swimming pool, the waterfall Mushroom Pool, the Mon-Tsunami wave pool among several others are only a few of the many attractions to keep you busy here. Else, there’s also the Boardwalk Blasters, the Blue Tubaluba, and the Wet Willie’s Water Works area with a ton of water activities to indulge in. For a real riveting experience, hit up The Monster for an 18m (60ft) high and 75m (250ft) long free-fall slide!
Sandcastle Water Park
Address: 1000 Sandcastle Dr, West Homestead, PA
Website: Sandcastle Water Park
Opening hours: 11am - 6pm (daily)
Price: 20 - 35 USD
6. Hersheypark
It’s only fair for a company with its global headquarters in Pennsylvania to have one of their thrill-filled family theme parks in the state. A gift of the Hershey Chocolate Company, Hersheypark is 13 roller-coasters, an array of kiddie rides, plenty of water slides, and several other rides, all for you to enjoy and have yourself a gala time. And it’s a no-brainer that the park is chocolate-themed! Head-butt one of those Kisses chocolate-shaped mascots or click a picture with the Hershey’s bar-man. Head to one of their ginormous chocolate stores and fill your pockets with as many Hershey’s chocolates as you like!
Hersheypark
Address: 100 W. Hersheypark Drive, Hershey, PA 17033
Website: Hersheypark
Opening hours: May - Aug: 10am - 10pm (daily) (Check website for varying timings in other months)
Price: 45 USD
7. Dutch Wonderland
Primarily for kids, Dutch Wonderland amusement park boasts of being a ‘Kingdom for Kids’ and truly it is. Step through its castle-like entrance and you’ll find yourself amid the most delightful atmosphere. Everything is pint-sized. Right from kid-friendly, self-driven cars to sweeping merry-go-rounds and refreshing boat rides to gripping trapeze swings, this tropical-themed waterpark has just about everything to grip your little ones’ attention. There are even life-like dinosaurs to rivet your kids here; just head to the Exploration Island.
Dutch Wonderland
Address: 2249 Lincoln Hwy E, Lancaster, PA 17602
Website: Dutch Wonderland
Opening hours: 10am - 8:30pm (daily)
Price: 30 - 45 USD
8. Sesame Place
How about spending a day having a whale of a time in the company of Elmo, the Cookie Monster, Zoe, Oscar the Grouch, Bert and Ernie, or the Big Bird? Head to this children’s theme and water park and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into your television screens and into the sets of the Sesame Street, the classic TV show for children. Don’t worry, parents/caretakers, you’ll also be amply entertained. There are some rides and roller coasters for everyone here! The interactive shows held here have been touted to interest the kids quite a bit, so do attend them.
Sesame Place
Address: 100 Sesame Rd, Langhorne, PA 19047
Website: Sesame Place
Opening hours: Mon - Thur: 10am - 6pm; Fri: 10am - 7pm; Sat - Sun: 10am - 8pm
Price: Varies seasonally
9. Kennywood
What opened its doors as a mere ‘trolley park’ is now a sprawling amusement park with a quirky mix of 50 vintage and contemporary rides in total. Hop on to their Phantom’s Revenge hypercoaster or the vintage Jack Rabbit and experience the adrenaline rushing to your bones! Kiddieland, as the name suggests, is where you might head with kids. Else, there’s Volcano Valley, Steelers Country, Lost Kennywood, or Thomas Town, all of which are differently themed areas, but equally interesting.
Kennywood
Address: 4800 Kennywood Blvd, West Mifflin, PA 15122, USA
Website: Kennywood
Opening hours: 10:30am - 10pm (daily)
10. Waldameer
Another gift of the 19th century, Waldameer is thrill rides, roller coasters, kiddie rides, family rides, and water swings that you’ll find in one place. However, it is famous for its Ravine Flyer II wooden roller coaster, which induces all the scary feels of a so-called rickety roller coaster. However, fret not, the ride is sturdy as a rock, the ‘ricketiness’ is just a play. Also, what’s awesome about this place is that they follow an a-la-carte payment system – the 'Wally Card’ – so you pay only for the rides you hitch!
Waldameer
Address: 220 Peninsula Dr, Millcreek Township, PA
Website: Waldameer
Opening hours: 12pm - 12am (daily)
The land of amusement
While these and some other theme and amusement parks still run in Pennsylvania, did you know that the city was once home to more than 50 of them and all of them were operational at the same time! Hard to believe, right? Guess Florida has not always been the title holder. Head to these top theme parks and amusement parks in Pennsylvania, USA, and have yourself a merry time too!
History
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