No summer would ever be complete without a trip to an amusement park, one of the most common, most quintessential, and, frankly, most fun items on any vacation's agenda. From towering roller-coasters to sugary snow-cones, amusement parks have it all, ensuring that you and your family will make a memory you'll treasure forever.
In honor of that, we have listed, below, the top 5 amusement parks in the country, places that you and your family should be sure to visit as soon as you go out on your next big trip.
5. Universal Orlando, Orlando, Florida
The first item on the list, Universal Orlando just keeps getting better with age. From giant new thrillers like Transformers: The Ride, to more low-key entertainment like the massive, newly-constructed Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Orlando has something for everybody, making sure the whole family stays entertained throughout their time at the park. Just don't expect to beat the crowds: this park is one of the most visited in the entire world.
4. Kings Island, Mason, Ohio
Looking for a place with a more Midwestern feel. Look no farther than Kings Island, one of the most traditional parks in the country. Indeed, from its towering roller-coasters to its plethora of shows, displays, and exhibitions, Kings Island has a diversity almost unmatched in other traditional amusement parks. The newly-installed Banshee, the largest inverted roller-coaster in the world, is particularly worth seeing, as is Snoopy Island, the thirteen-years-running winner of the "Best Kids Area" in the periodical Amusement Today. In short, if you're willing to travel into the heart of Southern Ohio, Kings Island will be sure to make your trip worth it.
3. Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, Virginia
Perhaps the most attractive item on the list, Busch Gardens in Virginia is one amusement park that everyone should go to at least once in their lives. Indeed, the scope and thematic continuity of Busch Gardens is unprecedented: each section is represented as a different European country, making you feel, as you walk between the stores, roller-coasters, and thrill-rides, as if you're exploring the world. The attractions aren't half-bad either, with "Apollo's Chariot" receiving top marks by the Travel Channel among others.
2. Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio
The best item on the list for pure thrills, Cedar Point has been voted the best straight amusement park by more periodicals than we can list. And the park has earned that title in spades. With over seventeen roller-coasters, including the notorious Top-Thrill Dragster, once the fastest and tallest ride in the country, Cedar Point is sure to keep you hanging on the edge of your seat, offering an adrenaline rush that no other place in the country can match. That, in combination with award-winning shows and food, makes this the perfect place for the average American family to go, and one of the best parks in the country.
1. Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida
However, the number one spot is reserved for something a little more iconic. While Cedar Point may lead the list in thrills, Walt Disney World really is the happiest place on earth, with an unmatched emphasis on family, immersiveness, and good, old-fashioned, fun. With four different parks to choose from (including, of course, the Magic Kingdom), the mere breadth and size of Disney confirms is place at the top of the list, offering both the largest and the best amusement park experience in the country. And for that reason, it is absolutely the park you should visit with your family this upcoming year, and the vacation experience you'll never forget.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
