You cannot find more family-friendly daredevil thrills and gentler rides than in the USA and Canada. Here is a list of some of the best amusement and water parks in North America (diplomatically listed in alphabetical order):
Canada’s Wonderland, Ontario
The first major park in Canada has nearly a dozen coasters amongst its 250 rides, including the nations biggest, the Behemoth, plus fun thematic areas like Medieval Europe.
Cedar Point, Ohio
Nothing can beat Sandusky’s Cedar Point when it comes to freefall thrills. Here you’ll find the world’s greatest roller coasters, 18 in all, including the world’s third fastest a 420-ft drop aboard the Top Thrill or the 95-degree incline of the Maverick, as well as a beach and water park.
Knoebels Amusement Park, Pennsylvania
Knoebels, located in north-central Pennsylvania is a real shoestringer’s delight and is one of America’s best throwbacks, offering free admission and bargain tickets for individual rides.
Noah’s Ark, Wisconsin
Noah’s Ark Family Park is America’s largest water park, with half a hundred water slides, a couple of rivers to float, an island ‘playzone’ for the whippersnappers, a ‘haunted water ride’ called the Curse of the Crypt and many other attractions. Located in the city of Wisconsin Dells, also known as the “Water Park Capital of the World, Noah’s Ark is a popular tourist attraction.
Schlitterbahn Waterpark, Texas
The best of the four-park chain of Schlitterbahn is in New Braunfels, Texas. Borrowing some Bavarian castle motifs from a certain Walt, the 65-acre park situated along the river has 40 rides including speed slides, tube chutes, activity pools and a wave river to float down.
Six Flags Great Adventure, New Jersey
Home to the tallest and fastest roller coaster in America, Six Flags serves the millions of residents of the New York area. If you’re not very much interested in hardcore adventures, there’s a Wild Safari zoo and a 15-storey Ferris wheel.
Universal Studios Hollywood, Los Angeles
In the hub of Hollywood, is this movie-based theme park with a mix of entertaining thrill rides including The Simpsons and the 80-ft raft drop of Jurassic Park, plus the action-packed tram tours of the studio back.
Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom, Florida
The Magic Kingdom – one of several Disney parks, including MGM Studios and Epcot – is the heart of central Florida trips. The pre–Johnny Depp Pirates of the Caribbean, the nightmarishly looped recording of ‘It’s a Small World’ and the indoor coaster at Space Mountain are timeless.
