The thread about WDW got me thinking about smaller amusement parks vs the larger ones. I love smaller amusement parks - the carnival food, the fun rides, the people watching, the more relaxed atmosphere, etc.

I grew up in Santa Cruz going to the Boardwalk and the Giant Dipper is still my all time favorite ride even though I have been on it probably 1000 times. When I was a kid, we would routinely go on 50+ times in one day

So I was just wondering, what are some of your favorite smaller amusement parks?

Wild Adventures, Valdosta, GA.

Cypress Gardens is very nice, near WDW. It has all the fun rides, the food, the gardens, and little or no lines.

My nickname in college was "Magic Mountain". That count? O

Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, TN.

Arnolds Park, Okoboji, Iowa. Has a lakeside wooden coaster - awesome!

Seabreeze in Rochester, NY.

www.seabreeze.com

Bland Park in Tipton, PA. No, really.

Lesourdsville Lake in Southwest Ohio.

Kennywood Park in Pittsburgh PA. Lovely park, lots of landscaping, pretty good rides, a large well known wooden coaster (The Thunderbolt), nice little lake at the center, all the usual yummy junk foods and more.

Kennywood is great.

Lakeside Amusement Park in Denver. It's like stepping back in time.

AL

Canobie Lake Park in Salem, NH. Especially at night - feels very 1940s to me.

Playland, Rye NY

Those sound like some great parks.

I just discovered Lakeside in Denver last summer. I think it's celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The art deco style combined with all the neon lights and vintage rides, including one of the smoooooothest classic coasters I've ridden, make this place a real find. Go at night for the best experience.

Another vote for Kennywood, best amusement park in the world!

Kennywood Park, Pittsburgh, PA

Rye Playland, Rye, NY

Holiday World in Santa Clause IN. Took my kids there year before last. Even my then 11 year old daughter loved it. Cleanest park I have ever been to. The drinks are free and the price is upbeatable.