10 Best Theme Parks in the United States

The prototype of the modern theme park, Walt Disney World, endures with its enduring magical spirit, which has been attracting millions of visitors since its opening day in 1971. The resort’s four parks are Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, with two water parks, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Disney’s Blizzard Beach. The entire Walt Disney World resort encompasses more than 280 things to do, including 50 rides, multiple shows, parades, character meet-and-greets, and two nightly firework shows (Disney World: Happily Ever After at Magic Kingdom and Luminous: The Symphony of Us at EPCOT). The My Disney Experience app is better than most other theme park apps. Bring a backup battery, as you’ll be using the app frequently to plan your day, sign up for virtual queues, and save time by mobile ordering food and drinks. Opt for the Lightning Lane Multi Pass (price varies by park and by day) and you’ll have access to pre-book up to three Lightning Lane experiences in a park to cut down on your wait times drastically. You’ll also get access to your digital photos and videos of select attractions, often capturing you at your best on each ride.

The Can’t-Miss Ride of the Park: Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance in Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Already a favorite for Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Universal Epic Universe is the triumphant new park joining the resort this summer. Epic Universe is a marvel of scope and scale, encompassing five distinct worlds: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, Dark Universe, and Celestial Park. The new park will draw crowds for decades to come with its meticulous attention to detail; you’ll feel like you’re Mario exploring Super Nintendo World and like you’re in 1920s Paris in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic. Over at Islands of Adventure, Jurassic World VelociCoaster reigns supreme as one of the best roller coasters ever built. For a more relaxed thrill, Universal Studios Florida’s The Bourne Stuntacular is an exhilarating next-generation stunt show. Complete with three world-class theme parks and its Universal Volcano Bay, Universal Studios Resort now deserves a week-long family getaway.

The Can’t-Miss Ride of the Park: Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic

Disneyland is escapism at its best, transporting millions each year to its signature bygone era charms and immersive storytelling wonders. The park’s legacy dates back to its celebrated 1955 grand opening, when Walt Disney pioneered a park where everyone, regardless of age, could find joy and make lasting memories. Disney’s vision is held sacred, with an incredible ongoing operation of team members that instills that all are welcome and accommodated. Disneyland celebrates its 70th Anniversary this year, maintaining its initial spirit with a staggering lineup of nine attractions from the opening day that are still in operation today. Those attractions include the Disneyland Railroad, Autopia, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, Peter Pan’s Flight, Snow White’s Scary Adventures, the Jungle Cruise, the Mad Tea Party, Alice in Wonderland, and King Arthur Carousel. Add in the expansive themed worlds of Disney California Adventure Park (which include the picture-perfect Cars Land and the playfully Victorian boardwalks of Pixar Pier) and you have more than 50 attractions from high-speed roller coasters to full-scale production shows and a nightly fireworks spectacular.

The Can’t-Miss Ride of the Park: Radiator Springs Racers at Disney California Adventure

Cedar Point is the definitive Roller Coaster Capital of the World with its roster of 19 roller coasters. This summer will be a busy one at the park as the hotly anticipated debut of Top Thrill 2 will drive crowds, along with Siren’s Curse, the all-new tilt coaster. Top Thrill 2 is a new reimagining of Top Thrill Dragster, now with three high-speed launches that rocket the train between two 420-foot-tall towers. Steel Vengeance is the park’s signature coaster, holding records for being the world’s fastest and longest hybrid roller coaster. The ride is smooth yet fierce as you barrel through four inversions and more than 30 airtime moments. This summer marks the 25th season of Millennium Force, a steel giga coaster still very much in its prime as it reaches speeds up to 93 mph, darting through the park. Plan to spend at least two days here, as the number of things to do can be overwhelming.  

The Can’t-Miss Ride of the Park: Steel Vengeance

Part theme park, part zoo, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay shines as a top roller coaster destination in Florida. Iron Gwazi is the main attraction here, North America’s tallest, steepest, and fastest hybrid coaster. You’ll be pulled through an unrelenting track filled with a dozen airtime moments and three intense inversions. Cheetah Hunt is the other marquee coaster here. This steel-launched roller coaster wows as it simulates the speed and agility of a cheetah on the hunt. First, climbing up to the treetops, then on the prowl, racing atop a babbling brook through a rocky gorge. Try to schedule your visit during one of the park’s annual festivals, notably its Halloween and Christmas celebrations, which showcase the park’s best food and entertainment.

The Can’t-Miss Ride of the Park: Cheetah Hunt

It’s Dolly Parton’s world, and we’re all fortunate enough to be able to ride roller coasters in it. Set in the rolling green hills of the Smoky Mountains, Dollywood is a destination theme park honoring the legendary country singer. Fans of the iconic diva will delight in the many ways her story and song catalog are brought to life throughout the park, most notably at The Dolly Parton Experience. This interactive museum traces Dolly’s story from her humble beginnings, located just miles from the park to her meteoric rise to fame. This park boasts some of the best live music performances you’ll see at a theme park, with daily schedules featuring soul-stirring music acts and large-scale production shows. The park’s thrilling coasters are the main draw for theme park enthusiasts. Lightning Rod is the go-to roller coaster of the park, with its wild, bucking ride that is unrelenting in force. This park also features great family launch coasters, including the Big Bear Mountain and FireChaser Express. No trip to Dollywood is complete without enjoying the park’s wildly popular Cinnamon Bread, which is available at the park’s Grist Mill and Spotlight Bakery. Avoid the long lines by dropping in to DreamMore Resort’s DM Pantry, which sells the same sweet, buttery loaf.

The Can’t-Miss Ride of the Park: Lightning Rod

Hersheypark deserves its place as a top theme park destination with its commitment to immersive themes, an excellent roller coaster lineup, and the most robust theme park accommodations in the Northeast. The park is within a three-hour drive of Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and New York City, making it an ideal summer weekend getaway. The park dates back to 1906 when the American chocolatier Milton Hershey founded a leisure park for his chocolate factory employees. Nearly 120 years later, Hersheypark is home to 70 rides and attractions, including 14 roller coasters. Most notably, the park is home to Wildcat’s Revenge, winner of the Golden Ticket Award for Best New Coaster of 2023. Skyrush is the park’s tallest and fastest coaster, and its new restraints have drastically changed the ride experience for the better. Regardless of whether you’re staying at The Hotel Hershey, drop by and explore the property’s stunning Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. The Iberian Lounge is the place to be, especially with a Hershey’s Kiss Chocolate Martini in hand.

The Can’t-Miss Ride of the Park: Wildcat’s Revenge

Silver Dollar City is your favorite roller coaster lover’s favorite theme park. This 1880s-themed amusement park is the main attraction in Branson, a town renowned for its diverse array of attractions. The Ozark Park’s origins date back to 1894, when the first public tours of the large-scale Marvel Cave began. Silver Dollar City was founded atop Marvel Cave in 1960 and has since grown to encompass over 40 rides and attractions, including seven roller coasters. The Marvel Cave tours remain a highlight of the park, typically departing every half hour and included with your park ticket. You’ve never experienced a roller coaster like Time Traveler, the world’s fastest, steepest, and tallest spinning coaster. Right out of the station, you’re plunged down an intense 10-story, 90-degree vertical drop, all while spinning. The spinning feature on the ride is free-wheeling yet well-controlled, allowing you to experience the disorienting thrills of the track without feeling sick. The park does holidays exceptionally well, especially its Halloween and Christmas festivities.

The Can’t-Miss Ride of the Park: Time Traveler

Six Flags Magic Mountain is one of the most popular roller coaster parks in the world, home to 19 roller coasters. There are so many coasters here worth mentioning, it’s remarkable they all share the same park gate. Notably, the park is home to Full Throttle, the tallest and fastest looping roller coaster in the world, and Wonder Woman Flight of Courage is the world’s longest and tallest single-rail coaster. The first coaster you’ll see as you drive up to the park is X2, a 360-degree rotating seat fourth-dimension coaster that is only advisable for the most adventurous members of the group. Prioritize a ride on Twisted Colossus, the dueling hybrid coaster that sends you out for two runs on its perimeter-hugging, intertwined track. The highlights here are the tracks’ increasing interactivity and playfulness, particularly with the “High Five” and “Top Gun Stall” elements.

The Can’t-Miss Ride of the Park: Full Throttle

A hidden gem in the heart of Pennsylvania, Knoebels is a family-owned and operated theme park that’s been delighting parkgoers since 1926. The park is the country’s largest free admission theme park, offering a charming blend of nostalgia and modern thrills. The roller coasters here are magnificent and rank high on lists of many theme park enthusiasts. Just one ride on the Phoenix will show you why it’s on just about every top ten list. This classic wooden coaster, introduced to the park in 1985, offers a smooth and fast ride that culminates in a remarkable finishing sequence of hills, featuring some of the world’s greatest airtime moments. There’s also Flying Turns, the beautiful wooden bobsled roller coaster, designed and built on the premises. A day at Knoebels is not complete without a marathon of sampling all the good food. The park is renowned for its homemade, comforting fair food, including the Pork Chop on a Stick, Cheese on a Stick, and a delectable Apple Dumpling, which you’ve got to get à la mode.

The Can’t-Miss Ride of the Park: Phoenix