The best theme parks in the US – the ultimate guide

The first theme park in the USA opened way back in 1846, and our infatuation with rollercoasters, cotton candy, and waterslides has only grown since then. In the last 170 years, the number of theme parks in the USA has risen from one to over 400 – more than any other country in the world!

Whether it’s a day out to celebrate your child’s birthday or a week-long trip with your friends, America offers the perfect theme park for you to let your hair down in. Yet with so many parks to choose from – and factors including travel time, climates, and variable prices – planning an amusement park trip can seem like a daunting process.

To help visitors understand the options available to them across the country, we’ve researched and created a definitive USA theme park index. Using data from 65 theme parks across 30 different states, we’ve collated some vital information you should know before diving headfirst into your visit. You can read about our methodology here.

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The top 10 US theme parks by visitor numbers

When it comes to sheer visitor numbers, two states dominate the top 10. Put together, the best theme parks in Florida and California attract more than 135 million visitors a year! It’s no surprise to see Disney parks high up on this list, with blockbuster theme parks like Florida’s Magic Kingdom Park and California’s Disneyland Park among the country’s most-visited attractions. In fact, Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park is the most visited theme park on the planet.

Many of the most popular theme parks are in Orlando, Florida, where tourists can enjoy a whole host of other world-class attractions and shows, plus fun themed restaurants and epic vacation homes with incredible pools and game rooms.

Theme park name	State	Annual visitors
Magic Kingdom Park	Florida	20,859,000
Disneyland Park / Disneyland Resort	California	18,666,000
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park	Florida	13,750,000
Epcot	Florida	12,444,000
Disney’s Hollywood Studios	Florida	11,258,000
Universal Studios Florida	Florida	10,708,000
Disney California Adventure Park	California	9,861,000
Universal’s Islands of Adventure	Florida	9,788,000
Universal Studios Hollywood	California	9,147,000
Knott’s Berry Farm	California	4,238,000

The best theme parks for rollercoasters

Theme parks really do have something for everyone. Where some people’s favorite theme park activity is indulging in delicious snacks, meeting characters, or cooling down on a water ride, others simply seek to get their heart rate up thanks to some of the wildest thrills on offer.

If you’re visiting an American theme park, you’re never short of thrill rides to satisfy your craving. Whether you’re interested in big drops or crazy spins, buckle up and head to one of these death-defying locations.

The top 10 US theme parks for rollercoasters and thrill rides

Theme park name	State	Number of thrill rides
Cedar Point Amusement Park	Ohio	35
Carowinds	North Carolina	21
Knoebels Amusement Park	Pennsylvania	21
Kings Island	Ohio	20
Six Flags Magic Mountain	California	20
Six Flags New England	Massachusetts	20
Six Flags Great Adventure	New Jersey	19
Kennywood	Pennsylvania	18
Luna Park	New York	18
Six Flags Fiesta Texas	Texas	18

Cedar Point Amusement Park, Ohio

Cedar Point is often referred to as the roller coaster capital of the world, so it seems fitting it should make the top spot on this list. Out of the 72 rides, you can enjoy at this park, 35 of them are thrill rides, ranging from coasters to slingshots to rocking boats to water rapids.

According to Cedar Point, 5 of these rides are considered to be of a maximum thrill level, perfect for those of you seeking out the ultimate adventure. And don’t worry — 23 of these heart-racing rides have a FastPass system, so there’s no reason you can’t try them all.

Knoebels Amusement Park & Carowinds, North Carolina

These next two theme parks are tied, with both of them providing thrill-seeking visitors with 21 thrill rides each. Knoebels may be considered a park for all ages, but that doesn’t mean the thrill-seekers in the family will leave disappointed. Out of the 21 thrill rides on the property, 10 are labeled as “intense”, so you’ll have plenty of rides to entertain you – even while the kids are taken care of with milder attractions.

Carowinds is equally certain to get your pulse racing, with classics that will spin you, drop you, and swing you ‘til you’re screaming with joy. 11 of the 21 thrill rides at this park are considered high or maximum thrill, and nearly all of them are valid for the park’s FastPass system.

King’s Island, Ohio

An incredible 12 rides out of 20 are considered high-thrill at King’s Island, with the fastest ride experience in the park being Slingshot. This high-adrenaline experience catapults guests 275 feet into the air, approaching a dizzying 100 mph.

Six Flags New England, Massachusetts

Six Flags New England is the oldest park in the Six Flags chain, but that certainly doesn’t prevent it from delivering when it comes to thrills. If your heart isn’t already racing thanks to the countless loops that characterize these rides, then perhaps the impressively themed and gut-wrenching Batman The Dark Knight ride will do the trick. Amongst the numerous thrill rides to choose from, some even hold the honor of being record breakers, so that drop will feel even more exciting.

Six Flags Magic Mountain, California

At Six Flags Magic Mountain, you’ll find all your favorites that you’d expect from the renowned Six Flags chain, plus some unique thrills to keep you coming back for more. In the last few years, West Coast Racers, the world’s first racing launch coaster has opened. Here, two side-by-side tracks with four individual high-speed launches will allow riders to experience a genuine race-like experience, complete with a pit stop – an absolute must-see for any thrill enthusiast.

Six Flags Great Adventure, New Jersey

It’s another Six Flags classic for our final pick, this time in the New York/New Jersey area. Great Adventure provides thrill seekers with 19 rides to choose from, including some one-of-a-kind ride systems that have been pioneers in their respective fields; standouts include Cyborg Cyber Spin, a first-of-its-kind, 7-story high anti-gravity thrill ride. This park combines all the classic thrill ride systems we know and love with impressive theming, as well as the technological advances that make these experiences extra special.

The top 10 fastest rides in the US

Ride and location	State	Top speed
Kingda Ka, Six Flags Great Adventure	New Jersey	128 mph
Top Thrill Dragster, Cedar Point	Ohio	120 mph
Superman: Escape From Krypton, Six Flags Ma	California	104 mph
Fury 235, Carowinds	North Carolina	95 mph
Millennium Force, Cedar Point	Ohio	93 mph
Intimidator 305	Virginia	90 mph
Titan, Arlington	Texas	85 mph
Phantom’s Revenge, Kennywood	Pennsylvania	85 mph
Goliath, Six Flags Magic Mountain	California	85 mph
The Xcelerator, Knotts Berry Farm	California	82 mph

The top 10 tallest rides in the US

Ride and location	State	Height
Kingda Ka, Six Flags Great Adventure	New Jersey	456 ft
Top Thrill Dragster, Cedar Point	Ohio	420 ft
Superman: Escape From Krypton, Six Flags Ma	California	415 ft
Fury 235, Carowinds	North Carolina	325 ft
Millennium Force, Cedar Point	Ohio	310 ft
Intimidator 305	Virginia	305 ft
Titan, Arlington	Texas	245 ft
Goliath, Six Flags Magic Mountain	California	235 ft
Intimidator, Carowinds	North Carolina	232 ft
Diamondback, Kings Island	Ohio	230 ft

The best theme parks for great weather

If your idea of a good time is getting wet on a water ride rather than getting caught in a spontaneous thunderstorm, you’ll want to head for the Golden Coast. Unsurprisingly, three of our four picks for sunshine enthusiasts are in California, all of them boasting some of the lowest rainfall in the country. Which one will be your top pick this season?

The top 10 driest US theme parks

Theme park name	State	Rainy days per year
Knott’s Berry Farm	California	32
Six Flags Magic Mountain	California	34
Disneyland Park / Disneyland Resort	California	35
Disney California Adventure Park	California	35
Castles ‘n’ Coasters	Arizona	37
Legoland California Resort	California	38
Seaworld San Diego	California	38
Cliff’s Amusement Park	New Mexico	57
California’s Great America	California	63
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom	California	65

Knott’s Berry Farm, California

At number one we have Knott’s Berry Farm, located in Buena Park, California. With only 32 days of rainfall each year, there is very little chance of your trip getting ruined with a spontaneous shower. This is thought to be the USA’s first-ever theme park, so you’ll be experiencing a slice of American history while you soak in the California sun.

Six Flags Magic Mountain, California

Six Flags Magic Mountain boasts as little as 34 annual days of rainfall a year and draws in visitors from all over the world. However, if you feel the need to make a splash, Santa Clarita is also home to the adjacent water park, Hurricane Harbour.

Disneyland Resort and Disney California Adventure, California

Tied for third place are the Disney Parks in Anaheim, which receive a total of just 35 annual days of rainfall. While these theme parks may be smaller than their Floridian counterparts, visitors are almost guaranteed good weather every day of the year, so make sure to load up on the sunscreen.

Castles ‘N Coasters, Arizona

Heading over to California’s next-door neighbor for our final pick, we have Castles ‘N Coasters in sunny Phoenix. It may be located in the Sonoran Desert, but that hasn’t stopped Phoenix from becoming one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the state, including this 10-acre theme park. With only 37 annual rainfall days in this part of the state, visitors certainly won’t need to pack their umbrellas for this trip.

What about the rainiest theme parks?

If you’re visiting one of these theme parks, you might want to bring a poncho and an umbrella. These places get more rain than most other theme parks in the USA!

Theme park name	State	Rainy days per year
Santa’s Village	New Hampshire	163
Darien Lake Theme Park Resort	New York	149
Kennywood	Pennsylvania	145
Story Land	New Hampshire	140
Enchanted Forest Theme Park	Oregon	133
Canobie Lake Park	New Hampshire	132
Dollywood	Tennessee	129
The Great Escape	New York	127
Cedar Point Amusement Park	Ohio	125
Silverwood Theme Park	Idaho	125

The best theme parks for repeat visits

America’s theme parks offer fun-packed, exhilarating experiences that will make you want to go back again and again. However, there’s no getting away from the fact that a theme park holiday can be expensive, whether it’s with a group of friends or a family affair.

If you just can’t stand the idea of visiting your favorite theme park just once a year, then investing in an annual or season pass can be the most affordable way to sustain your thrill fix.

The best US theme parks for repeat visits

Theme park name	State	Season pass price (USD; rounded to the nearest dollar)
Six Flags St Louis	Missouri	50
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom	California	50
Six Flags Over Georgia	Georgia	55
The Great Escape	New York	55
Six Flags America	Maryland	60
Kentucky Kingdom	Kentucky	65
Elitch Gardens Theme Park	Colorado	65
California’s Great America	California	69
Darien Lake Theme Park Resort	New York	70
Magic Springs	Arkansas	75

Awesome theme parks for kids’ rides

Most American theme parks are family-friendly, but there are a few that give little ones extra special treatment. Two theme parks stand out when it comes to kids’ rides, and both are in Pennsylvania. Hersheypark and Knoebels Amusement Park both offer 22 child-friendly rides.

Which US theme parks have the most kids’ rides?

Theme park name	State	Number of kids’ rides
Hersheypark	Pennsylvania	22
Knoebels Amusement Park	Pennsylvania	22
Disneyland Park / Disneyland Resort	California	21
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom	California	21
Lake Compounce	Connecticut	20
Silverwood Theme Park	Idaho	20
Santa’s Village	New Hampshire	20
Kings Island	Ohio	19
Kings Dominion	Virginia	19
Canobie Lake Park	New Hampshire	18

Fantastic theme parks for seasonal celebrations

Theme parks across America go all out for seasonal celebrations. Whether is sprinkling a little extra magic at Christmas or ramping up the fear factor at Halloween, parks across the country really get into the seasonal spirit. Here are our top picks for theme parks that are extra special at Christmas and Halloween.

Which US theme parks are best for Christmas vacations?

Theme park name	State
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter	Orlando
Busch Gardens	Orlando
Disneyland Park / Disneyland Resort	California
Dollywood	Tennessee
Hersheypark	Pennsylvania
Kennywood	Pennsylvania
Kings Island	Ohio
Knotts Berry Farm	California
Legoland	Florida
Sesame Place	Pennsylvania

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Studios, Orlando

Christmastime at the Wizarding World is, in a word, magical. The already spectacular park is decked out in festive decor, snow blankets the buildings in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, and Hogwarts is lit up in a spectacular winter light show. Look out for festive exclusives such as hot butterbeer and limited edition Christmas merch in the stores.

Busch Gardens, Orlando

Every year, Busch Gardens transforms into Christmas Town, a whimsical place where all your festive dreams come true. Twinkling Christmas lights, a cozy festive village with food, drink,s and gifts, ice skating, fireworks, and thrilling rides. What more could you want from a Christmas theme park adventure?

Disneyland California

If there’s one place that knows how to put on a Christmas show, it’s Disneyland. Walt Disney’s original California park shines even brighter during the holiday season, with nightly light shows, fireworks, special events, and parades featuring all your festive favorites, including Jolly Old Saint Nick himself. There is also a plethora of limited edition Disney snacks and merchandise to pick up around the holidays.

Dollywood, Tennessee

Dollywood’s festive extravaganza has become known as one of the best in America. During the Smoky Mountains Christmas event, the night sky is illuminated with millions of lights, dancing like fireflies against the inky blue sky. With fun rides, cozy walks down lighted pathways, and irresistible toe-tapping shows, there really is something for everyone to love at Dollywood.

Hersheypark, Pennsylvania

The annual Hersheypark Christmas Candylane event is a hot favorite with festive revelers with a head for heights and sweet tooth. If a candy-themed amusement park already sounds like the most fun place ever, wait until you see the extra merriment that Hersheyland cooks up for Christmas. More than 5 million lights illuminate the park, tempting visitors onto thrilling rollercoasters. Festive dining experiences are, of course, a pretty sweet deal at Hersheyland, and there’s even an annual stopover by a certain jolly fellow and his 9 reindeer.

Kennywood, Pennsylvania

Savor the season with a family-oriented holiday event at Kennywood. Rides, thrills, and spills for young and old alike are dressed in Christmassy lights and decor, with tempting seasonal food and drink offering a well-deserved break from all that adrenaline. Carol performances from local choirs give the whole event a classical, cozy ambiance, and attractions such as The Holiday Lights Show, Parker’s Dance Party, and Doc Dixon’s Magic Show make Kennywood at Christmas one of the hottest tickets in town.

Kings Island, Ohio

Holiday nostalgia is the name of the game at Kings Island. Christmas traditions, including carolers dressed in vintage clothing, ice skating under thousands of twinkling lights, and the tempting aroma of mulled wine and cookies drifting through the crisp air. Kings Island is a magical place where the Christmas memories of the past make beautiful family memories you’ll remember forever.

Knotts Berry Farm, California

Knotts Berry Farm creates a festive wonderland at Christmas, becoming Knotts Merry Farm. ‘Tis the season for fun, and Knotts Berry Farm goes all out, with festive performances, ice skating, irresistible seasonal food, and enchanting Christmas experiences for the whole family.

Legoland, Orlando

Legoland at Christmas is a brick-tacular event featuring all the best parts of Christmas reimagined in Lego. An enormous Lego Christmas tree is the centerpiece of the festivities and events including exciting shows, character experiences, and tasty treats make Legoland a family favorite during the holidays.

Sesame Place, Pennsylvania

Join your favorite Sesame Street characters for an unforgettable experience at the annual ‘A Very Furry Christmas’ event. Chow down on a festive feast with Elmo, dance around the 30-foot tree to your favorite holiday tunes, or visit Santa in his ‘Furry Workshop’.

Spooktacular theme parks in America for celebrating Halloween

Theme park name	State
Kings Island	Ohio
Busch Gardens	Virginia
Busch Gardens	Florida
Silver Dollar City	Missouri
Knoebels	Pennsylvania
Six Flags Magic Mountain	California
Dollywood	Tennessee
Hersheypark	Pennsylvania
Universal Studios	California

Kings Island, Ohio

Voted by USA Today readers as ‘The Best Theme Park Halloween Event’, Kings Island conjures up a terrifying immersive experience every spooky season. The park is transformed into a horrifying world of scares, mazes, and events, with nightmarish monsters stalking the pathways. The biggest and best rides at Kings Island are also open on Halloween event nights, just in case you’re not scared enough! The Kings Island Halloween Haunt events are for mature audiences and are not suitable for those under 13.

Busch Gardens, Virginia and Orlando

Busch Garden’s annual Howl-O-Scream event is the biggest Halloween attraction in Virginia, one of the most popular in Orlando, and certainly doesn’t skimp on the scares. Find yourself in a frightening haunted park, running for your life from horrifying ghouls, ghosts, and monsters in this immersive experience, featuring costumed characters, rides, and mazes. One for older guests, the event contains mature themes and effects.

Silver Dollar City, Missouri

If you’re not a fan of blood, gore, and ghouls, or perhaps you want a family-friendly Fall festival, never fear, because Silver Dollar City hosts a non-frightful Harvest Festival every year in October. Guests can enjoy the non-spooky side of things with artisanal pumpkin carving, late-night rides, and plenty of cozy Fall-themed events and attractions.

Knoebels, Pennsylvania

Another top pick for Halloween fun for families is Knoebels. The whole thing has an amusingly spooky atmosphere, but no scares or intense frights to spook the little ones too much. Rides for all ages are open late into the night, and Halloween-themed snacks are available for some gentle ghoulish glee.

Six Flags Magic Mountain, California

One of the biggest Halloween events in the world, the Fright Fest at Six Flags Magic Mountain is a top pick for fans of the spooky season. By day, the park offers family-friendly chills and spills, but once the sun sets, the true terrors come out to hunt. The nighttime Fright Fest is for mature guests, with terrifying scare zones and horrifying haunted attractions.

Dollywood, Tennessee

Another one for family-friendly Halloween adventures, Dollywood during the Fall is a cozy and fun place, full of intricately-carved pumpkins, rousing music, and delicious spooky treats to delight the whole gang.

Hersheypark, Pennsylvania

Hersheypark goes spooky for Hersheypark In The Dark, an annual event for the whole family to enjoy. Irresistible delights like chocolate trick or treat trails, coasters and rides, and special dining menus make Hersheypark In The Dark the sweetest Halloween event there is.

Universal Studios, California

This is it; the master of Halloween theme park events. We simply could not complete this list without mentioning the iconic Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios. When the sun sets Universal Studios, ghosts, demons, monsters, and nightmares come alive, stalking the trails of the park and terrifying guests. Horrifying, immersive mazes themed around classic and new horror movies are the top attractions here but don’t forget about the rides, performances, and devilishly delicious treats.

The top 10 US theme parks by size

In terms of the total amount of space it takes up, America’s biggest theme park is Disney’s Animal Kingdom, located in Orlando, Florida. But the country’s biggest theme parks aren’t all in the Sunshine State! New Jersey, Idaho, California, and Ohio are all home to at least one huge theme park, while Virginia has two theme parks larger than 380 acres (Kings Dominion and Busch Gardens).

Theme park name	State	Size (acres)
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park	Florida	580
Six Flags Great Adventure	New Jersey	475
Universal Studios Hollywood	California	415
Silverwood Theme Park	Idaho	413
Carowinds	North Carolina	407
Kings Dominion	Virginia	400
Busch Gardens	Virginia	383
Kings Island	Ohio	364
The Great Escape	New York	351
Cedar Point Amusement Park	Ohio	346

The best US states for theme park fans

Wondering which US states have the best selection of theme parks? Well, it’s perhaps no shock to see Florida and California topping the list with 8 and 10 major theme parks respectively. But you might be surprised to see states like Pennsylvania, New York, and New Hampshire appearing high up too! For thrill rides, nowhere beats California.

Which are the 10 best states for theme park fans?

US state	No of major theme parks	Total no of thrill rides
California	10	108
Florida	9	36
Pennsylvania	6	75
New Hampshire	3	12
New Jersey	3	32
New York	3	41
Texas	3	21
Ohio	2	55
Georgia	2	29
Virginia	2	25

The US theme parks with the best dining options

One thing is for sure: if you’re visiting a theme park in the US of A, you won’t be going hungry. Even the smallest theme parks have multiple dining options to choose from, and at some of the bigger attractions, you can expect to find a veritable feast of restaurants, cafés, and bars.

It’s a close tie for the theme park with the best dining options in the USA. One of the first-placed parks is – unsurprisingly – Hersheypark. This candy-themed park in Pennsylvania is home to an incredible 65 places to eat and drink, including food trucks, donut stands, and pizzerias.

Also in the top spot with 65 dining options is Castles ‘n’ Coasters in Arizona. Visitors here can expect everything from tacos and corn dogs to waffles and ice-cream shakes. Yummy!

The US theme parks with the most dining options

Theme park name	State	Number of dining options
Hersheypark	Pennsylvania	65
Cedar Point Amusement Park	Ohio	62
Epcot	Florida	58
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk	California	43
Disney California Adventure Park	California	42
Disneyland Park / Disneyland Resort	California	41
Knoebels Amusement Park	New Mexico	38
Kings Island	Ohio	37
Disney’s Animal Kingdom	Florida	33
Kings Dominion	Virginia	33

Frequently asked questions

How many theme parks are there in the US?

Our research has uncovered a total of 65 major theme parks with rides across the United States of America. This figure doesn’t include more sedate theme parks without rides, or religious-themed attractions like Florida’s Holy Land Experience.

Where are most of the US theme parks located?

It’s a tough race, but California is the US state with the most theme parks. The Golden State has a total of 10 major theme parks, including some of the country’s biggest and most famous – such as Disneyland and Six Flags Magic Mountain. Close behind is Florida, home to 9 major theme parks, many of them in the Orlando area.

What are the most popular theme parks in the US?

According to the latest edition of the Global Attractions Attendance Report, Orlando’s Magic Kingdom Park is the most popular theme park in the US by attendance, followed by Disneyland California.

How many Six Flags theme parks are there in the US?

At the time of writing, there were 27 Six Flags theme parks across the USA. There are also Six Flags theme parks in China, Mexico, Canada, and Saudi Arabia.

How many Disney theme parks are there in the US?

There are a total of six Disney theme parks in the USA, including the 2 Disneyland parks in California and the 4 parks at Disney World in Florida. Additionally, there are several Disney water parks and themed shopping and entertainment areas in Florida.