10 Best Amusement Parks

July 16, 2010, By William Browning 7 comments

The great American pastime of going to an amusement park during the summer is alive and well. Take your family to one of these 10 parks that are well worth the drive, whether you like fast roller coasters or just a leisurely day playing with the kids.

1. Silver Dollar City. A mainstay of the music resort city of Branson, Mo., this park celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2010. If you need a break from the roller coasters and other rides, you can sit and listen to all varieties of live music including bluegrass, country and gospel. There is delicious food made in huge kettles, Marvel Cave to explore and craftspeople who have perfected the arts of woodcarving, weaving and pottery making. There is also a section for younger children's rides such as a merry-go-round and a tree house to explore. For really hot days, there is also a water-themed area in which to get soaked.

2. Kings Dominion. Tucked away among the battlefields of eastern Virginia is Kings Dominion. This year the attraction for younger kids is Planet Snoopy, where your kids can meet Snoopy and the gang from Peanuts. If you love fast rides, Intimidator 305 is the newest roller coaster to hit the park. There are 15 thrill rides in all, the most famous being the side-by-side wooden roller coaster the Rebel Yell. The unique fun continues with the main attraction, a 275-foot replica of the Eiffel Tower. You can take an elevator up to the top and see the entire park from there. Other family choices include a new Ferris wheel and cars you can "drive" along a scenic route.

3. Mall of America. The Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn., is the largest in the United States. There is even an indoor theme park with several rides that have been redone over the past couple of years. In Nickelodeon Universe, there are rides for "Spongebob Squarepants," "Avatar: The Last Airbender" and "The Fairly Oddparents." As with any good amusement park, Nickelodeon Universe has faster rides for older people and a kids section for younger attendees with rides for "Dora the Explorer" and "The Backyardigans." If you want to get wet, there is also an indoor water park separate from the amusement park.

4. Holiday World. If you love Christmas, you and your family will love Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana. Even though Christmas is celebrated year-round, the rides are certainly geared toward warm weather and summer fun. New this year is the Wildebeest, billed as the world's longest water roller coaster. There are three roller coasters, all of which are wooden for traditional thrills and spills. For younger children there is plenty to do, too. Take a ride on a train through the park, drive through the historic Lewis and Clark trail, or ride the bumper cars. There is a great tree house to play in as well with slides, ladders and places to run around in. Water rides abound and seem to be the specialty as you can race, plunge, or just get soaked on more than a dozen water-themed attractions.