USA TODAY 10Best
Which theme parks do our readers love the most? Here are the 10 best in the US
Best Theme Park (2024)
North America is home to more than 400 amusement parks and attractions with some 375 million visitors annually, according to the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions. For those looking to plan the perfect theme park vacation, trying to pick which park to visit can potentially be overwhelming.
To help narrow down the options, we asked a panel of experts to nominate their top 20 parks across the country. Then, our readers voted for their favorites. Here are the 10 best theme parks in the United States.
- Cedar Point - Sandusky, Ohio
- Busch Gardens Tampa Bay - Tampa, Florida
- Kennywood - West Mifflin, Pennsylvania
- Busch Gardens Williamsburg - Williamsburg, Virginia
- LEGOLAND California - Carlsbad, California
- Dollywood - Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
- Hersheypark - Hershey, Pennsylvania
- SeaWorld Orlando - Orlando, Florida
- Knoebels - Elysburg, Pennsylvania
- Silver Dollar City - Branson, Missouri
Photo courtesy of Cedar Point
No. 10:
Located on a Lake Erie peninsula in Sandusky, Ohio, Cedar Point bills itself as "the roller coaster capital of the world" with 18 thrilling coasters covering more than 10 miles of track. The park's history dates back to 1870, making it the second-oldest continually operated amusement park on the continent, and it's managed to maintain that classic park feel, complete with a generously sized midway and one of the only operating D.C. Muller carousels in the world.
Photo courtesy of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
No. 9:
While Busch Gardens is most famously known as an amusement park filled with thrill rides, the Tampa location is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and offers abundant animal encounters as well. Between roller coaster rides, visitors can board an open-air touring vehicle on a Serengeti Safari, where it’s possible to spot giraffes, zebras, ostriches, and other African animals living in wide open spaces.
Photo courtesy of Mark Frazee
No. 8:
If you love a theme park with oodles of history and a collection of iconic rides, Kennywood is your place. Witness over 120 years of innovation in classic favorites that include wooden roller coasters like the side-by-side Racer, the intense Thunderbolt, and the circa 1920 Jack Rabbit. Plus, there's an unmatched collection of dark rides like the Old Mill and the last-of-its-kind Noah's Ark, as well as modern thrill rides like the Steel Curtain coaster.
Photo courtesy of Busch Gardens Williamsburg
No. 7:
The European-themed installment of Busch Gardens in Williamsburg transports visitors to England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Germany, and Italy circa 17th century, albeit a rather exciting version of the era, with more than 50 rides and attractions. Busch Gardens Williamsburg frequently ranks among the world's most beautiful theme parks and its thrill ride options are top-notch.
Photo courtesy of Sandy Huffaker
No. 6:
There's a lot more going on than connecting bricks at this theme park in Carlsbad, California, with more than 60 rides and attractions designed for kids ages 2-12. Not to mention, there are entertaining shows and active playgrounds like a rock-climbing wall, and a LEGO brick building zone. Want to create a theme park fan for life? Make LEGOLAND's Coastersaurus or LEGO TECHNIC Coaster their first roller coaster ride, then cool off at the Swabbie's Deck splash area or on the pirate-themed Splash Battle ride.
No. 5:
Tucked amid the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, Dollywood has all the makings of a great theme park: thrill rides, coasters, kiddie rides, and everything in between. Live craft demonstrations, lavish stage shows, and a full calendar of special events mean there's always something going on, and the Southern-inspired food offerings are a cut above the typical theme park fare.
No. 4:
The amusement park of every chocolate lover's dreams, Hersheypark features 121 acres with more than 70 rides (including more than a dozen roller coasters), strolling shows, multiple stages and additional performance areas, a water park, and an 11-acre zoo — all accessible via a single admission. Fahrenheit, one of the park's most popular thrill rides, is a vertical lift coaster with a 121-foot lift followed by a breathtaking 97-degree drop. Candymonium, the park’s tallest, fastest, and longest hyper coaster debuted in 2020.
Photo courtesy of SeaWorld Orlando
No. 3:
Most famous as a marine zoological park, SeaWorld Orlando has made a name for itself in the world of high-octane thrill rides as well, thanks to Manta — one of the only coasters of its kind in the world — and Mako, a hyper coaster with deep dives, high speeds, and thrills aplenty. Young visitors to the park can now walk down Sesame Street and interact with their favorite furry friends.
Photo courtesy of Knoebels Amusement Resort
No. 2:
The pizza at this vintage amusement park in Pennsylvania's coal country is nearly as famous as its rides, but don't discount the family-friendly thrills at this Susquehanna River Valley institution. The rare amusement park that's still free to enter (rides require old-school-style tickets), Knoebels is home to Phoenix, one of the most popular wooden roller coasters in the United States. And it's a virtual museum of still-operating classic rides like Whipper, Flying Turns, the Haunted Mansion dark ride, and Sky Slide. Add in some modern thrills and water rides and you have the perfect mix for a relaxed yet thrilling day in the park.
Photo courtesy of Silver Dollar City Company
No. 1:
Silver Dollar City, with its 1880s mining town theme, attracts some 2 million visitors annually with its combination of entertainment, festivals, 100 resident craftsmen, and more than 40 rides and attractions. The park is also home to Time Traveler, the world's fastest, steepest, and tallest spinning coaster.
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Alex Ojeda
Alex Ojeda, known as @AlexOjeda, is a... Read More
Alex Ojeda, known as @AlexOjeda, is a Mexican-American short-form video creator renowned for his captivating content centered around the world's most exhilarating travel experiences. With an audience of over 13 million followers across various social media platforms, Alex’s content does over 2 billion views annually across social media.
Alex Ojeda
Alex Ojeda, known as @AlexOjeda, is a Mexican-American short-form video creator renowned for his captivating content centered around the world's most exhilarating travel experiences. With an audience of over 13 million followers across various social media platforms, Alex’s content does over 2 billion views annually across social media.
Derek Perry
Derek Perry is the Communications Director for the... Read More
Derek Perry is the Communications Director for the world's largest ride enthusiast group, American Coaster Enthusiasts. Derek first joined ACE as a kid with his parents and twin brother on a roller coaster-riding road trip after unexpectedly being at a park the same day as an ACE event. In addition to his love of travel, he is one half of The Perry Twins, a DJ and music production duo with his brother, Doug. They have written, produced and remixed many songs, including their original songs that topped Billboard Magazine’s dance chart. He has been lucky to combine his love of amusement parks with traveling for DJ gigs and has ridden over 1,200 unique roller coasters around the world and share their adventures on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
Derek Perry
Derek Perry is the Communications Director for the world's largest ride enthusiast group, American Coaster Enthusiasts. Derek first joined ACE as a kid with his parents and twin brother on a roller coaster-riding road trip after unexpectedly being at a park the same day as an ACE event. In addition to his love of travel, he is one half of The Perry Twins, a DJ and music production duo with his brother, Doug. They have written, produced and remixed many songs, including their original songs that topped Billboard Magazine’s dance chart. He has been lucky to combine his love of amusement parks with traveling for DJ gigs and has ridden over 1,200 unique roller coasters around the world and share their adventures on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
Francis Dominic
I sleep more in planes than I do my own bed.... Read More
I sleep more in planes than I do my own bed. Probably visiting your local theme park! I am an emotional Aries, with a big love of fantasy-romance books, and continually immersing myself in film and television. I love to live life in color because the world can use a lot of it. And I live it unapologetically! It's okay to continually choose yourself! Connect with Francis on Instagram. TikTok and Twitter.
Francis Dominic
I sleep more in planes than I do my own bed. Probably visiting your local theme park! I am an emotional Aries, with a big love of fantasy-romance books, and continually immersing myself in film and television. I love to live life in color because the world can use a lot of it. And I live it unapologetically! It's okay to continually choose yourself! Connect with Francis on Instagram. TikTok and Twitter.
Jamie Davis Smith
Jamie is an attorney, writer and photographer. She... Read More
Jamie is an attorney, writer and photographer. She was born with deeply ingrained wanderlust and has visited 45 countries and counting. She often brings her children along for the adventure and is passing her love of travel on to the next generation. Jamie has written for Insider, Fodor's Travel, Yahoo, the Huffington Post, the Washington Post, Viator and Reviewed among many other publications. Jamie is from Philadelphia and now lives in Washington, DC, where she takes advantage of everything the region has to offer. Jamie can be reached at jamiesmithwrites@gmail.com and can be found on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.
Jamie Davis Smith
Jamie is an attorney, writer and photographer. She was born with deeply ingrained wanderlust and has visited 45 countries and counting. She often brings her children along for the adventure and is passing her love of travel on to the next generation. Jamie has written for Insider, Fodor's Travel, Yahoo, the Huffington Post, the Washington Post, Viator and Reviewed among many other publications. Jamie is from Philadelphia and now lives in Washington, DC, where she takes advantage of everything the region has to offer. Jamie can be reached at jamiesmithwrites@gmail.com and can be found on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.
Jessica Gardner
Jessica Gardner, aka Jessica The Theme... Read More
Jessica Gardner, aka Jessica The Theme Parkette, is a Los Angeles-based theme park aficionado who shares her tried-and-true travel tips, fun facts, and coaster appreciation as @themeparkette on TikTok and Instagram. She is the co-host of the American Coaster Enthusiasts’ official podcast, “Ride With Us” and “The Theme Parkettes” podcast. Jessica is also a working actor whose credits include the hit shows NCIS, Grey's Anatomy, Grace and Frankie, Modern Family, How I Met Your Mother, and many more.
Jessica Gardner
Jessica Gardner, aka Jessica The Theme Parkette, is a Los Angeles-based theme park aficionado who shares her tried-and-true travel tips, fun facts, and coaster appreciation as @themeparkette on TikTok and Instagram. She is the co-host of the American Coaster Enthusiasts’ official podcast, “Ride With Us” and “The Theme Parkettes” podcast. Jessica is also a working actor whose credits include the hit shows NCIS, Grey's Anatomy, Grace and Frankie, Modern Family, How I Met Your Mother, and many more.
Nikky J
NikkyJ is a theme park super fan, Author of The... Read More
NikkyJ is a theme park super fan, Author of The Solo Theme Park Traveler’s Guide, the founder and owner of ThemeParkHipster.com, a wishful Food Critic, coffee enthusiast, and a lover of life! She currently resides in Orlando, Florida where she enjoys spending time with her husband and two little girls while discovering the beautiful attractions of Florida. You can watch her on YouTube or listen to her podcast.
Nikky J
NikkyJ is a theme park super fan, Author of The Solo Theme Park Traveler’s Guide, the founder and owner of ThemeParkHipster.com, a wishful Food Critic, coffee enthusiast, and a lover of life! She currently resides in Orlando, Florida where she enjoys spending time with her husband and two little girls while discovering the beautiful attractions of Florida. You can watch her on YouTube or listen to her podcast.
Robb Alvey
Robb Alvey is the owner of ThemeParkReview.com,... Read More
Robb Alvey is the owner of ThemeParkReview.com, started in 1996 and one of the longest running and largest theme park fan sites with over 3 million followers. Robb travels to theme parks all over the world each year including Europe, Asia, Australia, and all around the Americas, has visited hundreds of different parks and ridden about 2,000 different roller coasters. His background in theme parks started as a cast member for Disneyland when he was 17 years old and has continued more than 30 years later.
Robb Alvey
Robb Alvey is the owner of ThemeParkReview.com, started in 1996 and one of the longest running and largest theme park fan sites with over 3 million followers. Robb travels to theme parks all over the world each year including Europe, Asia, Australia, and all around the Americas, has visited hundreds of different parks and ridden about 2,000 different roller coasters. His background in theme parks started as a cast member for Disneyland when he was 17 years old and has continued more than 30 years later.
Robert Niles
Robert Niles is the founder and editor of Read More
Robert Niles is the founder and editor of ThemeParkInsider.com, an online consumers' guide to the world's leading theme and amusement parks, read by more than 400,000 people each month. It has been named the top theme park site on the Internet by Forbes and Travel + Leisure magazines and was a Webby Award finalist and winner of the Online Journalism Award, presented by the Online News Association and the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism. Robert is a former Walt Disney World cast member and has worked as a reporter, editorial writer, columnist and website editor for several newspapers, including the Los Angeles Times and the Orange County Register.
Robert Niles
Robert Niles is the founder and editor of ThemeParkInsider.com, an online consumers' guide to the world's leading theme and amusement parks, read by more than 400,000 people each month. It has been named the top theme park site on the Internet by Forbes and Travel + Leisure magazines and was a Webby Award finalist and winner of the Online Journalism Award, presented by the Online News Association and the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism. Robert is a former Walt Disney World cast member and has worked as a reporter, editorial writer, columnist and website editor for several newspapers, including the Los Angeles Times and the Orange County Register.
Taylor Bybee
Taylor Bybee is the founder of Coaster Studios, a... Read More
Taylor Bybee is the founder of Coaster Studios, a roller coaster and theme park youtube channel with over 200,000 subscribers. Taylor has ridden over 1,000 roller coasters now across all 6 habitable continents, constantly scouting the latest and greatest thrill rides. Coaster Studios has been around for over 10 years now, providing a wide variety of high quality videos within the amusement industry, including reviews, analyses, vlogs, documentaries, and more. Taylor can be followed on Twitter @coasterstudios and on Instagram via @coaster_studios.
Taylor Bybee
Taylor Bybee is the founder of Coaster Studios, a roller coaster and theme park youtube channel with over 200,000 subscribers. Taylor has ridden over 1,000 roller coasters now across all 6 habitable continents, constantly scouting the latest and greatest thrill rides. Coaster Studios has been around for over 10 years now, providing a wide variety of high quality videos within the amusement industry, including reviews, analyses, vlogs, documentaries, and more. Taylor can be followed on Twitter @coasterstudios and on Instagram via @coaster_studios.
Victoria Wade
Victoria is a writer for the esteemed theme park... Read More
Victoria is a writer for the esteemed theme park hipster and has been visiting theme parks for over 20 years. Sharing updates on all the thrills is her one true love. You can find her opinions of all things theme park related on her Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
