Thrilling amusement parks of New England
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New England has plenty of amusement and water parks that will get your heart pumping.
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Story Land
Glen, N.H.
Children can see their favorite fairy tales come to life at Story Land. This truly family-based park, created in 1954 by the Morrell family, features fascinating fairytale themes to ignite the imagination. From castles to trains and safaris to an Egyptian themed water cannon battle, you never know what you’ll see when you visit the magical Story Land.
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Six Gun City
Jefferson, N.H.
Mosey on over to Jefferson, N.H. to get a taste of the Old West from a small town in the Northeast. Six Gun City is a Western theme and water park where you can become a deputy and catch an outlaw, pan for gold, ambush desperadoes in a game of laser tag, or get soaked on the Prospector’s Plunge water coaster. Once you’ve done all that, sit down and wet your whistle or dig in to some food at Gabby’s Grub House. Just try to keep your face off of those “Wanted’’ posters.
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Water Country
Portsmouth, N.H.
At Water Country, it’s all up to you. You have the choice of spending a relaxing day floating along on the Adventure River, the whirl pool, or New England’s largest wave pool, or having a thrilling afternoon full of vertical slides and white water raft rides. The Double Geronimo (pictured) is a 58-foot high twin slide that will get your heart pumping as you zip straight down to the finish.
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Whales Tale Waterpark
Lincoln, N.H.
It’s time to take the plunge at Whales Tale Waterpark. Literally. The Plunge, the water park’s dual speed slides, allow visitors to race while reaching speeds up to 40 miles per hour. For the less adventuresome guests, the park also features a wave pool and lazy river where you can leisurely soak up the rays all day.
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Quassy Amusement Park
Middlebury, Conn.
Quassy Amusement Park is a great place to cool off during those scorching summer afternoons. Not only is the park situated on Lake Quassapaug, it also has an entire Saturation Station with 30 different ways to get wet. Surrounded by water cannons and waterfalls is a giant tipping bucket that dumps 300 gallons of water onto the guests below.
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Lake Compounce
Bristol, Conn.
Lake Compounce has some clout. According to the park’s website, it is the oldest continuously running park in the country and is home to Connecticut’s largest water park as well as Boulder Dash, which has been voted the No. 1 wooden roller coaster in the world.
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Edaville USA
South Carver
In recent years, this park has seen quite the face lift. The rail course of the Edaville Railroad has been reconfigured and vintage amusement park rides have been incorporated. Yearly events include a “Day out with Thomas,’’ a family event based on the classic Thomas the Tank Engine storybooks.
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Six Flags
Springfield
There are so many options at Six Flags New England that it’s hard to decide where to begin. Luckily, its website has a list of all the rides with a thrill meter, which lets you decide beforehand just how crazy you want to get. One of their newest coaster, Goliath, will have riders experiencing loops, turns, and a 20-story free fall, all while strapped into chairs suspended from the track above.
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Funtown Splashtown USA
Saco, Maine
Funtown Splashtown USA, Northern New England’s largest water/amusement park, has a variety of rides, from dry and daring to wet and placid. The park is home to a wooden coaster, as well as the largest and tallest rides in Maine. There are also more docile rides for those visitors who aren’t fans of the terms “tallest’’ and “largest.’’ Regardless of your thrill level, the 45 rides, slides, and pools should be enough to keep you screaming all summer long, and their latest addition of six new thrill slides last June is sure to excite.
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Water Wizz
East Wareham/Westerly, R.I.
It’s inevitable, if you go to Water Wizz you’re going to get soaked. Whether you are crossing Harpoon Lagoon (pictured), cruising down one of the slides on Hurricane Hill, or just watching the fun, the immense splashes and waves of Water Wizz will eventually get the best of you.
Water Wizz also has a smaller site located in Westerly, R.I.
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Bromley’s Sun Mountain Adventure Park
Peru, Vt.
The name says it all; Bromley isn’t just an amusement park, it’s an adventure park. Really, how can you go wrong with zip lines, mountain coasters (pictured), climbing walls, and giant swings? Bromley gives you the chance to enjoy all of this while taking in the natural beauty of Southern Vemont.
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Palace Playland
Old Orchard Beach, Maine
Palace Playland is a combination amusement park and arcade, featuring more than 25 rides and attractions, and more than 200 arcade games. Adding to the fun is that the four-acre park is located right on Old Orchard Beach. Head over on Thursdays and stay late to see the sky light up with weekly fireworks displays.
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Santa’s Village
Jefferson, N.H.
Ol’ Saint Nick has never been so much fun. Santa’s Village is a Christmas themed park that gives you a sneak a peak into life on the North Pole. Some highlights on site include the Skyway Sleigh ride, the Elfabet Univsersity, and the Sugar ‘n Spice Bake Shop. Of course, no visit is complete without a stop at Santa’s house to meet and take photos with the jolly man himself.
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Canobie Lake Park
Salem, N.H.
Canobie Lake Park added to it’s already thrilling collection of rides last summer with the opening of Untamed. Their newest coaster, the first of its kind in New England and one of four in the country, starts with a 75-foot climb, immediately followed by a more than vertical (97 degree) drop. The rest of the grizzly-themed coaster, complete with curves, loops, twists and rolls, is a thrilling addition to the park’s arsenal of bone-chilling rides, which is currently highlighted by their Yankee Cannonball and Corkscrew coasters.
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