Pittsburgh’s favorite hillside playground has been around since 1898, and Kennywood in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, is one of the rare parks where you can ride a 100-year-old wooden coaster in the morning and launch into a modern steel monster by afternoon. Generations of locals know it as both a tradition and a thrill factory, and…
Location: Lingonier, Pennsylvania Years Active: 1878 – Active Idlewild and Soak Zone, commonly known as Idlewild Park or simply Idlewild, is a children’s amusement park in the Laurel Highlands near Ligonier, Pennsylvania, United States, about 50 miles east of Pittsburgh, along US Route 30. Founded in 1878 as a campground along the Ligonier Valley Railroad by Thomas Mellon, Idlewild is the oldest amusement park in Pennsylvania and the third oldest…
Hershey, Pennsylvania isn’t just the sweetest town in America—it’s home to Hersheypark, a theme park that’s been serving up coasters, family rides, and chocolate-covered nostalgia since 1906. Built by Milton Hershey himself as a perk for factory workers, the park has grown into one of the East Coast’s most iconic attractions, blending history with modern…
Location: Gettysburg, Pennsylvania Years Active: 1959 – 1980 Fantasyland opened in 1959, and was owned and operated by Kenneth and Thelma Dick on 23 wooded acres (later expanded to 35) on the east side of the Taneytown Road south of General Meade’s Headquarters and the present National Park Service Visitors Center. Noted for its beauty, tranquility…
Just off Route 30 in Lancaster County, Dutch Wonderland greets families with a castle gate that looks like it was lifted straight from a storybook. Built by local farmer Earl Clark in 1963, the park has spent decades living up to its nickname, the “Kingdom for Kids,” with gentle coasters, Duke’s Lagoon water play zone,…
Long before steel coasters began dominating skylines, Allentown’s Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom was already drawing crowds—it’s been operating since 1884, making it one of the oldest continually running amusement parks in the U.S. The park’s split personality is part of the charm: massive thrill rides like Steel Force on one side, and one of…
Location: Tipton, Pennsylvania Years Active: 1909 – Active DelGrosso’s Park, located in the charming town of Tipton, Pennsylvania, USA, has been a cherished destination since its inception. Opening its doors on June 10, 1946, this amusement park combines Italian-American heritage with thrilling rides to offer an unforgettable experience to both locals and tourists. Immersed in Italian…
Location: Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania Years Active: 1892 – Active Conneaut Lake Park is a summer resort and event venue, located in Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania, United States. It has long served as a regional tourist destination, and was noted by roller coaster enthusiasts for its classic Blue Streak coaster, which was classified as “historic” by the American Coaster Enthusiasts group in 2010. Conneaut Lake is Pennsylvania’s largest natural (glacier)…
Location: Easton, Pennsylvania Years Active: 1902 – Active Located in Easton, Pennsylvania, Bushkill Park, which opened its gates in 1902, is a charming amusement park that transports visitors to a bygone era of classic entertainment. Its theme revolves around celebrating traditional amusement with attractions like a vintage carousel, Ferris wheel, Scrambler, and Tilt-A-Whirl. Festivals like the…
Location: Altoona, Pennsylvania Years Active: 1894 – 1988 Situated in the heart of Altoona, Pennsylvania, Boyertown Theme Park, which operated from May 23, 1985, until its closure in 1988, offered visitors a nostalgic journey to the early 20th century. Its carefully crafted theme, centered around the fictional town of Boyertown, featured vintage storefronts, charming street performers,…
