The best amusement parks in the Midwest region of the United States is home to several fun and interesting amusement parks. The Midwest region includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Whether you are looking for the thrills of roller coaster and spinning rides or laid back people watching, I think you will find that these parks will fill the bill for you. Here are just a few amusement parks in the Midwest to consider:
Cedar Point (Sandusky, Ohio)
From 18 world-class roller coasters to three areas filled with rides and attractions for kids and families, plus an 18-acre waterpark with plunging slides and shallow-depth kids areas, you’ll quickly find out why Cedar Point is known as The Amazement Park. There’s live singers, dancers, instrumentalists and themed shows that take you from the Old West to Broadway. Grab a seat, These shows are a great way to get out of the summer heat and enjoy Cedar Point’s fantastic live shows.
Cedar Point also offers a variety of special events. Check their calendar for current offerings. Cedar Point is open May through October with some of the days in May, September and October being open only on weekends.
Cedar Point is a large property, so they suggest staying for several days to see and experience everything there is to offer. Cedar Point does offer hotels on their property Their resort hotels offer benefits no other local hotel can match – Early Entry (get in an hour before the general public), discounts on single-day and multi-day admission tickets and the close proximity to the park. Visit their hotels page for details on their various properties.
Check out current ticket prices and more information here.
Six Flags Great America (Gurnee, Illinois)
Located just outside of Chicago, Six Flags Great America is a popular amusement park with a wide variety of rides and attractions. Experience pulse-pounding coasters, dining, shopping, entertainment, and attractions for kids, adults and everyone in-between. It has thrilling roller coasters, water rides, family-friendly shows, and a dedicated children’s area. The park also features a separate water park called Hurricane Harbor.
Whether you are looking for thrills for you or your teen, family rides or children’s rides, Six Flags has what you are looking for.
Though the park offers food and beverage for sale, you can bring your own. The park offers picnic areas just outside the park which are available for your party to eat outside food. Exceptions are made for Guests with special religious requirements or dietary needs to include food allergies and baby food/formula. Guest should contact Park Security or Guest Relations when they arrive at the Park for approval to bring in special dietary foods. The special dietary food containers will be marked and dated to clearly show that they have been approved for entry into the park.
Six Flags Great America is open May through September with some of those dates being weekends only during school hours. Please check the calendar here for current hours and prices.
Kings Island (Mason, Ohio)
For more than five decades, Kings Island has been the premier entertainment destination in the Midwest for literally millions of families seeking the best in rides, live entertainment, food and Cincinnati events, all in a magical amusement park setting. Since opening in 1972, Kings Island has worked hard to ensure a visit to the park is a day to remember for the entire family. Kings Island boasts it’s 364-acre park as pure fun filled excitement.
It offers a diverse range of attractions, including world-class roller coasters, a water park called Soak City, live entertainment, and family-friendly rides. The park is known for its iconic rides, such as The Beast and Diamondback.
No outside food, beverages or coolers are allowed to be brought into Kings Island or Soak City Water Park. Exceptions are made for Guests with special dietary needs to include food allergies and baby food and formula. Guests with special dietary needs should stop at Guest Services located at the Front Gate when they arrive at the Park.
Kings Island is open April through December with some of those dates being weekends only. Please check here for current open dates and ticket pricing.
Worlds of Fun (Kansas City, Missouri)
Worlds of Fun is a popular amusement park in the heart of the Midwest. It features a variety of thrill rides, family attractions, and live entertainment. The park also has a connected water park called Oceans of Fun, making it a great destination for both roller coaster enthusiasts and water slide lovers.
A trip to Worlds of Fun is a trip around the world where you experience world-record attractions, world-famous food, world-class events, and world-changing fun!
Founded in 1973 by Lamar Hunt, Worlds of Fun started as Kansas City’s Family Fun Adventure. It quickly grew into a theme park larger than any amusement park in the Midwest! Today it spans more than 325 acres with unique themed areas, a record-breaking waterpark with Oceans of Fun, and the resort for getaways that feel worlds away with the Worlds of Fun Village.
Guests are not permitted to bring coolers, food, or drinks into either park. Unopened water bottles or empty reusable water bottles are the only exception to the food and drink policy. Cups of water are available free of charge at any of our food or drink stations.
Conveniently located a short walk from Worlds of Fun and minutes from both I-70 and I-35, Worlds of Fun Village is a great place to stay. Worlds of Fun Village features 42 Cottages and Cabin rentals along with 82 RV Campsites all laid out and designed for families to come together, relax and create new memories. Their woodside cottage rentals feature peaceful views of the great outdoors while our family cabin rentals provide great guest experiences and a relaxing resort atmosphere. Their luxury RV sites feature full hook-up with 50-, 30- or 20-amp service. The campground boasts a swimming pool (open seasonally) and a convenience store and is just steps from the entrance of Worlds of Fun & Oceans of Fun.
Open April through September, but, some of those dates are weekends only. Check here for current dates and hours of operation. For current ticket prices, check here.
Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari (Santa Claus, Indiana)
Holiday World is a unique amusement park that combines thrilling rides with a holiday theme. It features four themed areas based on Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and the 4th of July. The park offers a variety of roller coasters, water slides, and family rides. Splashin’ Safari is the adjacent water park, known for its extensive water attractions.
You get 2 parks for one price! That’s right you can explore over 120 acres of rides and slides all in the same day. You can even go back and forth cooling off during the day in the water and then back to the amusement park for more thrilling rides.
Holiday World is located in Santa Claus, Indiana and about 2 1/2 hours south of Indianapolis. There is truly something for everyone from toddlers to teenagers and every age in between.
Holiday World offers lots of free stuff – take a look at this list:
- Free soft drinks (including Gatorade, lemonade, iced tea, coffee and water) are available throughout both parks all day, every day
- Free sunscreen bottles are located in front of the restroom buildings in Splashin’ Safari and by the west steps of Holiday Theater in Christmas, in Holidog’s FunTown, next to Tippecanoes by The Alamo, and in Thunderbird Plaza in Holiday World. These pump bottles contain 50 SPF Australian Gold sunscreen.
- Free parking
- Free Package Pick-Up is available for purchases made prior to two hours before Holiday World’s closing time. Packages can be picked up at Holiday World Services a minimum of two hours after purchase up until park closing
- Free Wi-Fi
- Free “Santatizer”
- Free use of inner tubes
- Electric Vehicle Charging Station in the Legend Parking Lot – free, of course!
Michigan’s Adventure (Muskegon, Michigan)
Michigan’s Adventure is the largest amusement park in Michigan. It offers a mix of roller coasters, water slides, family rides, and live entertainment. The park is located near the Lake Michigan shoreline, providing a beautiful backdrop for a day of fun.
Only at Michigan’s Adventure and WildWater Adventure will you find over 60 rides, slides and attractions, including seven roller coasters. Your family adventure begins at Camp Snoopy, featuring kids attractions for thrill-seeking guests. Continue your journey at WildWater Adventure, home to Funnel of Fear, three wave pools, slides of all kinds, and Half Pint Paradise. Two great parks for one price!
From the time you arrive, you’ll see that Michigan’s Adventure and WildWater Adventure are the perfect place for your family fun! The park is open from May through October with some opening dates being weekends only. Check here for current dates and hours. Check here for current ticket prices.
Your are going to have a great time whichever park you choose. Don’t forget to stay hydrated and use sunscreen liberally. Check here for the best amusement park backpacks to carry a change of clothes, sunscreen and a water bottle.
These are just a few of the best amusement parks in the Midwest, and each offers its own unique attractions and experiences. Be sure to check their websites or contact them directly for up-to-date information on operating hours and attractions before planning your visit. I have included links to the individual websites for dates and hours of operation as well as a link to ticket prices.
Until Next Time!
