Amusement park · Derry Township, Dauphin County
Hersheypark
Chocolate Town's big amusement park, with more than a dozen roller coasters, a water park, a vintage carousel among the classic rides, and the ZooAmerica wildlife park next door.
10 places
Theme Parks
Wooden coasters, classic old parks and a chocolate town
Pennsylvania has an unusual number of old-fashioned amusement parks still going strong, several of them begun more than a century ago as picnic groves at the end of a trolley or railroad line. Kennywood near Pittsburgh and Knoebels in the central valleys are known for their wooden roller coasters, Idlewild in the Laurel Highlands is shady and gentle, and Waldameer sits at the entrance to Presque Isle in Erie.
Hersheypark adds big modern rides in the town Milton Hershey built, and Dorney Park in Allentown and Sesame Place near Philadelphia keep the east busy all summer. Most parks open seasonally, so check the calendar before you go.
Our picks
Where to start
Amusement park · West Mifflin, Allegheny County
Kennywood
Perched on a bluff above the Monongahela, a classic amusement park and National Historic Landmark, with vintage wooden coasters like the Jack Rabbit alongside modern thrill rides.
Amusement park · Ralpho Township, Northumberland County
Knoebels Amusement Resort
Tucked into a wooded hollow, a family-owned amusement park with much-loved wooden coasters like the Phoenix and Twister, an antique carousel with a brass-ring grab, and a campground.
Amusement park · South Whitehall Township, Lehigh County
Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom
Towering steel roller coasters, family rides and the Wildwater Kingdom water park fill this long-running amusement park on Allentown's western edge.
Amusement park · Ligonier Township, Westmoreland County
Idlewild and Soak Zone
Among the oldest amusement parks in the country, opened in 1878 along Loyalhanna Creek, with Story Book Forest, a Daniel Tiger trolley ride, classic rides and a water park.
Amusement park · Millcreek Township, Erie County
Waldameer Park
Right at the gateway to Presque Isle, a family-owned amusement park dating to the 1890s, with wooden roller coasters, classic rides and the Water World water park.
The full list
Every theme parks place
-
Knoebels Amusement Resort
Tucked into a wooded hollow, a family-owned amusement park with much-loved wooden coasters like the Phoenix and Twister, an antique carousel with a brass-ring grab, and a campground.
-
DelGrosso's Amusement Park
A family-run amusement park in the Blair County countryside, with classic rides, the Laguna Splash water park and Italian food rooted in the family's sauce-making tradition.
-
Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom
Towering steel roller coasters, family rides and the Wildwater Kingdom water park fill this long-running amusement park on Allentown's western edge.
-
Hersheypark
Chocolate Town's big amusement park, with more than a dozen roller coasters, a water park, a vintage carousel among the classic rides, and the ZooAmerica wildlife park next door.
-
Idlewild and Soak Zone
Among the oldest amusement parks in the country, opened in 1878 along Loyalhanna Creek, with Story Book Forest, a Daniel Tiger trolley ride, classic rides and a water park.
-
Sandcastle Waterpark
Tall slides, a wave pool and a lazy river on the banks of the Monongahela River, with plenty of room for an all-day summer outing.
-
Waldameer Park
Right at the gateway to Presque Isle, a family-owned amusement park dating to the 1890s, with wooden roller coasters, classic rides and the Water World water park.
-
Dutch Wonderland
Entered through a storybook castle, an amusement park built for young children, with gentle rides, a family-sized wooden coaster and splash areas for hot days.
-
Kennywood
Perched on a bluff above the Monongahela, a classic amusement park and National Historic Landmark, with vintage wooden coasters like the Jack Rabbit alongside modern thrill rides.
-
Sesame Place Philadelphia
A theme park built around Sesame Street, with rides and water slides for young children, a character parade and chances to meet Elmo, Big Bird and friends.