Back to grid

Best theme park destinations in North America

Back to grid
Los Angeles
The city of stars, beaches and dreams
8.8
Sunset is a favourite time to ride the Ferris wheel at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier. The park also has a roller coaster and arcade games above the ocean. Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood and Six Flags Magic Mountain are all day trips from this city.
Highlights:
  • 🎡 Spend a sunny afternoon at Santa Monica Pier and beach
  • 🥾 Hike to the Hollywood Sign for sweeping city views
  • 🎬 Walk along the Hollywood Walk of Fame and find your favorite stars
Orlando
Theme park magic and sunny vibes
8.0
Walt Disney World opened in 1971 and covers about 40 square miles, far larger than Manhattan. Universal Orlando added Epic Universe in May 2025 with Harry Potter and Super Mario lands. SeaWorld Orlando adds marine life shows and coasters. Many visitors spend a week moving between the parks.
Highlights:
  • 🏖️ Cool off at Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach waterparks
  • 🎢 Ride thrilling roller coasters at Universal Orlando Resort
  • 🏰 Spend a magical day at Walt Disney World’s theme parks
California
Golden State of Endless Experiences
8.7
Churros and popcorn scent Main Street at Disneyland, which opened in Anaheim in 1955. Knott's Berry Farm is a short drive away in Buena Park. Legoland California is in Carlsbad. SeaWorld has a park in San Diego. Sunny weather suits outdoor rides for most of the year.
Highlights:
  • 🚗 Drive the stunning Pacific Coast Highway from LA to Big Sur
  • 🏞️ Explore Yosemite National Park’s waterfalls and granite cliffs
  • 🌉 Stroll across the iconic Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco
Branson
Live Shows Meet Ozark Outdoor Adventures
6.7
Explorers found Marvel Cave in 1869 and it opened to sightseers in 1894. The Herschend family later built Silver Dollar City on the site in 1960 as an 1880s Ozarks village. Craftspeople there blow glass and shape iron by hand. Time Traveler opened in 2018 as the tallest and fastest spinning coaster.
Highlights:
  • 🛥️ Enjoy dinner and a show on the Showboat Branson Belle
  • 🚢 Explore the interactive Titanic Museum Attraction
  • 🎢 Experience thrilling rides and live shows at Silver Dollar City
Williamsburg
Colonial History Comes Alive Daily
7.4
Flower beds and cobbled lanes fill ten hamlets themed to England, France, Germany, Italy, Scotland and Ireland. Busch Gardens was voted Most Beautiful Park every year from 1990 to 2022 in a survey of amusement park enthusiasts. It opened in 1975. Coasters include Griffon and Pantheon.
Highlights:
  • 🌿 Tour the Governor’s Palace and its formal gardens
  • 🔨 Watch blacksmiths and artisans at work in 18th-century workshops
  • 🏛️ Step back in time at Colonial Williamsburg’s historic district
Mexico City
Vibrant Culture, History and Street Food
8.3
Families celebrate Día del Niño on 30 April with outings. Theme parks are a popular choice. Six Flags México opened in 1982 as Reino Aventura, then the largest theme park in Latin America. It lies in the Tlalpan forest on the southern edge of this city. Medusa is one of its coasters.
Highlights:
  • 🎨 Visit Frida Kahlo’s Blue House in Coyoacán
  • 🏛️ Wander through the historic center and Zócalo Square
  • 🏯 Explore the ancient ruins of Teotihuacán’s pyramids
Pennsylvania
Keystone State of American history
7.1
Chocolatetown, a 23 acre area added in 2020, greets visitors at the Hersheypark entrance. The park began in 1906 as a leisure ground for chocolate factory workers. Candymonium is its tallest and fastest coaster. ZooAmerica, an 11 acre zoo with more than 200 animals, is included with park admission.
Highlights:
  • 🥾 Hike through the Pocono Mountains’ scenic trails and waterfalls
  • 🍴 Wander through Philadelphia’s famous Reading Terminal Market
  • 🗽 See the Liberty Bell and tour Independence Hall
Tennessee
Music, mountains and Southern charm
7.3
The park began as Rebel Railroad and became Dollywood in 1986 when Dolly Parton joined as a partner. It celebrates Smoky Mountain heritage with craftspeople and live bluegrass music. Pigeon Forge, the town around it, is the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and its hiking trails.
Highlights:
  • 🎢 Enjoy rides and shows at Dollywood theme park
  • 🌲 Explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park trails
  • 🎸 Visit Graceland, Elvis Presley's famous home
Universal Studios Hollywood
Hollywood Magic Meets Thrilling Rides
The Studio Tour has rolled through a working film lot since 1964. Trams pass sets from famous movies and TV shows. Super Nintendo World brings Mario Kart to life with augmented reality headsets. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter adds a Hogwarts castle and butterbeer.
Highlights:
  • 📸 Take photos with movie characters around Universal CityWalk
  • 🎥 Join the world-famous Studio Tour through real film sets
  • 🧙‍♂️ Ride the thrilling Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey attraction
Cedar Point
Thrilling rides amid Ohio’s scenic shoreline
A narrow peninsula on Lake Erie in Sandusky holds this park, with a one mile beach beside the rides. Millennium Force climbs 310 feet and reaches 93 mph. Top Thrill 2 reaches 420 feet and 120 mph. The park opened in 1870 and now has 18 roller coasters.
Highlights:
  • 🎆 Enjoy evening fireworks over Lake Erie
  • 🎢 Explore wooden coasters like Maverick
  • 🚀 Ride the world's tallest roller coaster, Millennium Force
Six Flags Magic Mountain
Thrilling rides, dazzling fireworks, endless fun
This park lies about 35 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles in the hills near Santa Clarita. It opened in 1971 and now has 17 roller coasters. Twisted Colossus is the world's longest racing coaster. Full Throttle has a 160 foot vertical loop that was the tallest when it opened.
Highlights:
  • ✨ Watch nightly fireworks illuminate Six Flags Magic Mountain
  • 🏙️ Explore themed lands: Hollywood Hills, Gold Rush Town
  • 🎢 Ride the tallest wooden roller coaster worldwide
Six Flags Great Adventure
Thrilling rides and family fun
Fall evenings bring Fright Fest scare zones after dark. The park opened in 1974 and has 14 roller coasters. El Toro was ranked the world's best wooden coaster at the Golden Ticket Awards in 2012 and 2017. The Safari drive through shows nearly 1,200 animals from six continents.
Highlights:
  • 🏙️ Capture sunset skyline from the Skyway observation deck
  • 🌊 Dive into indoor water park attractions and slides
  • 🎢 Ride the legendary wooden coaster Thunderbolt
Feedback