Amusement parks can be expensive! That’s why it’s good to know that there are still amusement parks in this country that are free. By that, we mean free to get into. Once inside, there may be attractions that you have to pay for, but at least it doesn’t cost you anything just to get in. That’s nice when you want to take the kids somewhere fun but don’t feel like going on the rides yourself. Following are 20 amusement parks with free admission you can find around the country.
Knoebels– Elysburg, Pennsylvania
The largest free-admission amusement park in the country, this family-owned park has been open since 1926. Entry, parking, picnic facilities, and entertainment are all free. For roller coasters and other rides, you pay per ride.
Navy Pier– Chicago, Illinois
Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, this site has plenty of attractions that require tickets, but you can enjoy some of the best for free. That includes admission, summer fireworks, and the Chicago Live! Performing arts festival.
Morey’s Piers & Beachfront Water Parks– Wildwood, New Jersey
This location has three separate piers with a collection of more than 100 rides and games in all. There are also two water parks. Tickets are per ride on the piers, and for the water parks, you need a ticket for entry.
Pacific Park– Santa Monica Pier, California
Santa Monica Pier is famous for being the terminus of historic Route 66, but it’s also home to Pacific Park. Entry is free, and there’s a pay-per-ride system in place. For great views of the Pacific Coast, get on the Pacific Wheel, which is the world’s only solar-powered ferris wheel and takes you 130 feet up in the air.
Luna Park– Coney Island, New York
This park on legendary Coney Island is open March through October. You’ll find the world-famous Cyclone roller coaster here as well as many other exciting rides. Don’t forget a stop for some iconic Nathan’s hot dogs and fries.
Hershey’s Chocolate World– Hershey, Pennsylvania
Hershey Park requires an admission fee, but the Chocolate World is a separate entity and is free to enter. Also free is the Chocolate Tour there, where you can see how they make chocolate and can enjoy a free tasting at the end,
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk– Santa Cruz, California
Entry is free here, and there are also a lot of excellent free entertainment options. Just a few examples are Friday night movies on the beach, live music, and trivia nights.
Fun Spot America– Orlando, Florida
There are also locations in Fayetteville, Georgia, and in Kissimmee, Florida. Entry and parking are free at all three of them. In Orlando, have a blast on the Quad Helix Go Karts. Kissimmee has the Mine Blower, which is the only wooden roller coaster in Florida that goes upside down. The best ride at the Fayetteville site is the ArieForce One; it has 3,400 feet of steel track and a 154-foot left hill for an exciting drop.
DelGrosso’s Park & Laguna Smash– Tipton, Pennsylvania
Open May into September, this Italian-themed water park with its own Leaning Tower of Pisa has free entry and parking. On the lazy river, have fun with the tipping wine barrels. Before you go home, enjoy some gourmet Italian food.
Adventurer’s Amusement Park– Brooklyn, New York
With free parking and entry and being only 15 minutes from Luna Park, this fair-style amusement park is a big hit. Everyone will enjoy go-karts, slides, and the ferris wheel.
Palace Playland– Old Orchard Beach, Maine
New England’s only beachfront amusement park is free to enter and features reloadable cards for ride and arcade credits. The occasional fireworks shows they put on here are free to attend as well.
Family Kingdom Amusement Park– Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
This park has historic attractions such as a carousel that opened in 1923 and a wooden roller coaster called the Swamp Fox that has great views of the ocean. There are also plenty of modern attractions such as the slingshot, which sends you 300 feet into the air at 120 mph.
Waldameer Park– Erie, Pennsylvania
Entry, parking, and entertainment are free, and there are different single-price options for enjoying the rides. Note that the adjacent Water World, a water park, does not have free admission.
Holiday World– Santa Claus, Indiana
You actually have to pay to get in, but once you’ve done that, you get a lot of free perks. They include unlimited fountain drinks, sunscreen, inner tubes, parking, and admission to the Splashin’ Safari water park. So, technically not the same as the other free parks on this list, but it was worth mentioning anyway.
Nickelodeon Universe– Bloomington, Minnesota
Located at the Mall of America, this is an indoor theme park with free entry. You can buy pass cards redeemable for ride tickets, and you can also buy wristbands good for one or two days giving you unlimited access to rides.
No Passport, No Problem: You Don’t Need One to Vacation in These Countries
If you’re an American citizen traveling out of the country, you have to have a passport to be allowed into somewhere else, right? While that’s mostly true, there are some exceptions. Some are independent countries, while others are U.S. territories that largely operate independently.
Note: Before you visit any of these places, make sure you look into what the entry requirements are. For example, you may need an enhanced ID or proof of certain vaccinations.
No Passport, No Problem: You Don’t Need One to Vacation in These Countries
Lagoons at Ko Olina: Best Beach on Oahu For Families
Visiting the lagoons at Ko Olina was one of our favorite things about our vacation in Oahu. If you’re considering whether or not to spend time there, I’m here to give you the rundown on why I think you absolutely should!
Maybe.
Although we absolutely loved the lagoons at Ko Olina, there’s a specific reason why. Read on and I’ll explain why while answering all your questions.
Then you can decide if visiting the most popular lagoons in Oahu is what you want to do, too.
Robert Sihler is an educator, freelance writer, and rock climbing guide and instructor living with his family in Driftwood, Texas. In his spare time, he enjoys reading fiction, streaming films, completing crossword puzzles, and rock climbing. When he goes on vacation, he likes to visit the mountains of the West and climb remote, obscure peaks that have seen few or no prior ascents.