Are you looking for amusement parks in the Midwest? You are in the right place. I grew up in the Midwest and I love going to Midwest amusement parks.
In this article, I will walk you through the best amusement parks in the Midwest so you can decide which one is the best for you to visit.
I have all kinds of Midwest amusement parks here for you, from water parks to storybook lands. Hopefully, there will be an amusement park for everyone.
Amusement Parks In The Midwest: 14 For Your Bucketlist
Six Flags Great America In Illinois
Six Flags is a chain, in several locations throughout the USA.
This is particular location is undoubtedly one of the best amusement parks in the Midwest and one of the largest.
With over 45 rides shows and attractions and a 20 acre water park, it’s a thrill a minute.
With over 9 thrill rides including the world’s first suspended outside-looping roller coaster this is a great park to bring teenagers too. There is enough here to keep them occupied all day.
There are also lots of family and children’s rides and the waterpark offers some thrills too.
The park does a lot to help families like Kidswap on rides so make sure you check before hand so you can prepare for your trip.
This is one of the best amusement parks in the US!
The best thing is that this park is close to Chicago and would make a great day trip from Chicago.
Amusement Parks In the Midwest: Holiday World Splashin’ Safari In Indiana
In the tiny town of Santa Claus, this is another Midwest amusement park that combines roller coasters with water rides and will have something for everyone.
It also has the world’s longest water coaster which sounds like a lot of fun.
If you are a thrill seeker you will love it here. The park is home to Thunderbird, the nation’s only launched wing coaster which has one of the tallest vertical loops.
Holiday World has a tradition of sending roller coasters through thickly wooded and hilly terrain which is something a little different.
The park also offers free soft drinks all day as well as free parking, WIFI, and sunscreen which is a lovely added bonus.
Park hours vary due to the season and I advice you to buy your tickets online as they tend to offer greater savings.
This is one of the amusement parks in the Midwest that is well worth a visit.
And one of the best things to do in Indiana!
Midwest Amusement Parks: Arnolds Park In Iowa
A charming waterfront amusement park on Lake Okoboji, this park has a long history dating back to 1882 when Wesley Arnold built a hotel on the site.
The first attraction was built in 1889 and from that time the park has grown to become what it is today.
There is even a park museum on site.
The big thrill ride here is the wooden roller coaster The Legend which opened originally in 1927.
There are lots of family rides as well to enjoy and a great racetrack ride if you want to have lots of fun.
The park is free to enter but the thrill rides cost. You can purchase some great tickets online, some that even include food which is a great way to save money.
Oh, and you can also go on an old-fashioned steamboat. There really is so much to do here and the fact you only have to pay for the ride is appealing.
A real nostalgic fun day out at one the amusements parks in the Midwest. And one of the best resorts in Iowa to visit!
Michigan Adventure In Michigan
The largest amusement and water park in Michigan, this Midwest theme park has more than 60 rides and attractions, including seven roller coasters and more than 20 water slides.
The thrill ride here is The Shivery Timbers which holds the record for the the longest and fastest in the state but there is so much more to enjoy.
Going out of peak times if you can mean the park is not as busy. Order your tickets online for some great tickets.
One of the best amusement parks in the Midwest.
There is also much more to explore in Michigan including historical and beautiful national parks in Michigan and epic Michigan Beaches
Midwest Amusement Parks And Rides: Valley Fair In Minnesota
This amusement park in the Midwest mixes the old and new having old wooden roller coaster with some very modern additions.
Valley Fair has a 230-foot-tall tower that spins riders more than 20 stories above the ground.
You can get getting rocketed into the sky or thrust down from above.
There is also enough to keep the family and children happy including one of the best waterparks in the Midwest! You will also find live entertainment and shows so the non-riders will be happy too.
Again get tickets online for better deals and if you can, plan to go on nonpeak times. A great park for those looking for one of the best amusement parks in the Midwest!
If you have some spare time explore the surrounding area because it is beautiful and there are so many things to do in Minnesota!
Amusement parks In The US: Nickelodeon Universe In Minnesota
An amusement park inside a mall! Yes, it is possible and happing at Bloomington’s Mall of America in Minnesota. You don’t have to worry about the weather.
It is a colorful vibrant park all packed into 7 acres so you will not tire as quickly, as there is less walking than a normal Midwest amusement park.
As the name suggests the park is based around children’s favorite characters and this Midwest attraction is also a certified autism center.
There are over 27 rides and attractions in this small space with the big thrill coming from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Shell Shock.
There are mini-golf areas if you would like to try your golf skills. Its hard to believe so much is in a small space.
You can buy tickets online or at the Nickelodeon store in the mall.
This place really is an experience and one of the best amusement parks in the Midwest you really need to visit.
If you have time, there are so many things to explore in Minneapolis as well.
Amusement Parks In The Midwest: Silver Dollar City In Missouri
This Midwest theme park has something a little different to offer.
It has all the thrills and spills plus it adds on some interesting extras: 100 resident craftsmen demonstrate America’s heritage crafts, 18 award-winning restaurants, and 60 unique shops.
It’s an 1880s-style Midwest theme park located in Branson, Missouri that mixes vintage with modern to make a great day out. All sitting atop one of Missouri’s deepest caves.
The site also is a popular Midwest water park, with a campground and a dinner cruise you can take part in.
The scenery, food, and atmosphere here are all very unique and the visiting craftsmen really add to the ambiance of this place.
Get your tickets online for some great offers
Silver Dollar City is one of the best amusement parks in the Midwest.And one of the coolest things to do in Branson MO!
Fun Plex In Nebraska Is One Of The Best Amusement Parks In The Midwest
Fun Plex has been drawing visitors since 1979. With the largest waterpark in Nebraska, this theme park in the Midwest has more of a fairground feel and it makes a perfect day out.
There are all the traditional rides you would find at a fairground including bumper cars, Tilt-a-Whirl, go-karts and a carousel.
It’s a perfect place if your child loves the water as you can rent a cabana and enjoy a pretty restful day.
You can purchase day tickets or twilight tickets which start after 4p.m.
Visiting here is one of the fun things to do in Nebraska!
Raging Rivers Waterpark In North Dakota
If you love the water you will love this Midwest amusement park. It offers tube slides, speed slides, a lazy river, and an aqua play area.
The speed slides stand 66 feet above the park and provide the ultimate thrill for those that way inclined.
The lazy river provides everything you need to just relax for a little while. There is also a river run, tube slide, and a black hole tube slide.
You can purchase a nonswimmer day pass and children under 3 are free.
This Midwest amusement park is one of the coolest things to do in North Dakota!
Amusement Parks In the US: Storybook Island In South Dakota
The mission of Storybook island is “To provide a free, safe, educational environment for those young in years or young at heart to experience the power of imagination”
Its a great park for the under 10’s and has been in operation for over 60 years.
The park is cute and the rides are affordable and a great safe park to take small children.
The South Dakota amusement park gets great reviews which is why it makes it onto my list of the best amusements parks in the Midwest.
Look here for other things to do in South Dakota.
Kings Island In Ohio
The second biggest amusement park in Ohio, Kings Island offers you all the thrills and spills you would expect.
Orion, which debuted in 2020 is one of only seven giga coasters in the world.
The Beast, is listed in the prestigious Guinness Book of World Records as the longest wooden roller coaster in the world at a staggering 7,350 feet.
This amusement park in the Midwest provides lots of thrills, with 15 coasters, 5 thrill rides and lots of family rides to keep you entertained for hours.
Visiting htis MW amusement park is one of the fun things to do in Cincinnati!
Amusement Parks And Rides: Cedar Point In Northwest Ohio
Celebrating it’s 150 year anniversary in 2021 Cedar Point is partly what gave Ohio the title of Roller Coaster Capital Of The World.
Set in 365-acres on a Lake Erie peninsula, this beachside vibe is mixed with 18 world class roller coasters.
It mixes all these thrills with an 18-acre Midwest waterpark with plunging slides and shallow-depth kids areas making this place perfect for anyone.
This place is an experience and one where you really do choose you own adventure. And the location makes it all that bit more special.
There are plenty of otheer things to do in Sandusky as well.
Amusement Parks Near Me: Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun In Missouri
As one of the largest amusements park complexes in the Midwest located in Kansas City MO, there is so much to do and see here.
With 15 thrill rides raging from classic roller coasters to Fury of the Nile, there is also a water splash ride like no other. And they can shoot you forwards, backwards, upside down,
Planet Snoopy will keep the smaller children occupied and the waterpark has a tropical feel.
This Midwest amusement park has distinct areas Africa, Americana, Europa, Orient, Scandinavia and Planet Snoopy each offering something different.
This is clearly one of the best attractions in Kansas City MO!
Bay Beach In Wisconsin
A little different from the high-powered Midwest amusement parks, Bay Beach was built as a private beach resort in 1892 and continues to offer family-friendly rides.
There is no admission fee or parking fee. Ride tickets are $.25 each with most rides requiring one or two tickets per rider making things a very purse-friendly place to visit.
Overall there are 19 rides so this amusement park in the Midwest isn’t huge but it is packed with charm and the food tends to be in the affordable range too.
A great place for a day out, and if you have some spare time, Chack out all the things to do in Green Bay WI.
Packing List For Visiting The Best Amusement Parks In The Midwest
If you will be traveling, either by plane or by car to the Midwest, here are some tips on how to pack lightly.
This unisex RFID blocking concealed travel pouch is lightweight protects your personal information.
These RFID sleeves are another solution.
This Anker high-speed phone charging battery is the exact one I carry with me on all of my trips.
My daughter gifted me this FugeTek selfie stick and tripod setup for my birthday. It is made of lightweight aluminum and so easy to use.
I never leave home on a trip without my Bobble filtration bottle. The 18.5-ounce size is perfect for me.
You can find carbon filter replacements here to ensure fresh clean water when you want it.
This foldable water-resistant backpack would be greatwhen you are out!
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Let me know if you visit one of these best amusement parks in the Midwest
Wherever you are in the Midwest you are never far from an amusement park. These Midwest amusement parks are some of the best the Midwest offers.
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Being originally from Ohio, King’s Island is one of the best amusement parks in the country. And Cedar Point might be the best roller coaster park in the world if not top 5. And best theme parks of course are here in Orlando. But that’s Southwest not midwest.