1 New Hampshire Amusement Park Among 20 Best In U.S. In New Ranking

NEW HAMPSHIRE — There are still a few weeks of summer left to enjoy the thrills of amusement parks, and the Granite State is home to at least one of the best, according to a new ranking

TripAdvisor, an online travel research and review company, recently announced its Travelers’ Choice Awards based on a high volume of “above-and-beyond reviews and opinions” over the past 12 months. Of 8 million listings, fewer than 1 percent achieve the “best of the best” milestone, according to TripAdvisor. While New Hampshire has several cool amusement and water parks, only one made the list: Whale’s Tale Waterpark in Lincoln.

According to the review, the park, which spans 17 acres and has been in business for decades, offers thrilling rides and outstanding views in the heart of the White Mountains. Its family-friendly environment features a wave pool, a surf ride, a lazy river, and water slides for all ages.

Dollywood, the brainchild of singer Dolly Parton, who grew up in the surrounding Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, topped the elite list. Here’s the full ranking:

1. Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
2. Magic Kingdom Park, Bay Lake, Florida
3. Knoebels Amusement Resort, Elysburg, Pennsylvania
4. Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Bay Lake, Florida
5. Universal Islands of Adventure, Orlando, Florida
6. Fun Spot America, Kissimmee, Florida
7. Legoland California, Carlsbad, California
8. Universal Studios Florida, Orlando, California
9. Silver Dollar Studios, Branson, Missouri
10. Whale’s Tale Waterpark, Lincoln, New Hampshire
11. Disneyland Park, Anaheim, California
12. Busch Gardens, Tampa, Florida
13. Noah’s Ark Water Park, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
14. Universal Studios California, Los Angeles
15. Splash Lagoon Indoor Water Park Resort, Erie, Pennsylvania
16. Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio
17. Legoland New York Resort, Goshen, New York
18. Hersheypark, Hershey, Pennsylvania
19. Carowinds, Charlotte, North Carolina
20. Six Flags Magic Mountain, Santa Clarita, California

Editor's note: This post was scripted by another Patch staffer, not New Hampshire's editor, for publication on New Hampshire sites.