3 PA Amusement Parks Among The 20 Best In The US

PENNSYLVANIA — If adrenalin-producing roller coasters and smile-inducing costumed characters are your idea of a fun family play date, three of the 20 best amusement parks in the country are close to home in Pennsylvania, according to a recent U.S. News & World Report ranking.

The Pennsylvania mentions on the The 20 Best Amusement Parks in the U.S. for 2025 are:

Kennywood, Pittsburgh

This idyllic family oriented park has thrilled people for generations and has made a few tweaks for 2025. The Thomas Town area has been re-themed as Kennywood Junction, which is anchored by the Kennywood Express train and features five renamed rides, a celebration room that can be rented and a new retail store.

Knoebels Amusement Resort, Elysburg

Knoebels is a family-owned and operated amusement park, picnic grove and campground. Opened in 1926, it is the nation's largest free-admission park. There are some new foods available at the park this year, such as cheesecake melt with blueberry or strawberry filling, acai bowls, specialty pretzels and "German Sushi," which consists of sauerkraut, cheese, chili and fiesta dogs.

Hersheypark, Hershey

Later this summer, Pennsylvania's largest amusement park will debut its new thrill ride: Twizzler's Twisted Gravity. The ride will ascend 137 feet, swing at speeds reaching 68 mph and provide multiple mind-bending zero G moments.

U.S. News said the amusement parks on the list can be affordable for families especially when reservations are booked in advance. The parks are supported by a range of nearby lodging options including family-oriented hotels with pools to campgrounds.

Others on the list are:

• Six Flags Great Adventure: Jackson Township, New Jersey
• Walt Disney World Resort: Orlando, Florida
• Busch Gardens Tampa Bay: Tampa, Florida
• Universal Orlando Resort: Orlando, Florida
• Dollywood: Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
• Legoland Florida Resort: Winter Haven, Florida
• Six Flags Fiesta Texas: San Antonio, Texas
• Cedar Point: Sandusky, Ohio
• Silver Dollar City: Branson, Missouri
• Kings Island: Mason, Ohio
• Kings Dominion Theme Park: Doswell, Virginia
• Holiday World & Splashin' Safari: Santa Claus, Indiana
• Knott’s Berry Farm: Buena Park, California
• Six Flags Magic Mountain: Valencia, California
• Disneyland Park: Anaheim, California
• Universal Studios Hollywood: Universal City, California
• SeaWorld San Diego: San Diego, California