For the sheer man-made thrill of it all there’s nothing like a great amusement park. We Americans love to be scared silly – as long as we control the real risk of it all. That’s what catapults amusement park attendance.
There are lost of great ones out there. Here’s a trio that’s within easy reach of folks in the Ohio Valley and along the East Coast:
- Knoebels Amusement Resort bills itself as “America’s Largest Free-Admission Amusement Park.” A bit of perspective: This Elysburg, Pa. fun palace has been bringing families together since 1926 – a year before Lindbergh flew the Atlantic. Back then, the marquee ride was a comforting steam-powered carousel. Today, stomach-contorting rides like Downdraft and The Flyer rule the day. The food here is fabulous, some of the best you’ll eat ant any amusement enclave on earth – just wait till you’ve finished the thrill rides before chowing down.
- Mason, Ohio’s Kings Island is a thrill-a-minute monster park. You’d be amazed at just how loud you can scream on Diamondback, Kings Island’s largest, fastest coaster. This thing reaches speeds of 80 mph, the course winding its way along 5,282 feet of precipitous drops. Love rollercoasting but prefer a more conventional conveyance? Behold The Beast, billed as the longest wooden roller coaster in existence. It’s arrayed across 35-acres of woodland Ohio. The world whirls by at a none-too-sedate 65 mph.
- The forefathers who laid out Williamsburg, Va. never saw this one coming – a 205-foot, 90-degree, 75-mph construct called Griffon that lives at Busch Gardens. It’s the world’s tallest dive coaster, a heart-pounding thrill producer that redefines the word “rush.” If Griffon’s too short for you there’s Mäch Tower, all 240 jaw-dropping feet of it. The ride affords a great view of the surrounding countryside – assuming you’re brave enough to unsquinch your eyelids.
Story by Jerry Chandler
(Image: Intamin10)
