Pennsylvania amusement parks...

If you like traditional amusement parks, Pennsylvania is the place to go! And definitely visit Knoebels - one of my favorite places.

KNOEBELS
Location: Elysburg, PA
Distance: 4.5 hours
Opening date: Now open
New for 2007: Flying Turns, a wooden bobsled roller coaster. These were popular in the 1930’s and then slowly disappeared. This will be the only one of its kind in the world when it opens! See more construction photos here.
Similar to: Unique and highly recommended for all ages! Free parking, free admission, very reasonable prices, and some of the best wooden roller coasters in the country!


CONNEAUT LAKE PARK
Location: Conneaut Lake, PA
Distance: 2.5 hours
Opening date: It looks like the park will remain closed this year. Hopefully, it will re-open in 2008.
Similar to: A smaller version of what Crystal Beach used to be.


WALDEMEER PARK
Location: Erie, PA
Distance: 2 hours
Opening date: May 12th
New for 2007: XScream 140-foot Drop Tower
Similar to: A smaller Fantasy Island


KENNYWOOD
Location: West Mifflin, PA
Distance: 4 hours
Opening date: May 5th
New for 2007: Cosmic Chaos thrill ride (pictured) & S.S. Kenny kiddie ride
Similar to: Canada’s Wonderland


DELGROSSO’S PARK
Location: Tipton, PA
Distance: 4 hours
Opening date: May 6th
Similar to: A small Fantasy Island


LAKEMONT PARK
Location: Altoona, PA
Distance: 4.5 hours
Opening date: May 19th
Similar to: Fantasy Island. Remember Roseland is Canandaigua? This is where the Roseland Skyliner wooden roller coaster now is. This is also the home of the world's oldest roller coaster, Leap-the-Dips.


IDLEWILD PARK
Location: Ligonier, PA
Distance: 4.5 hours
Opening date: May 24th
New for 2007: Flying Aces, a Flying Scooters ride
Similar to: Fantasy Island


HERSHEYPARK
Location: Hershey, PA
Distance: 5.5 hours
Opening date: May 4th
New for 2007: The Boardwalk at Hersheypark - a new section of the park covering over 200,00 square feet and including interactive water-play experiences.
Similar to: Canada’s Wonderland


DORNEY PARK
Location: Allentown, PA
Distance: 5.5 hours
Opening date: May 5th
New for 2007: AquaRacer, a six-lane mat racing waterslide.
Similar to: Darien Lake


SESAME PLACE
Location: Langhorne, PA
Distance: 6.5 hours
Opening date: May 5th
New for 2007: Elmo’s World - a new land with 3 new rides.
Similar to: Unique. It’s an entire amusement park for kids based on Sesame Street!