Summer brings a burning question: “Where are we going for summer vacation?” Summertime = vacation time! And amusement parks offer something for everyone. Museums, festivals, adventure and relaxation at some places. The whole family can find their favorite activity.

We have several we really love.

 

 

Knoebels (pronounced kuh-NO-bels) in Elysburg, PA

o   Knoebels is America’s Largest Free-Admission Amusement Park

o   It has more than 60 rides, including a haunted house ride that was featured on the Discovery Channel, and has won several awards from various amusement park organizations and the Travel Channel

o   The park is free admission, free parking, and free entertainment. Visitors can ride the attractions by purchasing all-day passes ($38) or a book of individual tickets for each attraction ($5, $10, or $20)

o   There are kiddie rides (many of which the children can control themselves – like miniature go-carts, fire trucks, and airplanes), thrill rides, family rides, museums, a bald eagle habitat, and games.

o   The Alamo is a full-service restaurant with a variety of dinner platters, sandwiches, and Italian specialties; there are also ten counter service dining areas and several snacks and refreshment stands

o   Splash around in the water at the giant Crystal Pool – with water slides, diving boards and plenty of space to swim – or the Kiddie Pool for little kids to run under fountains, play with water guns or go on the smaller kiddie slides

o   Knoebels is also home to a golf club

o   Stay a short stroll away from the park at the Knoebels Park Campground, where you can set up a tent, park your camper or rent a cabin.

o   Or the Lake Glory Campground is a drive or shuttle bus away, set in a secluded lake location

o   The Knoebels private Cottages include ovens, refigerators, air condition and private bathrooms and beds

o   For more information, visit knoebels.com

Dollywood in Great Smoky Mountains, TN

o   Theme park owned by Dolly Parton with Herschend Entertainment

o   Home to notable attractions such as the Southern Gospel Museum and Hall of Fame, the Smoky Mountain River Rampage (a whitewater rafting ride), the Dollywood Express steam train, the Chasing Rainbows Dolly Parton museum, and Wild Eagle (America’s first winged roller coaster)

o   Dollywood hosts five festivals each season between the months of March and December – Festival of Nations (five weeks of cultural events by performers from around the world), Barbeque and Bluegrass (bluegrass music and barbeque food festival) Great American Summer (featuring new musical acts and nightly firework displays), the Southern Gospel & Harvest Celebration (featuring gospel music and professional craftsmen) and the Smoky Mountain Christmas (five-time award winner of America’s Best Christmas Event, and features holiday performances and four million holiday lights)

o   Stay at the Dollywood Dream More Resort, surrounded by the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains in Pigeon Forge, near the excitement of Gatlinburg, TN

o   For more information, visit Dollywood.com

Universal Orlando in Orlando, FL 

o   Become immersed in attractions and scenery inspired by some of your favorite movies

o   At the Universal Studios Florida portion of the park, guests are made to feel like they are in a movie set, with scenery based on Hollywood, New York, San Francisco, and London; rides range from the Rip Ride Rocket (a 65mph roller coaster that plays a song of your choice throughout the ride, and is the park’s tallest roller coaster) to the Despicable Me Minion Mayhem (a 3-D family ride through the character Gru’s home laboratory)

o   At the Universal Islands of Adventure Park, only a short stroll down the City Walk from Universal Studios, explore sections dedicated to Marvel Comics, Dr. Seuss, Jurassic Park, and Harry Potter.

o   Harry Potter’s Forbidden Journey ride gives the whole family a chance to explore Harry’s school, Hogwarts, and soar above the castle grounds on a simulated ride. Meanwhile, the Hulk rollercoaster accelerates from zero to 40mph in two seconds flat, with enough force that you will experience the weightlessness of “zero gravity” before taking off on a ride filled with twists, inversions and drops.

o   Along the City Walk, guests can dine at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville, and the Hard Rock Café, among several other restaurants. The City Walk also hosts nightclubs, an AMC Movie Theater, and a Blue Man Group show.

o   Stay within walking distance of the parks at the on-site Portofino Bay Hotel (Italian-themed, featuring a Mandara Spa, three swimming pools and Italian restaurants), Hard Rock Hotel (features a white sand beach pool and rock and roll memorabilia), Royal Pacific Hotel (features a lagoon style pool and a luau) and the Cabana Bay Beach Resort (featuring a 1950s-inspired décor and a bowling alley).

o   For more information, visit universalorlando.com

  Stone Mountain

o   Summit Skyride – takes you up and over the park with a million dollar panoramic view

o   Stone Mountain Museum at Memorial Hall – great for everyone to learn the history of the area and soldiers

o   The Great Locomotive Chase – get your adrenaline going with a thrilling ride with a hair raising chase!

o   For a more relaxed railroad experience take a ride around the park on the Scenic Railroad

o   Go back in time and visit an Antebellum Plantation and farmyard

o   Geyser Tower – stay dry or go for a soaking experience

o   For more information, visit stonemountainpark.com

Six Flags Over Georgia

o   Are you looking for roller coaster madness – here it is:

o   Mind Bender

o   Georgia Cyclone

o   Superman Ultimate Flight

o   Great American Scream Machine

o   Ninja

Wow! Roller coaster madness, right?

And Six Flags Fiesta in San Antonio, Texas has the Batman Ride another great roller coaster from the Six Flags family.

For more information, visit sixflags.com