Amusement Parks in New England
WATER FUN
Funtown-Splashtown, USA (Rte One of Exit 2B)
Maine offers Funtown/Splashtown, USA, where families can enjoy water and non-water related amusement rides. They can ride New England’s “tallest logflume ride” and “Maine’s only wooden roller coaster” as well as choose from a variety of kiddie rides for young children and water park adventures in Splashtown and it’s subsection Pirates Paradise.
Water Country (Portsmouth, NH; www.watercountry.com)
Water Country is probably New England’s most popular water-themed park. It includes a wave pool, a whirlpool, several theme pools with slides and coves, a kiddie pool area, a river ride, several waterslides, and several raft rides. In short, just about any way you choose to get soaked, Water Country can provide it.
Water Wizz Cape Cod (http://www.waterwizz.com/)
Water Wizz on Massachusetts’s Cape Cod also offers a wide range of water fun include a wave pool, several tube rides, several different water slides, a flume and several kiddie areas. There’s also a min-golf course for those wishing to stay on dry ground.
FOR THE LITTLE ONES
Storyland (Glen NH, 603-383-4186) (Rte 16, 150 miles from Boston, 70 miles from Portland)
StoryLand is located in New Hampshire. It’s a great amusement park for kids, say, eight and under. The park’s theme is, well, stories: Cinderella’s castle, Peter Pumpkin’s pumpkin house, the shoe where the old woman lived, etc. Rides include swan boats, a carousel, small roller coasters, and other kid-sized, but adult-enjoyable rides. There’s also an area where people can play carnival-type games. It’s a small park, compared to your Six Flags or Disney World, but that gives it a kind of old fashioned charm. A hit with small children!
Edaville, USA (www.edaville.com)
In Massachusetts, Edaville, USA aka Edaville Railroad is another old-time amusement park especially beloved by little kids. This park features trains, trains, and more trains. Rides include the Gandy Dancer Railroad and AJ’s Express, plus, of course, the Edaville train. Other kiddie rides, plus a Ferris wheel, tilter-whirl, and scrambler for older ones. Also hosts special events like the Cranberry Festival. Open weekends only.
FOR YOUR GENERAL AMUSEMENT:
Canobie Lake Park ( Salem, NH, 603-893-3506) (Rte 93, Exit 2)
Canobie Lake Park is another classic New Hampshire amusement park. Geared more to people of all ages, the park is over 100 years old, meaning it’s been enjoyed by multiple generations of families. Rides include a log flume, several roller coasters, a carousel, games, “over a dozen kiddie rides” and many other rides plus live shows and fireworks. Only 35 minutes from Boston.
Six Flags Over New England (Springfield, MA http://www.sixflags.com/parks/newengland/)
Six Flags New England is located in Massachusetts. Fans of the Six Flags chain will find this park to be on a par with other locales. It includes crazy roller coasters, entertainment, games, and food.
Quassy Amusement Park (Middlebury, CT) (Lake Quassapoag, Rte 64, 1-800-FOR -PARK; www.quassy.com)
Connecticut’s Quassy Park opened in 1908. The park offers 24 amusement rides including the Big Flush Roller Coaster, a tilt-a-whirl, the Monster roller coaster and a kiddie section (including a antique merry-go-round). There are also boat cruises and swimming on-site.
Ocean Beach Park (1-800-510-SAND)
Connecticut’s Ocean Beach Park offers a diverse array of amusements for visitors. These include old school rides “lovingly restored” – like a carousel and kiddie rides, plus a waterslide. The park, along the beach and boardwalk, also offers an Olympic-sized swimming pool if you prefer freshwater to salt. There’s also an arcade and “family fun center”. There’s also a mini-golf
Atlantic Beach Park (www.atlanticbeachpark.com) (Misquamicut Beach, RI)
Rhode Island’s Atlantic Beach Park is also a throwback to “beach recreation” of the past. Here, kiddie rides, a restored carousel, bumper cars, and an arcade with over 70 games. It’s also connected to Bayview Funpark which has a go-cart track, bumper boats and a mini-golf course. There’s also a WaterWizz with six water slides.
