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A trip to a Midwest theme park is a rite of passage for any family with kids who love roller coasters, water slides, or eating funnel cake for lunch. After enough summers spent chasing three energetic boys across wave pools and standing in long lines for roller coasters that last two minutes, this list of the best amusement parks in the Midwest practically wrote itself.
Each of the following parks delivers the kind of rambunctious fun that results in memories, tired legs, and the occasional lost shoe (or cousin… but that’s a whole story on its own). Here, friends, is our best advice on where to find the most thrilling coasters, liveliest entertainment, and friendliest spots for families of all ages and stages.
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Cedar Point in Sandusky, OH
There is a reason that Cedar Point is known as the roller coaster capital of the world. Yes, guests will build buns of steal while climbing a mountain’s worth of stairs for all of a 30-second giga-coaster, however, that rush of dopamine makes it all worth it. Millennium Force, Top Thrill Dragster (when it’s open), and Steel Vengeance (which all have names that sound like heavy metal bands for a reason), are all guaranteed to deliver an adrenaline rush that will make survivors feel like Superman.
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I remember two years ago when my middle child declared that he was “definitely tall enough” for the Steel Vengeance, then clung to his seat with eyes shut and screamed, “I regret this!” the entire ride. Lucky for him, we were able to hop over to the water park to spend the rest of the day cooling off.
Cedar Point Shores Waterpark brought the chill factor.
Families with little ones won’t feel left out as Camp Snoopy saves the day. Families, do check out Snoopy’s very own Red Baron; the delight on the faces of the fearless preschoolers soaring through the air speaks for themselves. This place oozes with fun and cuteness!
Tickets start at $49.99 for a single day. Group ticket sales are available.
Siren’s Curse, the tallest, fastest and longest “tilt” roller coaster in North America, is set to wow thrill-seekers in 2025. ©Cedar Point
Where To Stay In Sandusky
Great Wolf Lodge Sandusky is great for families. It has an indoor water park, themed suites, and multiple on-site dining options.
Kings Island in Mason, OH
I grew up going to Kings Island each and every summer. It was the first place where I experienced a roller coaster – The Beast. At that time, it was the longest wooden coaster in the world. It was also the first place where I bit into a candy apple. All this to say, Kings Island holds a special place in my heart.
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Families will find a wide array of classic rides and nostalgic fun. And parents of those still rocking Velcro shoes will get a kick out of Planet Snoopy. Teens and tweens will have loads of fun getting drenched at Soak City Water Park. (Do be sure to have dry clothes and a big fluffy towel waiting nearby!)
Tickets start at $49.
Where To Stay In Mason
Hyatt Place Cincinnati Northeast delivers spacious rooms with separate living areas, complimentary breakfast, and an indoor pool.
One thing is for sure, this beagle knows how to have fun! ©Kings Island
Michigan’s Adventure in Muskegon, MI
Michigan’s Adventure might be one of the most underrated great parks in the Midwest. It delivers on classic family fun and has just enough thrill rides to keep teens from sulking. Shivering Timbers hustles riders up a 125-foot climb just to toss them back down 122 feet at a 55-degree angle. It lives up to its name. Trust.
WildWater Adventure is chock-full of splashy options and one epic wave pool, Commotion Ocean. But this momma’s heart belongs to the Lazy River.
In terms of price, this is one of the most affordable. Tickets start at an early-2000s-style, $39.99.
Where To Stay In Muskegon
Shoreline Inn and Conference Center, Ascend Hotel Collection is right on Muskegon Lake. With an indoor heated pool, a seasonal outdoor pool, a hot tub, and on-site dining, this is the perfect place for families to rest after a busy day at the park.
Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO
I know this for sure: Branson is the only place in the Midwest where the whole family can ride coasters, visit an 1880s-themed town, and also learn about the seriously diverse range of job opportunities in the field of blacksmithing.
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Silver Dollar City is a special kind of place. One where you might find yourself ripping through the sky in a prairie bonnet. And The Time Traveler, a spinning coaster with wild inversions, is the perfect place to do just that. (The nice thing about a bonnet is it won’t fly off your head when you find yourself upside down!)
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Guests will love the live performances which pop up all day long, from gospel to saloon acts. The live music is part of the charm.
Tickets start at $84 and group ticket sales are available.
Where To Stay In Branson
Families will love Big Cedar Lodge in Branson. Besides the fact that great fishing and hiking are just steps outside the front door, this hotel has a lazy river, multiple pools, a spa, and onsite dining.
Still alive…Photo by Rina Nehdar
Nickelodeon Universe in Bloomington, MN
Inside the Mall of America, Nickelodeon Universe lets kids burn off sugar under a roof without parents worrying about sunscreen or sudden thunderstorms. It’s the only place I know where a roller coaster throttles right past a Build-A-Bear. (Fun note: the ticket to the park will cost less than one of those bears.)
My tweens love SpongeBob’s Rock Bottom Plunge, which is the tallest coaster in the park at almost 75 feet. It brings big thrills! There are over 25 rides at this indoor park. That’s plenty of time for Mama to sneak away and shop all by herself for at least an hour or two!
Unlimited ride wristbands start at $41.99 on Deal Days. There is free entry to the mall; pay per ride or go unlimited.
Where To Stay In Bloomington
Just a trot over the skywalk will bring families to Radisson Blu Mall of America. While convenience is its major selling point, guests will not be disappointed in the heated indoor pool, full-service spa, and turndown service.
Indoor pool time is always a highlight. ©Radisson Blu
[ctt template=”5″ link=”dbk0h” via=”no” ]Looking for the ultimate family getaway? These 8 Midwest amusement parks serve up big thrills, bigger smiles, and the friendliest vibes around. [/ctt]
Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari in Santa Claus, IN
This park combines holidays and thrilling rides- which is basically what fuels the brain of every ten-year-old. Holiday World is sectioned off by the holidays, of course: 4th of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. It’s the only place in the world where the family can ride a coaster, Good Gravy, through a Thanksgiving meal!
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Splashin’ Safari, the water park that really should be named after a holiday, boasts some of the largest water slides in the entire Midwest and the self-proclaimed world’s longest water coaster.
The themed rides in each park, like Turkey Whirl, Liberty Launch, and Prancer’s Merry-Go-Round, bring tons of cheer in the summer heat, along with free parking, loads of sunscreen, and plenty of soft drinks.
Tickets start at $59.99 for both parks. Discounts are often available online.
Where To Stay In Santa Claus
It’s Christmas every single day at Santa Claus Lodge. This sweet family hotel has an indoor and outdoor pool, catch and release fishing, and a free continental breakfast.
Adventureland in Altoona, IA
Just outside Des Moines, Adventureland is home to more than 90 rides, shows, and attractions. This is a seriously fun park that brings the same kind of rides that any classic State Fair brings: Tilt-a-Whirl, Ferris Wheels, and Tea Cups. Of course, my teens loved the classics, who doesn’t?! But they really loved the more intense rides like Dragon Slayer and Space Shot. I could’ve sworn I saw a few whiskers emerge as they disembarked from Dragon Slayer.
Adventure Bay Water Park brings water fun for the entire family. There are slides and rides and wave pools, but my favorite was the swim-up bar and lazy river! I almost forgot I was in Iowa.
Tickets from $49.99 and season passes are available.
Rockin’ Rainbow like a swingset, but much, much cooler. ©Adventurelandt
Where To Stay In Altoona
Families can’t go wrong with a stay at Hampton Inn and Suites Altoona. Guests can expect comfortable rooms, an indoor pool, and a free hot breakfast.
Worlds of Fun & Oceans of Fun in Kansas City, MO
This globally-themed playland is really two parks in one. Worlds of Fun for coasters, Oceans of Fun for watery chaos.
Worlds of Fun is divided into five sections- Africa, Americana, Europa, Orient, and Scandinavia. I have to admit that saying we rode on LeTaxi Tour elevates the typical amusement park experience and made me feel a bit more fancy. Of course, little ones get their own playland: Snoopy’s World. (That beagle really gets around!)
Oceans of Fun has a variety of cabanas which is a must when bringing teens to the park. There is no better feeling than settling in under an umbrella with a cool beverage, knowing that your teens are having the best time ever throwing themselves down water slides.
Tickets start at $39.99.
Where To Stay In Kansas City
Embassy Suites by Hilton Kansas City Plaza has a beautiful bi-level indoor pool, a sauna, and complimentary evening drinks. What more could a worn-out mom desire?
Funnel cakes for the win! ©Photo by Bennie Bates on Unsplash
Travel Tips for Theme Park Survival
- Bring a backpack with sunscreen, extra socks, and a poncho that no one will wear until it’s already raining.
- Take advantage of season drink refills- three kids = seven refills per hour.
- Scope out family-friendly areas early to avoid meltdown central.
- Use fast lane options when available. Waiting 90 minutes for a 45-second ride is a test of spiritual endurance. (Just call me Saint Steffy.)
- For longer stays, check for RV sites and nearby hotels. A day at the park can make anyone too tired to drive!
Whether it’s the live shows, the funnel cake, or the desperate sprint to beat the hour drive back to the hotel before someone falls asleep holding a sauced-up corn dog, these parks earn their spot on the family vacay circuit. They’re the perfect place for bonding, competition, and retelling that one time someone barfed after a ride on Steel Vengeance.
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