6 Western Pennsylvania amusement parks for all ages

Seeking an adrenaline rush, a fun-filled outing with family, or a nostalgic ride on a childhood-favorite roller coaster? Western Pennsylvania’s amusement parks offer all of this and more, with rides and attractions that will thrill visitors and make lasting memories. Here are 6 amusement parks—some more than a century old and a few with new attractions—to check out this summer.

Erie-area families have flocked to Waldameer—German for “woods by the sea”—for more than 125 years. Near the Lake Erie shore, this park got its start when the Erie Electric Motor Company, then the city’s main trolley company, purchased the former picnic grove in 1896. Over the next century, the park added more rides and attractions, including Pirates’ Cove, which will celebrate its 50th year this summer.

Visitors will find all the family favorites: the Ferris wheel, the Dodgems bumper cars, and the merry-go-round. Rides for smaller children are grouped in the shadow of the Ravine Flyer II, a wooden roller coaster that often tops wooden roller-coaster rankings and hurtles along at a top speed of 60 mph through 4 tunnels and over an arched bridge that soars above Peninsula Drive. Thunder River, the park’s log flume ride, ferries riders through rapids and hills, culminating in a 45-degree plunge into a splash pool.

Waldameer opened its own water park in 1986. Since then, Water World has expanded to include multiple slides, 2 heated pools for relaxing, the Battle of Lake Erie family complex, and the Giant Wave Pool, which accommodates up to 1,000 people.

Information: While park admission and parking are free, Waldameer is a “cashless” park. Visitors can purchase day or season passes for the attractions, or they can buy a Wally Card, which is similar to a debit card, and pay as they go. The Wally Card can be used for rides, as well as food and drink vendors, shops, and midway games. Season passes range from $98.50 to $124. Day passes range from $26.26 to $49.50. Wally Cards can also be purchased and reloaded with funds to pay for individual rides, food, and games. The park is open from mid-May through Labor Day. Hours vary according to the time of year. The park is closed on Wednesdays during high season, which is bookended by periods during which the park is open only on weekends and holidays. (877) 817-1009.

In West Mifflin, Kennywood’s 125th anniversary observance starts this year ahead of the actual event in 2023. One way to celebrate: The Kangaroo is back! This beloved ride, dubbed as a “flying coaster” by its creator, debuted in 1962 and inspired the creation of park mascot Kenny Kangaroo. After its 2020 retirement, the public pleaded for the ride’s return, so the park reopened it after modernizing its operating system while retaining the original look and feel.

The attractions, the vendors, and the general feel of the park have made Kennywood a local favorite for generations. Rides range from the SS Kenny boat ride and the Lil’ Phantom kiddie roller coaster to the exhilarating Sky Rocket, which reaches 50 mph in 3 seconds. The wooden Thunderbolt roller coaster caters to nostalgia, while the colossal Steel Curtain speeds through 4,000 feet of track, reaching 76 mph while twisting through 9 inversions.

Information: Season passes range from $79.99 to $179.99 (Internet rates; the Platinum pass includes admission to Idlewild/Soak Zone and Sandcastle Waterpark). Adult single-day admission varies; find the best rate on the park’s website when booking in advance. The park is open from mid-April to mid-September (and also around Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas—check the website for dates, hours, and admission rates). The park is open daily during high season, which is bookended by periods during which the park is open only on weekends and holidays. (412) 461-0500.

Just over 50 miles southeast of Pittsburgh in Ligonier, Idlewild is Pennsylvania’s longest-operating amusement park and the country’s third oldest. To celebrate its 145th season in 2022, Idlewild plans to host several events this summer, including a KidFest in June, with family-friendly activities, character meet-and-greets, and kid-centric entertainment. In July, Neighbor Days will feature live music, dance and cheerleading competitions, and local food and beverage vendors. An August event is still in the planning stages. 

Idlewild’s traditional rides, like the Scrambler, the Spider, and the Tilt-A-Whirl, cater to older children and adults. Younger visitors will enjoy the kiddie rides in Raccoon Lagoon, a trolley ride through Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, and interactive attractions in the Jumpin’ Jungle.

Looking to cool down on a hot summer day? Bring your bathing suit and splash around at the SoakZone, where the thrilling Pipeline Plunge, the Tipping Bucket, and the Wowabunga Family Wave Pool will have you beating the heat in no time.

Information: Season passes range from $69.99 to $179.99 (Internet rates; the Platinum pass includes admission to Kennywood, Sandcastle Waterpark, and other parks); daily ticket prices range from $39.99 to $51.99 depending on the forecasted attendance for the day. The park is open from late May until late October. Hours vary according to the time of year. The park begins its season by opening Saturday–Monday, then is open daily until late August, after which it is open only on weekends and holidays. (724) 238-3666.

Vintage ride aficionados will feel welcome at Altoona’s Lakemont Park, home to Leap-The-Dips, the world’s oldest wooden roller coaster. As it chugs its way up the first big hill before racing around a figure-8 track, this national historic landmark is as thrilling today as it was when it was built in 1902.

Another popular ride, the 18-passenger Skyliner, is thought to be one of the only L-shaped wooden coasters still operating in the country. Opened in 1960 at Roseland Park in Canandaigua, New York, it debuted at Lakemont in 1987. The park also offers the Lil’ Leaper, a roller coaster just for youngsters.

Visitors can test their driving skills at the Motorway Go-Karts, where 10 single-seater cars and 6 double-seater cars can race around the track. The Tin Lizzy Antique Auto track offers a more tranquil driving experience. Other attractions include 2 miniature golf courses, basketball courts, paddleboats, sand volleyball courts, and batting cages.

The park’s pay-to-play admission option makes it a great family-centric destination, so anyone who doesn’t wish to ride can also join in the fun without paying a full entry fee.

Information: All-day passes are $19.95; evening rates (after 5 p.m.) are $15.95. Tickets can also be purchased for individual rides; prices vary. The park is open from May through mid-September. Hours vary according to the time of year. The park is closed on Mondays until late August; after that, it’s open only on weekends and Labor Day. (800) 434-8006.

Fun Fore All, just north of Pittsburgh in Cranberry Township, has indoor and outdoor attractions to keep families busy all day. Kids and adults can battle it out in the bumper cars or race along the looping go-kart track. Kiddie fare includes the Fiesta Express roller coaster and Balloon Ride.

For those itching to do something sporty, the park offers dual 18-hole miniature golf courses that are landscaped with several waterfalls. Those skilled—or lucky—enough to get a hole-in-one on the 18th green will win a coupon for a free sundae at a nearby Dairy Queen. Sluggers can take swings in the 9 batting cages, where they can choose from slow, medium, or fast pitching speeds.

Fun Fore All’s video game arcade has more than 70 games that include old favorites like Pac-Man and pinball machines as well as head-to-head games where players compete. For a more high-tech experience, the XD Dark Ride interactive movie experience transports players into 6 different movies, including the new Neon Ninja, where they can run, fly, and jump though the stunning graphics while battling other players.

Information: Admission to the park is free; fees vary by attraction. Visitors can purchase reloadable Fun Cards or Timed Play Passes to access the games and rides. The park opens daily at noon year-round (closing hours vary according to the time of year); outdoor activities are weather permitting. (724) 779-1800.

6. Sandcastle Waterpark

Pittsburgh might have 3 rivers, but the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio don’t offer nearly the excitement and opportunities for fun as Sandcastle, the city’s hometown water park.

The park features water attractions for all ages, including the kid-friendly 2-foot-deep Tad Pool, where youngsters can get a feel for water rides and gentle slides, and the Mushroom Pool, whose 4-foot depth allows beginners to build their swimming skills and confidence. Once they’re ready, children—and adults—can slide alone or with another rider in the 450-foot Blue Tubaluba, the park’s first dual-rider enclosed slide. The Mon-Tsunami Wave Pool brings the ocean’s waves to Western Pennsylvania: The 20,000-square foot pool ranges from 0 to 6 feet deep, making it a great destination for the whole family.

For a more intense experience, try Sandcastle’s newest attraction, Bombs Away, featuring a launch capsule that propels riders at 26 feet per second through a high-altitude, free-fall body slide. On Boardwalk Blasters, also not for the faint-hearted, riders speed down a 25-foot slide that ends in a 7-foot free-fall into a 12-foot-deep landing pool.

Additional enhancements for 2022 include an update to the Mushroom Pool, renovated boardwalk food stands, and improvements to the Wave Pool.

Information: Season passes range from $59.99 to $179.99 (Internet rates; the Platinum pass includes admission to Kennywood and Idlewild/SoakZone.) The park typically opens for Memorial Day weekend, and then is open daily from the first Saturday in June through late August. After that, it’s open on weekends and holidays only until mid-September. (412) 462-6666.

Pamela Hunt, a freelance writer in Burlington, Vermont, grew up in Erie and Elk counties and will always be a Western Pennsylvania girl at heart.