Looking for an amusement park that's great for everyone in the family, no matter their ages? I've put together an amusement park guide that lists the main amusement and water parks within 400 miles of Beaver County. Each listing has location info, website, pricing, discounts, and a short overview. A word about AAA discounts: AAA Discounts are only available online after logging onto the AAA website with your membership information and ordering tickets. You CAN NOT show up at a park, show your AAA card, and expect to get a discount. The same goes for Giant Eagle Advantage cards! So plan and buy in advance if possible.
Kennywood Park
Location: 4800 Kennywood Boulevard, West Mifflin, PA 15122
Distance from Beaver County: about 40 miles
Prices: Regular Funday--$39.99
Junior (less than 46") -- $26.99
Senior (55+)--$19.99
Night Rider pass (after 5 p.m.): $24.99
Kids 2 & under --FREE
Front of the line passes are available
Discounts: Available through Giant Eagle (although these sell out quickly) and AAA. Night Rider tickets (entering the park after 5 p.m.) are also discounted. Also, like their Facebook page and go to Fan Specials for $5 off coupons on a FunDay admission. Their Facebook Fan Special page also has BOGO for $5 Days for June 27, July 11, July 15, July 30 and July 31. AAA discount: $8 off an adult ticket.
Overview: Pittsburgh’s oldest and most popular family park, home to rollercoasters, thrill rides, Kiddieland, and of course, Potato Patch fries.
Idlewild and SoakZone
Location: Rt. 30 East, Ligonier, PA 15658
Distance from Beaver County: About 80 miles
Prices: Regular Admission--$36.99* each (buy tickets online and save $7)
Senior Citizen Admission (age 60 and Older)--$2y.99* each (buy tickets online and save $11)
Next Day Pass (Sign up at Guest Services)--$18.99 each
Children 2 years and under--FREE
Discounts: Available at Giant Eagle. AAA Discount: $7 off an adult admission. Buy online and save $7 to get regular admission tickets for $29.99.
Overview: Perfect for families and younger kids, this park has been rated the “Best Kids Park in the World” and one of the “Best Parks for Families.” SoakZone, the waterpark, is included in the price of admission, making this a great “two parks in one” feature.
Hersheypark and Boardwalk
Location: 100 W. Hersheypark Drive, Hershey, PA 17033
Distance from Beaver County: 252 miles
Prices: Regular, Ages 9-54--$57.95
Junior, Ages 3-8--$36.95
Senior, Ages 55-69--$36.95
Senior Plus, Ages 70+--$23.95
Children Ages 2 & under FREE
Discounts: Purchase your Hershey Park tickets at participating Giant Food Stores to save $11.00 off regular admission or $2.00 off junior/senior admission. There is also a Sunset admission option. AAA Discount: $8 off an adult admission, $2 off a child admission.
Overview: Hersheypark debuted a new rollercoaster in 2012, Skyrush. This is a great one- or two-day trip and has a waterpark onsite! Plus, there’s plenty of chocolate, and that’s always good.
Waldameer & Water World
Location: Erie, PA 16505
Distance from Beaver County: 126 miles
Prices: 48 inches and over--$28.50
Under 48 inches--$20
Unlimited use of both parks for 1 day!
Discounts: order your tickets online and save $3 on a combo ticket for only $23.50
Overview: This park is at the entrance to Presque Isle on the shores of Lake Erie. It has over 75 rides and attractions, including a water park.
Splash Lagoon
Location: 8091 Peach Street, Erie PA 16509
Distance from Beaver County: 120 miles
Prices: Day pass admission rates, must be reserved two days in advance to guarantee you'll get in.
Over 42 inches tall--$39.95
42 inches tall and under--$29.95
Spectator pass--$19.95
Two and under--Free
There are also package deals offered with area hotels.
Discounts: They're sometimes are announced on their Facebook page. Also, check out their coupon page on their website, where they offer coupons for full day and military admissions. If you go after 4 p.m., day passes are offered for a lower price.
Overview: Splash Lagoon is an indoor waterpark in Erie. It has tons of slides, some kids’ play areas and little slides, a brand new wave pool, and hotels and restaurants that are connected right to the waterpark.
Cedar Point & Soak City
Location: One Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky, OH 44870
Distance from Beaver County: 159 miles
Prices: Single Day Adult Online--$44.99 / Gate: $51.99
Single Day Jr/Sr Online--$29.99 / Gate: $29.99
Two Days Ride & Slide: $82.99 (This ticket is valid for admission on 2 days at both Cedar Point and Soak City on the same 2 days. Junior/Senior pricing also available.)
Single Day Starlight Ticket Online--$34.99 (This ticket is valid after 5 p.m. when Cedar Point closes at 10 p.m. or later and valid after 4 p.m. when Cedar Point closes before 10 p.m.)
VIP line passes available
Discounts: Buy your Single Day Adult tickets in advance and they are just $44.99 each--a savings of $7 per ticket! Also, if you stay at a Cedar Point Hotel, you can get $34 one-day tickets for adults and $21 junior/senior tickets. You'll also get into the park early.
Overview: The biggest park within 200 miles, it has everything and draws visitors from at least 5 states. So you will be standing in line A LOT. But these are some of the biggest, baddest rides in the country—and you can get to them in about three hours. Plan to spend a few days and get there EARLY if possible.
Dutch Wonderland
Location: 2249 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, PA 17602
Distance from Beaver County: 275 miles
Prices: Ages 3-59--$36.75
Ages 60-69--$31.75
Ages 70+--$23.99
Ages 2 and younger: free
Overview: A great family amusement park in Lancaster that may not be on your radar. It’s designed for younger kids and also has a waterplay area.
Knoebels Amusement Park
Location: 391 Knoebels Boulevard, Elysburg, PA 17824
Distance from Beaver County: 275 miles
Price: Free Admission; you pay for tickets to ride on attractions or pay one price on certain days
Discounts: Bulk ride ticket discounts offered; WEEKDAY SPECIAL (Monday - Friday - except holidays): $5 Book of Tickets is $4.50; $10 book of tickets is $9; $20 book of tickets is $18.
Overview: There are kiddie rides, thrill rides, and family rides at this park, which bills itself as “America’s Largest Free Admission Park.” Knoebels also has two campgrounds and a water park.
Great Wolf Lodge, Sandusky
Location: 4600 Milan Road (US 250), Sandusky, OH 44870
Distance from Beaver County: 155 miles
Prices: Water park prices for Great Wolf are built into the hotel stay that you must use in order to visit the park. Rooms and family suites range from $199 a night to $350 and up, depending on how many people sleep in a room.
Discounts: Great Wolf offers deals on rooms and dining for kids. Check out their deals page for more information.
Overview: There are rides and slides for parents and kids of all ages at this indoor water park!
Kings Island and Soak City
Location: 6300 Kings Island Dr, Mason, OH 45040
Distance from Beaver County: 271 miles
Prices: Single Day Adult--Online: $37.99 / Gate: $54.99
Single Day Jr/Sr--Online: $33.99 / Gate: $33.99
Discounts: Save $17 on a single day adult ticket if you buy your tickets in advance and print them at home. They also have several dining plans to choose from.
Overview: Kings Island is celebrating its 40 anniversary this year, and has expanded the already-large water park and added more dining options. This park also has tons of thrill rides and areas for younger kids.
