
(Photo by Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images)
Florida has a lot of amusement parks and 4 here in the Sunshine state have made a list of the best in America.
Amusement parks are a source of excitement and thrill for many people. They provide an escape from the mundane routine of daily life. But what makes an amusement park truly great? Is it the number of rides, fun events and happenings around the park, food offerings?
I think a requirement of a good amusement park is a wide variety of rides. From roller coasters to the vomit-inducing spinning teacups, rides should cater to all levels of thrill-seekers. But it's not just about the rides. A good amusement park should also have plenty of food options. Whether you're in the mood for a juicy hamburger, a delicious funnel cake, or a refreshing ice cream cone that's especially delicious on a hot Florida day, there should be something for everyone.
While I do like rides and delicious food, I really love when the parks do special events. From Mardi Gras celebrations to Food & Wine Festivals and fun holiday festivities, I love seeing what parks do to celebrate the season. I went to Universal Orlando for Mardi Gras last weekend and it was a BLAST! From the food to the parade to the décor around the park, it was amazing!
A newly released report from U.S. News & World Report lists the top amusement parks in the United States for 2023. Parks that made the list have a variety of entertainment options, are easily accessible and have plenty of nearby hotel options. If you're a thrill seeker, we definitely live in the right place as Florida has 4 amusement parks that made the list of the best in America. You can check out their full list of 17 theme parks around the country here, but below are 10 that look like the most fun to me!
Grab your sunscreen and your wallet and get ready for a day of fun!
Best Amusement Parks in America, according to U.S. News & World Report:
Cedar Point: Sandusky, Ohio
Cedar Point is known for having 70+ rides, including 18 roller coasters.
Fun Spot America: Orlando, Florida
Fun Spot America is more affordable than some other theme parks in Orlando and offers smaller roller coasters, drop rides, spin rides and a ferris wheel.
Six Flags Magic Mountain: Valencia, California
Six Flags Magic Mountain is known as "The Thrill Capital of the World" with 19 world-class coasters.
Walt Disney World Resort: Orlando, Florida
Walt Disney World Resort is the most famous in the world with four distinct theme parks: Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom.
SeaWorld San Diego: San Diego, California
SeaWorld San Diego is home to the Emperor – the tallest, fastest and longest dive coaster in California.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay: Tampa, Florida
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay offers theme park action, a water park and a full zoo with more than 200 species of animals.
Disneyland Park: Anaheim, California
California's Disneyland Park is known as "The Happiest Place on Earth".
Universal Orlando Resort: Orlando, Florida
Universal Orlando Resort has 3 parks: Universal Studios showcases characters like "Harry Potter," "Transformers," and "Despicable Me". Universal's Islands of Adventure also features popular characters but with more and bigger rides. Universal's Volcano Bay Water Theme Park has lots of slides and pools for non-stop water fun.
Dollywood: Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Some of the top attractions at Dollywood include the Tennessee Tornado coaster which has a 128-foot drop and the Lightning Rod, a wood and steel hybrid coaster.
Universal Studios Hollywood: Universal City, California
Universal Studios Hollywood has attractions based on popular movie & TV franchises, including "Harry Potter," "King Kong," "The Simpsons" and more.