CHECK OUT THESE AMUSEMENT PARK DESTINATIONS
Pennsylvanians have their love of amusement parks and have had so since the turn of the last century when trolley companies built amusement places as a marketing and revenue- generating tool along , or at the end of their line , to keep ridership up on the weekends .
Today , the Commonwealth boasts more amusement parks than any other in the country ( at least 22 ). The next time you are planning an RV getaway , you may want to check out some of PA ’ s favorites . To find campgrounds near your favorite amusement parks , visit pages 18-28 .
Conneaut Lake Park
Visit : www . newconneautlakepark . com Phone : 814-382-5115
Nestled in the northwest section of the Commonwealth is a small , yet charming amusement park with a lot of character . Conneaut Lake Park ( Crawford County ) has long served as a regional tourist destination and is a popular summer resort for recreational boaters due to there being no horsepower limit on the lake . Center to the park is their signature , 1938- built , Blue Streak roller coaster , which is classified as “ historic ” by the American Coaster Enthusiasts . Conneaut Lake is Pennsylvania ’ s largest natural ( glacier ) lake . The park started in 1892 as Exposition Park and changed names in 1920 to reflect a move toward more amusements and rides .
Unique to Conneaut Lake Park is that for most of its life it functioned as a real-life town within an amusement park , as local traffic and waterfront cottages were interspersed with the amusement rides . Park Avenue and Comstock Street , the park ’ s main walking paths , were shared by both patrons and vehicles alike . While bothersome at times , locals were proud of this arrangement ’ s unique appeal . In an effort to remain competitive , the decision was made to enclose the park for the 1990 season .
DelGrosso ’ s Park & Laguna Splash Water Park
Visit : www . delgrossos . com Phone : 814-684-3538
In 1946 , this family-oriented park located in Tipton , ( Blair County ) was purchased by the spaghetti-sauce making company DelGrosso ’ s that is located across the street . Originally known as Bland ’ s Park , the park offers 32 rides and a 2016 expanded waterpark on the spaghetti-sauce factory side of Old US 220 . Of particular ride interest is their Crazy Mouse spinning roller coaster ; the Tipton Creek Railroad ; Paratrooper and carousel . Kiddieland boasts a nice assortment and variety of rides for the
4 . | EXPLORE PA 2017
By : B . Derek Shaw
younger enthusiast . Laguna Splash is an Italian themed waterpark that opened in 2016 . It is an expansion of the park ’ s existing waterpark amenities featuring a new wave pool ; lazy river , and a variety of water features including a scale version of the Leaning Tower of Pisa , complete with tipping buckets and vases .
Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom
Visit : www . dorneypark . com Phone : 610-395-3724
In 1860 Solomon Dorney built a fish hatchery at his summer resort outside of Allentown ( Lehigh County ). Ten years later he opened it to the public . Built along the Allentown-Kutztown Traction Company rail line , there was a stop at the park which helped keep weekend rail travel ridership up in the early days . After 1923 , the park was owned by the Plarr and Ott families , then by Cedar Fair Entertainment Corporation in the early 1990 ’ s to present . Today the 200 acre amusement park boasts over 40 rides with 22 more found at the adjacent Wildwater Kingdom waterpark complex .
Of the eight roller coasters on property , Steel Force and Talon are the two best steel offerings while Thunderhawk , the venerable 1923 wooden coaster , holds up to the test . It is one of the oldest operating roller coasters in the world , kept in tip-top shape . Other rides that are quite popular include Dominator ( combo turbo drop and space shot ); the 1935 Zephyr Railroad gas-electric train ride ; the 1920 Whip ( one of the last remaining in the country ); Dentzel antique Carousel ; and Apollo and Wave Swinger swing rides .