Nothing screams summer more than hurtling down a roller coaster hill or watching your child enjoy the thrill of his first Ferris wheel ride. Lucky for Washington, D.C. families, you don’t have to go too far to do it! Pack up the car and take a day trip to one of the five closest amusement parks to the area. (Want to make it a weekend getaway? Places like Kennywood and Hersheypark are only three hours away—and guaranteed fun for the entire family.)
1. Six Flags America, Upper Marlboro, MD
Where: 13710 Central Ave, Upper Marlboro, MD
Located right outside the District, this park has tons of crazy coasters big kids will love. The park’s newest extreme ride, Firebird Floorless Coaster is quite the thrill—it throttles riders at a top speed of 56 mph along a 2,900-foot track, with nothing between the rider’s feet and the rails below. There’s also a nine-foot drop along the way! Little ones, though, will be most excited by the Looney Tunes Town—an area of the park for kids under six. There are trains, carousels and bumper cars to ride, plus costumed cartoon characters cruise around and perform dances and story times on the Looney Tunes stage. Other parts of the amusement park have rides the entire family can enjoy together like the balloon ride, Ferris wheel and teacups. Big performances like the Battle in the Badlands and musical acts are a great way to take a break from the rides. Best of all, your tickets include access to the water slides and wave pools, including the Wahoo River!
2. Adventure Park USA, Monrovia, MD
Where: 11113 West Baldwin, New Market, MD
The carnival is always in town at Adventure Park. Indoor fun like the soft playground, laser tag, ropes course, rock climbing wall, bumper cars and arcade are open year-round. From June through August, families can head outside for the tilt-o-whirl-type rides, go-karts, mini golf, bumper boats and midway games. The Frog Hopper and Tumbleweed Roller Coaster are our favorite Lil’ Tykes Attractions. Also, the gem mining station is particularly cool, combining frontier mining and geology lessons. You may want to check out a movie night or Super Saturdays, where you can ride unlimited rides for $19 between 10am and noon.
3. Kings Dominion, Doswell, VA
Where: 16000 Theme Park Way, Doswell, VA
Located one hour and some change drive from D.C. in Doswell, Virginia (near Richmond), this park is packed with attractions for all ages. Rides are grouped into two categories: thrill rides which tumble and terrify and family rides to more gently move young bodies. Planet Snoopy is location central for kids (from infants to elementary schoolers) with more than 20 rides that don’t go too fast or upside down, and character meet-ups with the Peanuts gang. Many of the rides are also named after the Peanuts. Admission to the adjoining water park, Soak City, is also included, so be sure to pack your suits and sunscreen to enjoy water slides, lazy rivers, splash pads and wave pools. From July 20 to September 2, monster truck lovers will want to check out the Monster Jam Thunder Alley area.
4. Funland, Rehoboth Beach, DE
Where: 6 Delaware Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, DE
D.C. families who frequent the Delaware beaches are probably already fans of Funland in Rehoboth. This boardwalk-style indoor and outdoor amusement park is surprisingly packed with rides, midway games and a well-stocked arcade. Older kids can scare themselves in the Haunted Mansion or scream on the Seadragon—even your hard-to-please tweens will have a great time. Little ones will dig the array of circling rides where they can steer fire trucks, motorcycles and rockets. The fun never stops, especially since the beach is within walking distance. New this year? The SuperFlip 360, for those who love spins, thrills and going upside down.
5. Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, VA
Where: 1 Busch Gardens Boulevard, Williamsburg, VA
Incredibly entertaining shows and amazing food are what set Busch Gardens apart from other large amusement parks in the three-hour drive category. From mini-musicals to large-scale dance numbers, a family can spend a great part of their day enjoying the park’s off-Broadway line-up. But you wouldn’t want to miss the spectacular roller coasters and family-friendly rides. Parents with strollers and baby carriers will appreciate the train transportation to efficiently shuttle families from one end of the park to another. The park is divided into six countries: Germany, Italy, Ireland, Scotland, France and French Canada, each containing culturally-themed performers, rides and design. Food from all over the world gives families lots of meal options and provides healthy, welcome departures from the typical fast-food fare. And be sure to remember your bathing suit—Busch Gardens’ Water Country USA is Virginia’s largest waterpark!
