Amusement parks near Washington, D.C., are a great way to break up the museum and monument hopping that inevitably fill any trip to the nation's capital, with a number of rides suitable to all ages and thrill levels. As part of a Huffington Post Travel series on family-fun parks, here is our guide to all the key information visitors need to know about Washington, D.C., amusement parks.
Kings Dominion
is one of the closest large amusement parks to Washington, D.C., and offers a good selection of thrill rides, including a variety of roller coasters as well as a water park area. Planet Snoopy is an attraction area dedicated to young children, so even the littlest members of the family can join the fun. This clean, well-maintained park is located approximately 75 miles south of Washington, D.C., and can be easily reached by Interstate 95.
Intimidating Heights
The
is Kings Dominion's newest coaster, and at 305 feet, it is the tallest and fastest
on the East Coast. This coaster was named in honor of the late NASCAR driver Dale "The Intimidator" Earnhardt and the cars are painted black to match the color of his race car. The lines move reasonably fast, and there is also a line for single riders, which normally moves faster than the regular line. This is an intense ride, and
reported that there were alleged blackouts before Kings Dominion took steps to slow down the ride.
Coasters For All Ages
In addition to the Intimidator 305, Kings Dominion has several other notable roller coasters, including the
, which takes riders through an underwater tunnel, and
, which has three barrel-roll inversions.
can enjoy rides tailor-made for their size and can also take pictures with "Peanuts" characters.
Classic Park Fare
Kings Dominion offers standard park fare, as well as some well-known fast food options, such as Panda Express for Chinese food and Chick-fil-A. For dessert, most guests have a hard time resisting the delicious funnel cakes. For those who prefer to bring their own lunches, there are three picnic areas located in the parking lot.
Safety Record
According to
, Kings Dominion had 41 reported injuries in 2010, including complaints of neck and back pain. Additionally, the Intimidator 305 has had a number of people report that they have suffered a blackout while on this ride. Riders have reported a number of incidents on
, including a report that a raft flipped over on the Whitewater Canyon attraction.
also indicate that a student fell from the Shockwave roller coaster to his death in 1999.
Address: 16000 Theme Park Way, Doswell, VA 23047Phone: 804-876-5000Hours: From May 30 through Sept. 5, the park is open every day, opening between 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. and closing anywhere between 6 p.m. and midnight. The park operates on a limited schedule during September and October, then closes from November through March. During April, May and spring breaks, Kings Dominion operates on a limited schedule; see the website or call the park for more detail.Price: Riders under 48 inches or over 62 years of age, $36.99; 48 inches or taller, $47.99; ages 2 and under, free
Six Flags America, Baltimore/Washington, D.C.
Six Flags America is located approximately 15 minutes from Washington, D.C., making it the closest large amusement park to the nation's capital. This amusement park is well stocked with thrill rides, including a few superhero-themed roller coasters: Superman, Ride of Steel and the Batman-influenced Batwing. In addition, younger kids will be excited to find attractions for their needs in the Looney-Tunes-inspired area.
The Batwing
Six Flags America's signature ride is the
roller coaster. By suspending riders in a horizontal position, this coaster gives riders the sensation of flying as they speed through the many twists and turns, sometimes on their stomachs and sometimes on their backs. If you don't like waiting in line, Six Flags sells Flash Passes, which allow riders to avoid long waits.
Tamer Thrills
In addition to the wild roller coaster rides, Six Flags has
, such as roadster cars on rails that riders can pretend to drive, as well as a white-water rafting ride. This park also boasts a large water attraction area -- the
, one of many water rides, sends riders down a mind-numbing seven-story drop through a funnel.
Subs And More
In addition to standard amusement park dining options such as burgers and hot dogs, Six Flags America offers Subway restaurants at several locations in the park. For a little taste of the 50s, Six Flags America also has a Johnny Rockets Express.
Safety Record
For 2010, the
lists four incidents that resulted in back pain. In 2007, the park's Two-Face: The Flip Side ride stopped, leaving riders stranded for about 40 minutes. Afterward, two people were taken to the hospital for observation.
Address: 13710 Central Ave., Bowie/Mitchellville, MD 20721Phone: 301-249-1500Hours: From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the park generally opens at 10:30 a.m. and closes between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. The park is also open on a limited basis during the spring and during October for Halloween events.Price: Age 2 and under, free; junior, under 48 inches, $34.99; general admission, $54.99. Look online for specials. Retail outlets in the Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland areas also often have coupons for discounted rates to Six Flags America.
Other Noteworthy Parks Near Washington, D.C.
Have you been to an amusement park near Washington, D.C.?
Check out more AMUSEMENT PARKS.
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