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Tanner In The Morning

Carolina Amusement Park Coaster Named “Best In The Nation”

Author Rob Tanner

If you like thrill rides, the Carolinas are a good place to live. According to Amusement Today, we have the Best Steel Coaster right in our backyard. The Golden Ticket Awards for 2023 say a Carolina amusement park has a coaster that is “Best in the Nation.”

The Fury 325 is the winner of Best Steel Coaster. Even after a lot of bad press because of cracks that were discovered in the coaster frame. Those have been fixed and the coaster is a big winner.

Carowinds also took home the Turnstile Award for giving new and fresh offerings in a thoughtfully planned atmosphere bringing guests back again and again.

But if you truly want a thrill The Fury 325 is your ride. Here is a partial list of how the Steel coasters across the USA ranked according to Amusement Today.

Rank Name Park Location Supplier Year
1 Fury 325 Carowinds Charlotte, North Carolina B&M 2015
2 Millennium Force Cedar Point Sandusky, Ohio Intamin 2000
3 Jurassic World VelociCoaster Universal Islands of Adventure Orlando, Florida Intamin 2021
4 Steel Vengeance Cedar Point Sandusky, Ohio Rocky Mountain Const. 2018
5 Iron Gwazi Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Tampa, Florida Rocky Mountain Const. 2022

10 Best Amusement Parks in America

America doesn’t lack for having the best amusement parks. Whether you’re a daredevil and want to ride the tallest, scariest roller coasters in the world or prefer just eating park food, a day at the park can be a super fun experience.

One great thing about theme parks is that you can usually find one within driving distance. This makes amusement parks a reasonable choice for a family vacation or weekend giveaway, especially if money is an issue. Amusement parks are also great for capturing memories for kids. When I was a child, my family took me to several parks in Michigan, California, Ohio and Florida, so I have great memories from those trips.

The best theme parks also have convenient lodging nearby, making the trip truly seamless. That’s not to mention the awesome water parks that are often attached to today’s theme parks. Also, even though theme parks are meant for kids, it’s obvious that adults can have just as much fun at them, too.

Read on for our list of the 10 best amusement parks in America, from Cedar Point to Hersheypark. All of these are famous for their attractions, food and more. What’s your favorite? Reach out to us on social media and let us know.

  • 10. Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

    Dollywood is a favorite that’s located in the Great Smokey Mountain area. Of course, it’s named after the one and only Dolly Parton. If you’re a country music fan, this is a must-see stop. Even if you aren’t a huge country music listener, it’s a great, traditional amusement park.

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  • 9. Kings Island, Mason, Ohio

    Kings Island Theme Park is a little bit off the radar, but it’s a great park. It’s known for not only its amusement park but also its fantastic water park. Kings Island features a range of coasters, Planet Snoopy for the kids and more.

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  • 8. Legoland, Carlsbad, California

    Legoland is simply legendary. Whoever had the idea to make an entire amusement park dedicated to Legos is a genius. The amusement park offers fun rides, live entertainment and more. You’ll find a Legoland Water Park, too.

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  • 7. Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, Virginia

    Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia, is one of those parks that you just hear about a lot. I feel like I’ve been hearing about it since I was a little kid, but I’ve never been there. Busch Gardens is known for being extremely beautiful and scenic, which is rare for an amusement park.

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  • 6. Knott's Berry Farm, Buena Park, California

    Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, California, is another spot that I’ve had the pleasure of visiting. When I was a kid, my family took me to California to see my aunt, and we went to not only Disneyland but also Knott’s Berry Farm. The amusement park has more than 165 rides, attractions and more. They also have fun holiday and Halloween events.

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  • 5. Six Flags Magic Mountain, Valencia, California (and in many other states)

    Six Flags Magic Mountain is another huge name when it comes to parks. The spot, located in Valencia, California, is known for its amazing coasters. What’s cool is that the park offers a mix of scary-type coasters for the big kids (and adults) and tame coasters for the kids (and wimpy adults, like me). Other Six Flags parks also belong here, too, as the chain has lots of locations across America.

  • 4: Disney California Adventure Park, Anaheim, California

    If you want that Disney experience but live on the West Coast, then you’re much closer to Disney California Adventure Park, aka “Disneyland,” than you are to Disney World. I’ve actually been to both parks, since my aunt lives near Disneyland, and I went as a kid. The park is super fun for those of any age, and it really gives you that Disney movie experience, but in a park. The park has been updated over the years, but it’s more classic than Disney World.

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  • 3. Hersheypark, Hershey, Pennsylvania

    If you’re in the Pennsylvania area, then you absolutely have to go to Hersheypark. The park, which is owned by Hershey Entertainment & Resorts, helps to keep Milton S. Hershey’s legacy alive. Not only do you get chocolate (yum!), but Hersheypark also offers roller coasters, water rides and more fun.

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  • 2. Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom, Orlando, Florida

    There is something simply classic about Walt Disney World. It should be every kid’s right of passage to go here. I’m fortunate that my parents took me to Disney World twice when I was little. I loved meeting my favorite princesses, but there is plenty to do for adults at the park, too.

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  • 1. Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio

    Cedar Point is legendary in the Midwest. The park is considered the “Roller Coaster Capital of the World,” since it has so many fantastic coasters to ride. If you’re looking for major thrills, plus stuff to do for the family, Cedar Point is a great spot. Plus, it’s not as pricey as some of the major parks.

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Country 103.7’s funniest guy in town is none other than Rob Tanner with Tanner in the Morning! Rob Tanner has been the host of WSOC-FM's Tanner in the Morning Show in Charlotte, NC for 20 years. The show was named the 2018 ACM Major Market Personalities of the Year. He is well-versed in all topics in country music. Tanner also is a sports junkie who writes about any Carolina sports team, and he and his wife Missy spend most of their down exploring theme parks. He writes Disney insider content.

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