North Carolina Roller Coaster Named the Best by USA Today
One North Carolina roller coaster has been named one of the best rides in the U.S. This coaster is even ranked No. 8 in the country, which is great. So, if you love to get your thrill on, then this is the place to be. The summer months are a fantastic time to get out and try out the biggest and best roller coasters, too.
North Carolina Roller Coaster is One of the Top in the U.S.
The new survey is out from the travel experts at USA Today, under their 10Best.usatoday.com section. As with all of their “10 Best” polls, what’s cool is that they have real travelers vote on their favorite places in the U.S., so the winners are recommended from true people who have been to those destinations. How is works is that USA Today’s expert editors and readers independently select what you see on 10Best. First, the editors pick the places and attractions on which travelers will vote. Then, their readers pick their favorites. “While theme park rides come in all shapes and sizes these days, nothing beats the adrenaline rush of a well-designed roller coaster,” they write. “A panel of theme park experts chose 20 coasters, then our readers voted for their favorites.”
Before we get to the North Carolina roller coaster, let’s look at the others that made the cut. Coming in at No. 4 is Wildcat’s Revenge at Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania. “Hersheypark added steel to an existing wooden track to come up with an entirely new hybrid ride,” the experts explain. “This coaster climbs to the dizzying height of 140 feet, hits 62 miles per hour, takes riders through four inversions, and drops at 82 degrees.” That’s a total thrill. Pennsylvania also has the No. 3 coaster on the list with Phantom’s Revenge at Kennywood in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. This is a 3,365-foot-long track coaster, which “brings visitors frighteningly close to another of the park’s coasters, Thunderbolt.” Expect a sharp second drop, which USA Today says is the ride’s highlight. No. 2 is Mako at SeaWorld Orlando in Orlando, Florida. No. 1 is Phoenix at Knoebels in Elysburg, Pennsylvania.
So, what North Carolina roller coaster is one of the best in America, according to USA Today? It’s Fury 325 at Carowinds in Charlotte, North Carolina. It’s called the “longest, fastest, and tallest giga coaster in North America” offers a “190-foot-tall barrel turn and a high-speed S-curve, which pushes it to thrilling speeds of up to 95 miles per hour.” This coaster actually crosses the North and South Carolina state lines, so it’s that big. I’m in.
Secret Tips to Save Money on Your Next Vacation
1. Try to Negotiate Your Lodging
Did you know that hotel fees can be negotiable? Fidelity.com points out that, “You may be able to negotiate the online price by calling a hotel directly, or asking if they have any discounts for students, government employees, or members of certain groups, such as AAA.” So, don’t settle for that price you see on your laptop. Try to do better. It’s a secret tip that can pay off bigtime.
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2. Get Smart with Your Lodging
Did you know some hotels that are virtually the same, including the same brand, can be cheaper just a few miles apart? As a general rule, hotels that are near the airport are more expensive. So, you can look at the hotels you want to stay at and their multiple locations in the area for the best rate. “Some hotels that are under construction may rent rooms at a discount, which is a great option if you can deal with the noise,” Fidelity.com points out.
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3. Snack Your Way to a Cheaper Trip
Going out to eat on vacation can be one of the most exciting things about the trip. But, if you want to save on cash, skip a few meals out and opt for healthy, hearty snacks. Pack (or buy at a local store) some protein-rich snacks, like protein bars and meal bars, and limit your dining out. You can still enjoy some of the best food the area has to offer, just not as much of it. This is a way to stay fit on your trip, too. A lot of people don’t think of this tip, so it’s a bit of a secret.
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4. Timing is Everything
You’ve heard it so many times in life: Timing is everything. That’s true for travel, too. Research to find the least-busy times to visit your destination. If you travel during those downtimes, you’ll save big. While this is a common tip, something people forget is that every vacation destination has its own peak time. So, be specific for your travel spot.
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5. Travel with a Friend
If you’re thinking of traveling solo to a place you’ve always wanted to visit, go cheaper by traveling with a friend. You two can share lodging fees. Also, sometimes there are more deals and discounts for those traveling with multiple people. I always do this when going to a big music festival, if it’s far away. I’ll usually meet my friend there, and we share lodging costs. It also makes the trip more fun.
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6. Find Free Spots to Travel
Look for some free attractions in your travel area. Chances are, they won’t be as packed as the big-named places, too. You can still visit some of the popular landmarks. But, if you add a trip to a national park or free museum to your itinerary, it will save you some cash.
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7. Max Out Your Memberships
Are you a member of any random groups? You might have travel deals just waiting for you. Check everything, from your college alumni membership to your credit cards, for travel discounts. You may be surprised what you find.
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8. Don't Get Picky
Say you just want to get out on a fantastic trip, but you don’t really have a place in mind. That’s actually a good thing. Take an hour to look at flight specials happening right now. If you aren’t picky on where to travel, chances are you’ll find a great rate on airfare and lodging somewhere. Once you find the most reasonable place to travel, then you can start looking at what to do when you’re there.
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9. Go Popular
This is a bit ironic, but often times, the most popular tourist destinations are also the cheapest. That’s because there is a lot of competition for all those travelers. So, big-named destinations like Orlando, Florida, or Las Vegas, Nevada, tend to have really good travel deals. Go popular, or go home.
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