There are two types of men: Men who enjoy amusement parks, and men who emphatically do not. The latter group is considerably larger than the former. They’re also wrong. Categorically disliking amusement parks is like categorically disliking restaurants or parties. There is such a wide range of options that the blanket statement is ridiculous.
This is especially true in America, which boasts an incredible variety of parks. And even if you’re thrill ride–averse, most parks now have sprawling restaurants, fried food choices, and plenty of sights worth the price of admission. But maybe you’re still not convinced. For you anti-fun travelers, there are plenty of wild animal reserves and recreational parks around the world to choose from. And for those on the other side of the spectrum, the out-and-out thrill-seekers, you roller coaster nuts can seek out Abu Dhabi, which has the world’s fastest. (Coaster fans in general can check out our list of the seven best here.)
But for everyone else, the real theme park zealots hungry for a bizarre park, a slice of history, or a laid-back hunk of deep-fried, family-friendly Americana, there are dozens of amusement parks to sate your appetite. Sure, America’s got the OG big amusement parks—Disney, Six Flags, Universal Studios—but we’ve also got small ones, old ones, weird ones, and unexpectedly beautiful ones. If you’re still unconvinced, here are the top seven spots that will change your mind about amusement parks.
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