8 quirky US theme parks you have to see to believe
If we were playing a word association game and I said "theme park," you'd probably respond with "Disney World" or "Universal Orlando." That's not surprising considering both parks see millions of visitors each year — but they are far from the only theme parks out there.
In fact, there are parks all across the country that have something the heavy-hitters don't — a quirkiness that makes them possibly even better suited to the term "theme park" than their more widely-known counterparts.
What do Santa, SpongeBob and steer loaders have in common? You can find them all at these eight quirky U.S. theme parks.
Carousel Gardens Amusement Park
Location: New Orleans, Lousiana.
Cost: $25 for guest 36 inches and up, free for kids under 36 inches, $15 for chaperones accompanying a child and $13 for seniors.
Highlights: Carousel Gardens Amusement Park is located within New Orleans City Park, a 170-year old, 1,300-acre public park in The Big Easy. The park also houses a botanical garden, miniature golf course, paddle boats, an art museum and a Storyland walkthrough park with larger-than-life storybook sculptures.
The 18 family-friendly rides at Carousel Gardens include traditional carnival rides like bumper cars and a tilt-a-whirl and even a small roller coaster. The park's namesake carousel is more than 100 years old and the moss-covered oak trees that surround the park are much, much older, creating the same enchantment and nostalgia that characterizes New Orleans itself.
Enchanted Forest
Location: Salem, Oregon.
Cost: Adult tickets start at $18.25, children ages 3-12 at $16.25, seniors age 62 and up at $16.75 and kids under 2 are free. Save by pre-purchasing online.
Highlights: If you've ever dreamed of going through the looking glass with "Alice in Wonderland" or seeing how the "Little Old Lady Who Lived in a Shoe" decorated her humble dwelling, you can do both at Enchanted Forest.
The park lets you enter real-life versions of favorite fairytale lands, including an Old West town, an idyllic European village and an interactive storybook-themed play area. Within the lands are a variety of kid-friendly rides like a carousel, train and pint-sized Ferris wheel.
Ride tickets must be purchased separately for $1 each; each ride requires between three and five tickets.
The North Pole — Santa's Workshop
Location: Cascade, Colorado.
Cost: During summer and fall, entry is free and you only need to pay for ride tickets. Unlimited ride packages are also available. During the holiday season, admission is $25 per person and reservations are required.
Highlights: Luckily, you don't have to travel all the way to the real North Pole to visit this holiday-themed park. This North Pole is located near the base of Pikes Peak in Colorado — a fitting location for Santa's workshop.
Related: Searching for Santa: A once-in-a-lifetime trip in Finland’s snowy Arctic
The park has more than two dozen rides, mostly geared toward families with young children, with some designed for children to ride by themselves. The Peppermint Slide and Santa's Sleigh Ride tie directly into the park's Christmas theme, but all the attractions have a festive feel thanks to the snow-capped mountain setting.
During your visit, you can also meet Santa, sip hot chocolate or apple cider, and send a letter or postcard back home with a special North Pole postmark.
Nickelodeon Universe
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota, at the Mall of America and East Rutherford, New Jersey, at American Dream.
Cost: Ticket prices start at $45 at the Mall of America location and $49 at the American Dream location. Discount tickets are available for children ages 3-9, active duty and veteran military members and seniors age 65 and up. Children 2 years and younger are free.
Highlights: Both Nickelodeon Universe locations are unique in their own right, but there are a number of slime-covered similarities. Both are decked out in Nickelodeon's signature green and orange color scheme and have rides and meet-and-greets themed to Nickelodeon franchises new and old, including "Blue's Clues," "SpongeBob Square Pants," "Fairly Odd Parents" and "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles."
They're also easier to get to and less expensive than the all-inclusive Nickelodeon Resorts in Punta Cana and Riviera Maya.
The American Dream location boasts the distinction of being the largest indoor theme park in the Western Hemisphere, while the Mall of America Nickelodeon Universe is located in the largest mall in the U.S.
Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park
Location: Gilroy, California.
Cost: $45 per person when you pre-purchase online; children under 3 are free.
Highlights: Gilroy Gardens is a horticulture-themed amusement park known for its nature-defying "circus trees." The circus trees are real trees whose branches and trunks were shaped and bent as they grew. You can still see them throughout the park and there's even a replica circus tree play structure in the water park.
There's more than just trees at Gilroy Gardens, though. The park has more than 40 family-friendly rides and attractions — some, like the Artichoke Dip and the Garlic Twirl, incorporate the park's garden theme.
Knoebels Amusement Resort
Location: Elysburg, Pennsylvania.
Cost: Admission is free, but you can pay $48 for a "ride all day" ticket for guests 48 inches and up, $32 for guests under 48 inches. Save by purchasing online ahead of time.
Highlights: What's not to love about a park with a chipmunk mascot named Kozmo? Knoebels Amusement Resort has been in operation since 1926 and still retains its old-fashioned charm. In fact, you can visit one of the park's original attractions to this day.
The Crystal Pool spring-fed swimming hole was once accompanied by just a merry-go-round and a collection of food stalls. Today, it is surrounded by a mix of child-friendly and thrill rides, a haunted mansion, carousel museum, mining museum and Knoebels history museum.
Dutch Wonderland
Location: Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Cost: $49.99 for guests ages 3 and up, with discounts for military members and first responders. Children under 3 are free.
Highlights: Dutch Wonderland bills itself as a Kingdom for Kids, emphasis on the "kingdom." You enter the park through a large stone castle facade and, once inside, you'll encounter characters like Duke the Dragon and Merlin the magician.
The park is geared toward families with younger children. There's a prehistoric path full of life-size dinosaurs plus a dig area, kid-friendly rides and coasters and a large water play area.
Dig World
Location: Katy, Texas.
Cost: $24.99 for a two-hour pass. Children under 32 inches tall are free.
Highlights: The creative geniuses behind Dig World realized so many of us have driven past a construction site and fought the urge to hop in a bulldozer and start bulldozing. So they built a park where kids and adults and can do just that, but in a safe, supervised environment.
Dig World has a selection of excavators and steer loaders that you can use to drive, dig, fish objects out of the water and pick up cones. If your kids aren't quite ready to operate heavy machinery, there's also gem mining, a playground and lawn games to keep them occupied.
Bottom line
Much like a can't-miss roadside attraction, the U.S. is full of quirky, one-of-a-kind theme parks that can make a vacation (or staycation) memorable and fun.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.