Midwesternish amusement park recommendations for hasty WA-VA road trip?

July 10, 2015 1:59 PM

Embarking tomorrow morning on a VERY hastily planned road trip from Seattle to Richmond, VA. Criteria: 1. Must arrive by evening of 15th (so, beeline, I'm guessing). And, 2. Need SOMETHING to relieve tedium halfway through. I'm thinking either a water theme park or, most likely, a (dry) amusement park. I've spent very little time between coasts, but it seems like I read somewhere that there are scads of full-on, seedy-in-a-good-way amusement parks dotted throughout. SO: how about it?

Looking for a place 3 road-cranky, slightly immature 30-year-old men can while away an afternoon for under $100 (total). I love roller coasters and scary shit, and my friends will fake fondness or sit in the car.

Stressed to the gills, no time to actually research it myself...

Word?

posted by t(h)om(as) to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (18 answers total)

Cedar Point has great roller coasters. I don't remember it being seedy, but it was packed full of good rides.
posted by Area Man at 2:02 PM on July 10, 2015 [1 favorite]

Wisconsin Dells has a whole range of amusement parks from fancy to cheesy. We went on a mini-golf bender there on our last road trip.
posted by advicepig at 2:03 PM on July 10, 2015 [5 favorites]

Six Flags St Louis? Lots of coasters. Water park.

But I doubt any of these amusement parks can be done for $33. SFSL is $50 to walk in. Cedar Point is about the same. Wis Dells might be a good bet. Just enough cheese to have some fun.
posted by JoeZydeco at 2:04 PM on July 10, 2015

There's Kings Island in Ohio. Apparently if you go during the week it's around $40.
posted by goatdog at 2:08 PM on July 10, 2015

If you hit Cedar Point on a weekday, it's $45 for a weekday ticket. I think you have to buy online in advance though.
posted by DarlingBri at 2:11 PM on July 10, 2015

Word?

Aim for Sandusky and Cedar Point because the roller coasters are the best. On your way there see if you can scare up some extra money to make it worth your while. If not, there are a lot of water parks and other stuff nearby that you can afford.
posted by jessamyn at 2:12 PM on July 10, 2015

Oh hey, Mt. Olympus currently has $10 tickets! They're saying that offer is good for another 8 hours but maybe that is just a marketing lie. Anyway, it's not Cedar Point but they do have a water park and did I mention the $10 part?
posted by DarlingBri at 2:16 PM on July 10, 2015 [2 favorites]

Kansas City might be on your route. It has Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun, an amusement park and water park, respectively.
posted by tacodave at 2:25 PM on July 10, 2015

Cedar Point is definitely the most on- the- way if you're going through northern Ohio, and the best rides. But it'll be more expensive than you specified. There's Indiana Beach in northern IN, which looks like it's $31. It's definitely seedy! In a good way? You tell me! In my experience, if you go on a weekday there will be basically no lines.
posted by geegollygosh at 2:33 PM on July 10, 2015

You might have already cut south by this point, but if your route takes you through Pittsburgh: Kennywood?
posted by MsMolly at 3:02 PM on July 10, 2015 [3 favorites]

Another vote for Wisconsin Dells--many options there. But Valleyfair near Minneapolis would be a bit more straightforward. Just the one park.
posted by Leona at 6:43 PM on July 10, 2015

Not an amusement park, but the City Museum in St. Louis is pretty amazing.
posted by valeries at 6:56 PM on July 10, 2015 [2 favorites]

I assumed St. Louis was out of the way, but if it isn't, I endorse the City Museum plan. That place is bonkers in the most amazing way ever.
posted by advicepig at 8:00 PM on July 10, 2015 [1 favorite]

The Dells is a lot of fun (or was the last time I was there). There is also the Six Flags in Gurnee, Illinois (midway between Milwaukee and Chicago). If you're taking I-94 it's a piece of cake.

Addendum: if you are on that stretch of I-94 consider a stop at the Circus World Museum in Baraboo, WI..
posted by cleroy at 6:08 PM on July 11, 2015

Camden Park is just west of Huntington, WV if you're going along that stretch of I-64. Very old-school park -- the Big Dipper is an old wooden coaster that's fun.
posted by Vidiot at 9:11 PM on July 11, 2015

Adventureland in Iowa is on interstate 80, and has both rides and a waterpark.

It can get crowded though, as its the only option for several hours' drive in any direction.
posted by ArgentCorvid at 6:43 AM on July 12, 2015

Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Kansas City recently opened the world's tallest waterslide.

And yes, CITY MUSEUM in St Louis! if you are willing to take an active role (climbing, crawling, sliding) in your amusement.
posted by scrambles at 7:40 AM on July 12, 2015

Elitch Gardens in Denver is both an amusement park AND a water park.
posted by Sheppagus at 10:41 AM on July 14, 2015