Ah, Green-Bay. This city on the shore of Lake Michigan in the state of Wisconsin (confused yet?) is the home of meatpackers, but it hosts the Packers (as in, the Green-Bay Packers NFL team), too, as well as the National Railroad Museum and sixteen other local attractions.
But if your interest is in amusement parks, (and you’re reading this, so it must be) we’ve got good news for you. Green Bay is also home to Bay Beach Amusement Park, one of the greatest beach parks in the Midwest.
Like all great amusement parks, Bay Beach has a rich history. But this one starts back all the way in the late 19th century! It started out as a dance hall, a small bar, and a bathhouse, and over the years, it changed not only owners but attractions.
One of the first log flumes rides in amusement park history was built there in the early 1900s, and now, just a few months away from the start of the 2012 summer season (as of this writing), Bay Beach Amusement Park is ready to amaze and delight you no matter how old you are.
And just what makes this beach park so great? It might lack the national name recognition of a Six Flags, but never fear this park has charm and fun in spades.
One of the best things about this park is that its entrance fees aren’t just cheap, they’re non-existent! Parking is free too.
The only thing you pay for are tickets for an individual ride.
How good is that?
Now, some beach parks have the whole family in mind with a wide array of rides and attractions, but Bay Beach Amusement Park focuses mainly on the kid and the kid at heart in mind with theirs.
Most of their rides are suited for the wee ones or a child with an adult accompanying, but they do have some attractions for big kids too, like the Zippin’ Pippin’, the new massive roller coaster at bay Beach.
Zippin’ Pippin’ Roller Coaster
Take a Spin on the Thrillin’ Zippin’ Pippin’
Of course, you’ve also got the old standbys at Bay Beach: the Ferris wheel, the Merry-Go-Round, and the Bumper Cars, among others.
In addition to all that, the park offers eight different venues for rent that can accommodate groups of nearly any size, all for a reasonable fee (just so long as you order well in advance. On those balmy summer days, these hot spots go fast).
Bay Beach Amusement Park, 1313 Bay Beach Rd, Green Bay, WI 54302; Phone: (920) 448-3365