Best Theme Parks in the South
The southeastern US is a beautiful region for a number of reasons such as the temperate climate, scenic areas, fun-filled cities, and much more. There are hundreds of amusement parks to visit in the Southeast of the US, which makes it a desirable place for a cheap vacation. Most families visit the region, during the spring months when daytime temperatures are pleasant and the evenings are cool.
Nonetheless, summer getaways are also enjoyed despite the hot weather. The following is a list of the most popular and most visited Theme & Amusement Parks in the South that you can visit during your next vacation.
Alabama & Arkansas
When it comes to Alabama amusement parks, you don’t want to miss Alabama Adventure or if your looking for theme parks in Arkansas you should check out Magic Springs!
Alabama Adventure, 4599 Splash Adventure Pkwy, Bessemer, AL 35022; Phone: (205) 481-4750
Magic Springs, 1701 E Grand Ave, Hot Springs, AR 71901
Florida
If you’re planning a family holiday to Florida the chances are you’re planning to head to the theme parks. Here you can enjoy the world’s very best theme parks with the most famous thrill rides in the world. From Disneyland to Universal Studios and beyond Florida is internationally renowned for its incredible theme parks and beautiful weather. Here we’re going to look at the best of Florida’s theme parks and the rides you simply can’t miss as well as provide some general information on where to stay and what else you can get up to.
Florida has been known for its major innovations and amusement park attractions. It is a small world full of fun and thrills. There are two Disney Parks in Florida – Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Walt Disney World
The absolute family favorite Walt Disney World is one of the 10 most visited attractions in the world and is everything you would imagine plus a whole lot more. It’s one of the nicest places to stay with themed villas and beautiful grounds surrounding the main attraction, the park, itself. The rides aren’t as thrilling as many of Florida’s other offerings but the park is still incredible and the themed areas are very much a fantasy land with parades, shows and fairy tale buildings everywhere you go. The top rides are undoubtedly Space Mountain which is downright terrifying, rock n roller coaster with great Aerosmith music and the brilliant but less adventurous thunder mountain. The real draw of the park though is always going to be the show and the shows. There’s beauty and the beast, Cinderella’s castle, the main street parade and a whole host of fantastic themed attractions. The Walt Disney World water park is also fantastic and a great place to spend the day with plenty of slides, surf lessons and more.
Walt Disney World stands out from the other Florida amusement parks because it has several themed amusement parks within it including the Magic Kingdom, Epcot Center, Hollywood Studios, and the Animal kingdom. The Magic Kingdom is without doubt the king of all amusement parks in the US and the world. It receives an astounding number of visitors each and every year.
SeaWorld
Mention Orlando amusement parks in the US, and you cannot fail to find SeaWorld on the list. If you really enjoy aquatic animals, this is the place to visit. You will find everything at Sea World, from the animal shows to the aquarium exhibits and the rides are all meant to educate, but still entertain people of all ages.
SeaWorld Orlando, 7007 Sea World Dr, Orlando, FL 32821; Phone: (407) 545-5550
Miami
Miami theme parks like Jungle Island or Miami Seaquarium will keep everyone entertained with hours of fun.
Jungle Island
Explore a tropical jungle without ever leaving Miami with a visit to Jungle Island. The Island features hands on experiences with lemurs, kangaroos, and sloths, along with twin orangutans, the only tame cassowary on the planet, a variety of parrots, and much more. There’s also an inflatable water park, and a wind tunnel powered flight experience to simulate the weightlessness of skydiving without the need to jump out of a perfectly good airplane.
Jungle Island, 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami, FL 33132
Miami Seaquarium
There is so much fun stuff to do in Miami with kids, but nothing like a day at Miami Seaquarium®! Enjoy a day of learning, laughs, and entertainment by immersing yourself in an animal encounter.
Miami Seaquarium, 4400 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 33149
Universal Studios
You don’t want to miss Universal Studios Orlando theme park, Islands Of Adventure featuring the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The Universal park is by far the best place for the family thrill seekers and plays host to some of the most impressive rides on earth. The islands of adventure is the best place for thrill rides with the Hulk Ride, Dueling Dragons, Spiderman 3-D, Ripsaw falls and Dr. Doom being amongst the best. These are out and out thrill rides with fantastic spins, turns and speeds that’ll frighten the life out of the most resilient visitor. The actual Universal Studious part of the theme park is much more film orientated with lots of displays and shows though it does have some great rides like the Mummy and Men in Black. The best things here though are the Jaws “ride”, Shrek 4-D and Twister which are just fantastic shows in themselves.
Legoland
The Legoland in Florida is the best in the world and while it’s not a thrills orientated park there’s plenty to do and see with some fantastic rides and a great layout. The things they’ve managed to build out of Lego are simply incredible and that’s probably an understatement. The rides are still great fun with coastersaurus probably being the best. This year Legoland water park is expected to open which promises to be an excellent day out and probably better than Disney’s version.
Florida theme parks like Busch Gardens are packed with great attractions and it’s themed European which combines both 17th-century charm and 21st-century technology. Busch Gardens has also been voted the most beautiful in the U.S. for twenty consecutive years.
Georgia & North Carolina
Stone Mountain is one of the better Georgia amusement parks or North Carolina amusement parks include Carowinds another within the Cedar Fair Group’s Chain.
Stone Mountain Park
Summer at Stone Mountain includes adventure and excitement for every member of the family. Experience all of Stone Mountain Park’s exciting attractions daily during Summer at the Rock. Go on an action-packed journey with the Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, challenge yourself on SkyHike, the nation’s largest family adventure course, or cool off and play in the spray on Geyser Towers. The adventures are endless.
Stone Mountain Park, 1000 Robert E Lee Blvd, Stone Mountain, GA 30083; Phone: (770) 498-5690
Carowinds
Carowinds located in Charlotte, North Carolina is an expanding theme park within the Cedar Fair chain. After unleashing Copperhead Strike to the world in 2019, it is time to speculate on what new roller coaster could be coming in the future. Could we see an RMC Hurler conversion or maybe a brand new ride from B&M? . Owned and operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, Carowinds also features a 27-acre (81,000 m2) water park, Carolina Harbor, which is included with park admission. The park has a Halloween event called SCarowinds and a winter event called WinterFest.
Carowinds, 300 Carowinds Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28273; Phone: (704) 588-2600
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFo4XD_8XsY
Virginia
Kings Dominion is definitely one of the top Virginia amusement parks you should visit and offers phenomenal fun times with cool Water Park’s, and the people’s favorite roller coaster; The Dominator. It is worth the wait, and words cannot describe the feeling you will get from this roller coaster. The Drop Tower will make you scream. This tower together, with its sister one at Kings Island, is the tallest drop towers in the world.
Kings Dominion
For over 40 years, Kings Dominion has been thrilling guests of all ages. Since its opening in the mid-’70s, the park continues to change and evolve. Ever since Kings Dominion announced the closure and removal of Volcano: The Blast Coaster, fans have been wondering what would replace the one of a kind attraction. Kings Dominion is home to 12 different roller coasters including a huge bucket list ride for us, Intimidator 305!
Kings Dominion, 16000 Theme Park Way, Doswell, VA 23047; Phone: (804) 876-5000
Tennessee
Dollywood is yet another famous amusement park in the US, Southeast region. It was created by Dolly Parton a well-known Country and Western entertainer and is among the most visited Tennessee amusement parks. While Disneyland is official “the Happiest Place on Earth,” the actual happiest place on Earth — or at least in Tennessee — has to be Dollywood. It’s a unique theme park with a wild story.
Dollywood, 2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863; Phone: (800) 365-5996
Final Word
This is among the few Summer Amusement Parks in the U.S. where it will take you several days to enjoy the various thrill rides, spectacular shopping, roller coasters, live performances, and special occasion celebrations.
The Southeast has all the usual attractions that most amusement parks in the US have, including thrilling rides, great fun, and dazzling entertainment for everyone. Find the best deal on Hotels, Flights, and Vacation Rentals, compare prices, discover local Restaurants, or Find Things To Do and see in the area.