Family-oriented, classic amusement parks to visit for any age

Kathy Kenez, 65, and Ralph Meranto, 60, love the adrenaline rush of a roller coaster ride. But the Rochester, New York, couple isn’t screaming headlong down Kingda Ka at 128 mph at a New

Jersey Six Flags resort — they’re finding their bliss at vintage amusement parks, the kind they remember from when they were kids. Their favorite is Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg,

Pennsylvania. “They have everything you ever loved in your childhood about amusement parks,” says Kenez. “A beautiful creek runs through it. There are trees all around.… You can ride the

carousel and catch the brass ring. There aren’t many places in the world where you can do that,” she says. Amusement parks go way back. In the late 1800s, trolley companies would “buy a

piece of land, normally at the end of the line, and operate an entertainment resort to encourage people to ride the trolley in the evening and on the weekends. There were hundreds throughout

the country,” says Jim Futrell, 60, historian for both the National Amusement Park Historical Association and the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions. Now, “about

50 amusement parks in the country … pre-date World War II,” he says. According to Futrell, some of these parks are still family-owned and, unlike large corporate-owned amusement parks, are

free or have nominal admission fees that make it easier for multiple generations to enjoy the park. Here are five parks worth a visit this summer and beyond — some are open throughout the

winter holidays: Arnolds Park Amusement Park maintains its classic charm after 135 years. Courtesy Vacation Okoboji ARNOLDS PARK AMUSEMENT PARK, ARNOLDS PARK, IOWA Located on Lake Okoboji in

northwest Iowa, the 135-year-old park has seen its share of hard times. In 1999, a developer purchased the park, planning to build a condo and resort complex. A local campaign rescued the

property. Now owned by the nonprofit Historic Arnolds Park Inc., the park maintains its classic charm. It’s free to walk through the park. Stroll the landscaped boardwalk, hop on the Queen

II excursion boat for a history tour, or ride the refurbished park train. There are three free museums, concerts every Saturday including fireworks, and, of course, the classic rides from

the tilt-a-whirl to bumper cars and the log flume. The highlight, though, for American Coaster Enthusiasts member Marlon Scott, 63, from Orlando, Florida, is the Legend, a 94-year-old wooden

roller coaster that wraps around part of the park property. “It’s a preservation success story,” he says. “It’s refurbished beautifully.… It’s pristine. There’s a happy clattering that

fills the entire park.” According to park CEO Jon Pausley, one retired couple “comes to the park every day to ride [The Legend]. Last summer they rode the coaster 1,000 times.” ADMISSION:

There’s no entrance fee, and parking is free. Purchase a day pass for attractions from $37.95 to $59.95, or per-ride tickets. The park generally opens at 10 a.m., with various closing times

depending on the day. Check the calendar for additional details.