Summer is right around the corner, and let’s be honest, you don’t want to sit around on your phone all summer. Luckily, there are many amusement parks close by that are an affordable alternative to sitting on your phone all day.

Idlewild and Soakzone

Location: Ligonier, PA

Price: $29.99

Idlewild and Soakzone, commonly known as Idlewild is a children’s amusement park, and was even named the “Best Park For Families” by the National Amusement Park Historical Association. Idlewild offers a variety of things to do for kids of all ages. Different lands such as Story Book Forest and Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood offer kids lots of things to do, like stop by and say hello to the Storybook characters, ride the trolley in Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, or save the date for one of the days shows. For the older kids and adults, there is plenty of exhilarating rides and games for them to do. Or, the family can choose to spend the day at Soakzone, the water part of Idlewild. Soakzone has things for everyone, such as a kiddie pool and play section for the little kids. For everyone else there is the wave pool oe lazy river to relax and splash around in.

Kennywood

Location: West Mifflin, PA

Price: $54.99

Kennywood is one of the best rated amusement parks in all of Pennsylvania. At Kennywood you can enjoy a unique mix of classic rides and modern thrills, including six roller coasters, kiddie attractions, and more thrill rides that cannot be found anywhere else. And, opening this year, Kennywood plans to unveil an all new land, Steelers Country, along with the record breaking roller coaster, The Steel Curtain. Kennywood offers things for everyone to enjoy around the park, from the rides, the games, the shows, and variety of food.  

Cedar Point

Location: Sandusky, Ohio

Price: $72

This amusement park classic is geared more towards older kids, or at least people who aren’t going to shy away from an intense ride. With 17 roller coasters, Cedar Point is sure to satisfy any thrill seeker. But, if roller coasters aren’t your thing, the park features a world-record 72 rides! And since Cedar Point isn’t actually located in Pennsylvania, you can stay in one of their many resorts. Cedar Point offers beachside resorts, so if you don’t feel like going to a park you can always take a stroll along the beach.

Hershey Park

Location: Hershey, PA

Price: $46.95

Hershey Park offers an enjoyable twist to what you might usually think of when you think of Hershey. Hershey park has rides for all ages, and also a water park in the park. For a more Hershey twist, you can meet some of the “characters” of Hershey, such as Hershey’s Bar, Reese, Hershey’s Kiss, Kit Kat, Rolo, and more. Or, of course, you can visit Chocolate World and go on rides and learn all about Hershey since it began making chocolate.

DelGrosso’s Park

Location: Tipton, PA

Price: $31.95

DelGrosso’s is a family-oriented amusement park that has many attractions, events, and famous food. The founders of DelGrosso’s created it as a place where families could afford to spend the day. You can spend the day riding DelGrosso’s thrilling midway rides or cooling off at the water park.

Sandcastle

Location: West Homestead, PA

Price: $22.99-$32.99

Sandcastle is a mix of relaxing, thrilling, and fun. Unlike the other parks mentioned, Sandcastle is a water park that has everything from regular pools, thrilling tubing experiences, to enormous waterslides. A visit to Cedar Point, and you will totally forget that you are only in Pennsylvania and not at the beach!

Knoebels

Location: Elysburg, PA

Price: $28.50-$35.00

Knoebels is a great park if you are looking for a less busy and more relaxed amusement park that everyone in the family will enjoy. Knoebels has rides for all ages, as well as games, and many events such as a lazer command and bald eagle habitat. Knoebels also has water part of the park with a kiddie area, regular pool, and waterslides.