Uproxx
Today, we wind up our series covering the essential theme parks in every state in the nation. One of the things that makes the northeast so amazing for theme parks is the opportunity for an impromptu history lesson. Our country has a rich past, but we often don’t get to experience it through the lens of carousels — and we could not be more here for that opportunity.
There are some newer parks on this list, but overall we are enamored with those turn-of-the-century darlings that can be traced back to innovative individuals and daring families or entrepreneurs. These people dedicated their lives to creating fun and community for generations of people to come. That’s powerful. And all you have to do to honor them is fill your belly with fried food and enjoy a carousel ride.
If you have opinions about our picks, hop into the comments. We want your best theme park recommendations!
Maine: Palace Playland (Old Orchard Beach)
We love a theme park with a pedigree, and Palace Playland has operated in the exact same location since 1902. That’s a lot of happy memories…and probably ghosts. Definitely ghosts. Also, a guidebook writer once called the park something that would appeal to “aficionados of the garish.” That’s a “must visit” destination if we’ve ever heard one.
In the early hears, Palace Playland was a roller rink and a carousel. Visitors could also enjoy simple snacks, like lemonade and saltwater taffy. Now, there are more than two dozen rides and attractions, as well as a 24,000-square-foot arcade that is one of the largest in the Northeast. Think skeeball and fortune telling machines, as well as more traditional arcade options. There are midway games, good food, lots of gift shopping options, and the beach is steps away. And, every Thursday during the peak season, there are fireworks.
Massachusetts: Edaville Family Theme Park (Carver)
We freaking love this theme park that cemented its reputation by focusing on cranberry harvesting and railroading. Tons of two-foot gauge railroads covered the state in the late 1800s, but between the depression and competition from autos they began shutting down in the 1940s. Ellis D. Atwood started buying the remaining rails and had them trucked to the cranberry bogs of Carver. He was a man with a plan. He built a five-and-a-half-mile railroad around his 1,800-acre plantation and started charging people to sightsee. That evolved into Family Fun Park, with an emphasis on the carnival rides you expect in a period theme park.
In 2002, Jon Delli Priscoli purchased all 250-acres of the current park. He opted to reconfigure the railroad and incorporate vintage rides, like an antique carousel and an illuminated Ferris wheel. The park introduced Thomas Land in 2015 — so if you or someone you know has fond feelings for Thomas the Tank Engine this will be your jam.
Vermont: Bromley Sun Mountain Adventure Park (Peru)
In 1935, three men (John Perry David Parsons, and Rolando Palmedo) planned the “Bromley Run” while in an airplane. And, the following year, Ralph Hitchinson and the Works Progress Administration went to work cutting the first trail on the west side off of Bromley Mountain in southern Vermont. But, there was no resort until Fred Pabst Jr. (yes, of that Pasbt family) opened Little Bromley Ski Area in 1938. When Bromley installed a 5,700-foot chairlift in 1958, the area became a major player in the New England ski industry. It was one of only four ski areas in the state that had this technology in play. In the years that followed, the resort continued leading the pack — by doing things like investing in a large snowmaking system after a difficult winter season.
It was this kind of innovation that prompted Bromley to install the first triple-tracked alpine slide in 1976, which signaled the start of the current Adventure Park. These days, visitors enjoy attractions like a climbing wall, trampolines, mini golf, a waterslide, a giant swing, space bikes and chairlift rides. Most recently, the park installed the Sun Mountain Flyer — a zipline that whizzes up to 50-miles an hour over a half-mile.
Connecticut: Lake Compounce (Bristol)
Is our Connecticut pick the very height of strangeness? No. But, Lake Compounce is the oldest continuously operating amusement park in the nation. Opened in 1846, the property spans 402-acres, which includes a beach and a waterpark (Crocodile Cove) that can both be used by guests for no additional fee. Sometimes you don’t need all the bells and whistles of a potential Scooby Doo frightfest of an abandoned park to get what you need. A long and storied history counts too.
If you are a roller coaster fan, for sure take a ride on the Wildcat, which is the 14th oldest wooden coaster in the United States. And visit its descendant, the Boulder Dash, which won the Golden Ticket Award for the #1 wooden roller coaster in the world for five consecutive years. The Golden Ticket Awards are voted on by experienced park enthusiasts from around the world. They have to have visited at least 40 different parks in their lifetimes.
New York: Magic Forest (Lake George)
Located on Route 9 in Lake George, New York, Magic Forest is likely to make people scoff at its designation as essential because it is more of a roadside attraction. But we were won over by the fact that it boasts the largest Uncle Sam statue in the world, has a regular magic show, and has the last remaining diving horse act in existence. We are a little torn on the horse thing, but we are sure Lightening’s owners take good care of him between his two daily dives. Plus, he is the son of Rex who used to dive in Atlantic City, so we think diving may be in Lightening’s blood. There are also 19 children’s rides, the Mile Long Safari, a train, four adult rides, and a Fairy Tale Trail, where people can encounter cottages and attractions. Magic Forest opened in 1963, and we think it still carries the energy of a forgotten time in a way that other options in the state simply don’t.
You probably thought we were going to shout out Adventureland, didn’t you? It is awesome and has rightfully been rocking Long Island since 1962. There are 30 rides, three of which are water rides and two of which are roller coasters. And it all began when Herb Budin and Alvin Cohen purchased seven-acres of property and slapped down a restaurant, an arcade, and some mini golf. To spice things up, they also added four rides: a carousel, the Iron Horse train, the Little Dipper coaster, and boats. It was all called Adventureland 110 Playland, and it was a million-dollar undertaking. The park was purchased in 1977 by Willy Miller who went ham with development, really making it what it is now. It changed hands a few times in the intervening decades and now boasts a water park as well.
Rhode Island: Atlantic Beach Park (Westerly)
The first parcel of Atlantic Beach was purchased in 1920 by Julia and Harry Trefes, and ultimately between the couple and their sons, a total of 12-acres was acquired. To this day, the family still owns and operates the area. Originally, this section of Misquamicut was called Atlantic Beach Casino, Now, just referred to as Atlantic Beach Park, this park on the southern shore of Rhode Island is more of a family beach, but people with an appreciation for history and a carnival vibe will love visiting. The big draw is the three-row carousel built in 1915 and shipped to the park from Warwick, the Rocky Point Amusement Park that went under in 1995. There have been a few restorations, but many of the OG horses and chariots are completely intact. You can also play some mini golf and ride Flying Chairs and the like. It is a great way to connect to the excellent theme park history of the state.
Speaking of which, we are terribly sad that both Rocky Point Amusement Park and Crescent Park are no longer in business. Rocky Point operated from the late 1840s until 1995, but its most popular period was between the 1950s and its closing. Unfortunately, its financial stability became shaky, and it was too costly for the park to stay current. There is a great documentary called You Must Be This Tall: The Story of Rocky Point Park, which covers the park’s evolution. Crescent Park opened in 1886 and made it until 1979 when low attendance forced an end to the fun. However, the restored 1895 Crescent Park Looff Carousel remains.
New Jersey: Bowcraft Amusement Park (Scotch Plains)
In our Nevada entry for this series, we wrote about a theme park that allowed adults to use construction equipment. Well, Diggerland is kind of that in miniature. There are four Diggerlands in the UK and one here in New Jersey, and they do run Diggerland XL for adults as well. As for standard Diggerland, it invites people over 42 inches to operate small-scale construction vehicles and equipment, and we know that is good stuff. We also can’t help thinking it is secretly a small-scale construction project with a shifty way of arranging labor. If, in a few years, there is a strangely erected housing community in its place, we won’t be surprised.
We think construction is a cool theme, but we couldn’t pick a theme park other than Bowcraft for New Jersey. In 1946, Ted Miller, and archery and skiing enthusiast, opened a store dedicated to his twin hobbies. It had been his dream for years, but World War II put it on hold. However, while stationed overseas, his intention intensified, and upon his return, he made it happen. Unfortunately, changes in leisure pursuits and competition caused visitation to diminish. So, the park was sold to the Markes family who made it more traditional. In 1998, having cemented itself as a legit attraction, Bowcraft added its first roller coaster. In 2000, three even larger rides were added. Now, there are over 30 rides in total — with a few that are total thrills.
Fun-ish fact: the site was featured in both the films North and Mortal Thoughts.
Delaware: Funland (Rehoboth Beach)
There is something wonderful about an old-fashioned boardwalk amusement park with a giant arcade and indoor and outdoor rides. It speaks to the roots of amusement park culture and to a mythical Americana period to which so many people wish they could return. Funland not only brings that to the table, it does so as a family run park since 1962.
During a 1961 beach vacation, Allen and brother Don Fasnacht, their wives, and their parents visited the future site of Funland as part of a family vacation and fell in love with the place. There was a small “picnic park” operating there at the time and the owner made them a very attractive offer to assume ownership. The Fasnacht’s couldn’t stop thinking about it when they got home. And, even after the Great Atlantic Storm of 1962 devastated the eastern seacoast, the family still went ahead with the sale, buying Funland and establishing memories and traditions for Delaware residents and tourists. Now, there are seemingly dozens of family members from multiple generations running the theme park.
When it comes to rides, you have to hit up the Haunted Mansion, the perfect creepy counterpoint to a day at the boardwalk. And The Sea Dragon is the biggest, most thrilling ride available, so it’s worth jumping on the dragon boat and holding your breath because you are sure during an upswing it is going to hit a neighboring home. Plus, they have a Zoltar machine.
Maryland: Trimper’s Rides (Ocean City)
Let’s ease into this with a defunct park that we think has a curious progression. The Enchanted Forest is similar to many parks that opened in the mid-century. It was aimed at families with small children and featured a nursery rhyme theme highlighted by fairy tale buildings and characters (there weren’t any mechanical rides at first). Unlike contemporary parks of the 1950s, it was an integrated park from day one. It had a period during which it thrived, but after The Harrison Family who opened it sold the park, it floundered — eventually closing entirely in 1995. What we find interesting is that unlike many abandoned theme parks, Enchanted Forest had all of its structures and statues moved to a farm for display and preservation. That’s heartwarming.
Our pick for the state has an even longer history, having been founded in 1893 as The Windsor Resort. Daniel B. Trimper and his wife Margaret, the great-grandparents of the current park manager and president moved to Ocean City in 1890, and they owned boardwalk property, including two hotels, by 1893. It was this property that constituted the resort. In 1912, Daniel Trimper purchased a simply huge carousel that was 50-feet in diameter and with a specialness seen only in a sister carousel at Coney Island. The ride featured 45 animals, three chariots, and a rocking chair all powered by a steam engine. It is classified as one of the oldest carousels in the nation still in operation. Over time, other rides were added, and though many of the present ones date back to the 1920s, they have all been well preserved.
Pennsylvania: Knoebels Amusement Park (Elysburg)
Before we get to the amazing Knoebels, let us at least spend a little time discussing Dutch Wonderland, a 48-acre theme park opened in 1963. It was the brainchild of a potato broker and hotel owner named Earl Clark, who actually built the stone façade of the park entirely by himself. He (like many of the other innovative theme park owners on this list) saw the need for family entertainment in his region of the state. It’s geared toward children, but the park is so special and sweet that we couldn’t help but include a mention. With 35 attractions, a water play area, and live entertainment, it’s worth a visit.
Knoebels opened in 1926 and has remained the nation’s largest free-admission park for its entire period of operation. And it’s not the bare bones operation a lot of our choices have been. It has more than 60 rides, three wooden coasters, a steel roller coaster, and a 1913 carousel (can you tell we love a vintage carousel yet?). Plus, the park is still owned and operated by the Knoebel family, who also have a lumber yard next door. In the early 20th century, the area where Knoebels now stands was known as Peggy’s Farm, and Henry Knoebel who farmed nearby, took to tending horses of picnicking visitors and later selling them refreshments. Over time, Knoebels Grove grew more and more popular, so he began leasing land for summer cottage sites (some of which still exist in the park). In 1926, Knoebel added a restaurant, a cement swimming pool, a steam-powered carousel, and some games.
New Hampshire: Story Land (Glen)
We completely accept that this is a park that is geared to children and not to thrills for adults. But, we also have rowdy, controlling inner children, so what do you do? Plus, we love this park’s origin story (the story of Story Land, if you will). It was the 1950s and Bob and Ruth Morrell were living in Germany when the husband and wife from Conway New Hampshire were surprised by a visit from Frau Edith Von Arps, who had created dolls based on fairy tale characters. She was selling them door-to-door. The couple befriended her and bought dozens of the dolls before returning home. In addition to the colorful characters, the old woman gave them an idea: build a small village around her dolls.
The Morrells opted to build more than a doll village. They wanted a destination where storybook animals could live, and storybook characters could come to life. The idea was planted and it grew to include rides and play areas. In 1954, they bought affordable land and using local help, they constructed a wonderland. And, this was before Walt Disney changed the game. By the 1960s, the park had a steady flow of visitors, and new rides and attractions, including an ancient German carousel and a fleet of Swan Boats, were added.
We love the park. We love the lore. And, we love the spirit of a million happy visits that permeates this place.
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