Looking to get your theme park fix? Check out 3 options for thrill-seekers in Kentucky
Just about anywhere in Kentucky, you’re only a short drive from the escapist fun an amusement park can offer.
Theme parks are a popular summer getaway. In 2022, 178.5 million guests visited the top 25 amusement parks in the world, according to a report from the Themed Entertainment Association. That’s nearly 54 million more guests than 2021.
The top 20 theme parks in North America drew 140.5 million guests, the report continued.
If you’re looking to try something new this summer, here’s a look at some of the bigger attractions nearby, what they offer and how much tickets will cost. Plus, we’ve got one destination that flies under the radar and has a lot more to offer than the conventional amusement park.
Kentucky Kingdom - Louisville, Ky.
As the state’s largest amusement and water park, Kentucky Kingdom and Hurricane Bay span more than 67 acres and offer 70-plus attractions. You can find it at 937 Phillips Lane in Louisville.
New this year the park will host its first-ever fireworks show, Summer Blast, which begins July 7 and runs every Friday and Saturday throughout the month. The show will feature magicians, local musicians, stunt performers, a water circus and a live comedy show.
Roller coaster enthusiasts won’t want to miss riding Storm Chaser. Standing 100 feet tall at its highest point, this wooden coaster’s claim to fame is being the first in the U.S. to feature a barrel-roll drop from 10 stories up. The angle of that drop is 78 degrees, an almost straight-down descent. There’s also Lightning Run, a 10-story steel coaster that features an even steeper, 80-degree drop from 100 feet high.
One-day admission for adults is between $30 and $50, and for two days it’s about $55. Children and seniors get a $4 discount on their admission. There are also dining plans available for purchase that cost roughly $30 per plan. The park’s season passes come with several perks, like free parking. Those are $90, but you can get three other season passes for free through a special offer on the park’s website.
Kings Island – Cincinnati, Ohio
While this park is about 30 minutes outside of Cincinnati, we’re including it because of the park’s appealing discount for out-of-state visitors. Kentucky visitors can get 50% off when they buy a ticket for single day admission, according to Kings Island’s website. Those tickets also cover admission to Soak City, its waterpark.
Two-day tickets are $95. For a season pass, you’ll pay $115, though it does include parking and some other perks.
For attractions, Kings Island has 15 roller coasters of various thrill levels, but the park’s most notable ride is The Beast. Since 1979, it’s held on to the record for the longest wooden roller coaster in the world, according to CNN.
You’ll find Kings Island at 6300 Kings Island Drive in Mason, Ohio.
Beech Bend – Bowling Green, Ky.
Located in Bowling Green, Beech Bend sits on 379 acres of rolling hills covered in beech trees and bounded by the Barren River, hence the name.
Established in 1898, Beech Bend is more than an amusement park. There’s truly a lot to see and do here, from thrill rides in the amusement park, to the Splash Lagoon water park and drag races at the Beech Bend dragstrip every weekend. There’s also a campground, offering convenience to the park and its attractions.
Tickets for adults are $45 (before the 6% sales tax), and children get in for $35. Children younger than 2 years old get in free, as do military members with a valid military photo ID.
You’re also a short drive from other sights in Bowling Green. The local Corvette Assembly Plant is the only location in the world where the timeless sports cars are made. Another area attraction is a boat tour of Lost River Cave. The cave and the deep valley it’s located within once sheltered 40,000 Union Army troops during the American Civil War. The outlaw Jesse James once laid low there after a heist, and it was the site of the Cavern Nite Club shortly after Prohibition ended.
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