Why You Won't Want To Miss Visiting The Largest Theme Park In The Midwest

In an unassuming suburban area just outside of Cincinnati, Ohio, you can visit one of the top amusement parks in the United States. Encompassing 364 acres, Kings Island is the largest amusement park in the Midwest and continuously ranks amongst the top five amusement parks in the country.

With more than 100 rides and attractions, live performances, a water park, and a nightly fireworks show, it's easy to see why millions of people visit the park yearly. Thrill seekers can choose between numerous wild roller coasters to get their adrenaline pumping, while families with small children can enjoy family-friendly rides in the children's themed area called Planet Snoopy.

For more than 50 years, Kings Island has remained one of the top attractions in Ohio. Originally built in the early 1970s, it was used as a film location for episodes of hit TV series like "The Partridge Family" and "The Brady Bunch."

Since opening in the 1970s, the park has continued to expand, with more rides being added each year, so there is always something new to explore. If you want an incredible amusement park experience, don't skip a trip to Kings Island.

Whether you're a roller coaster connoisseur looking for the ultimate thrill or seeking a fun day out to entertain the kids, Kings Island has you covered. Hop on any of the park's 16 roller coasters for gravity-defying twists and turns, ranking in intensity from "family-friendly" to "extreme."

Kings Island is home to the world's longest wooden roller coaster, The Beast, which covers 7,361 feet as it climbs, plunges, and twists through wooded terrain. Orion is another favorite and was voted Best New Amusement Park Attraction by USA TODAY. Not for the faint of heart, the ride is the 7th tallest roller coaster in the world and reaches a speed of 91 miles per hour.

For a kid-friendly experience, head to Planet Snoopy, where kids and their families can hang with the Peanuts gang while enjoying interactive experiences and rides. It's been repeatedly voted one of the best kids' areas in the world. It is currently undergoing another expansion – the new Camp Snoopy area is scheduled to open in 2024. On hot days, head straight to Soak City. The waterpark has 36 water slides, a wave pool, and other ways to splash around and get wet. Afterward, enjoy dinner at one of the delicious restaurants on International Street before catching the nightly fireworks show at 10 p.m.

A single adult ticket for Kings Island costs under $100. Various discounted ticket options are available throughout the year, so check the website for more information.

Kings Island is a seasonal amusement park, which opens for the year around April 15th. The park stays open seven days a week through August 20th and then moves to weekends. After the summer season, Kings Island will partially reopen for a few exciting seasonal events throughout the colder months.

Fans of all things spooky will love visiting Kings Island during the fall, with plenty of fun activities for kids and adults. Families with little ones will love the Tricks and Treats Fall Fest, open on weekends from September 25th through October 30th. Enjoy fall activities, trick-or-treating, themed food, live music, and live performances that the whole family will love.

When darkness falls on fall nights, Kings Island transforms into one of the best spooky attractions in the country. In fact, Halloween Haunt is so scary that it is recommended for mature audiences only, and children under 13 are discouraged from attending. Haunted mazes, terrifying monsters, and night rides on some of the park's most thrilling roller coasters make this an unforgettable experience.

From November 24th through December 31st, bundle up and head back to Kings Island for the annual Winter Fest. The park transforms into a winter wonderland with ice skating, rides, holiday lights and decor, and plenty of live entertainment.