Are you looking for some fun and exciting places to visit with your family or friends? If so, you might want to check out some of the amusement parks and theme parks in Missouri and nearby states. Whether you are looking for thrilling rides, water slides, live shows, or educational attractions, there is something for everyone at these parks. Here are some of the best amusement parks in Missouri and theme parks:
Silver Dollar City
Silver Dollar City is one of the best theme parks in Missouri and an internationally awarded 1880s-style theme park located in Branson, Missouri. It features over 40 thrilling rides & attractions, live shows & concerts, 100 resident craftsmen demonstrating America’s heritage crafts, 18 award-winning restaurants, and 60 unique shops – all sitting atop one of Missouri’s deepest caves. World-class festivals and events are showcased from spring through Christmas – during which the park is illuminated with over 6.5 million lights! Silver Dollar City is located a few miles west of Branson just off of Hwy 76.
Some of the most popular attractions at Silver Dollar City include:
- Outlaw Run: A wooden roller coaster that features a double barrel roll and a 153-foot drop at 81 degrees.
- Time Traveler: A steel roller coaster that spins 360 degrees as it travels through loops, drops, and inversions.
- Fireman’s Landing: A themed area that celebrates the spirit of firefighters with 10 family-friendly rides and attractions, such as FireFall, Fire Spotter, Fire Wagon Frenzy, and Firehouse Splash Yard.
- Marvel Cave: A natural wonder that offers guided tours through the Cathedral Room, the Mammoth Room, the Devil’s Den, and the Waterfall Room.
Silver Dollar City also hosts various festivals throughout the year, such as:
- Bluegrass & BBQ Festival: A celebration of bluegrass music and barbecue cuisine that features over 60 bands and performers, as well as mouthwatering ribs, brisket, pulled pork, and more.
- Harvest Festival: A showcase of craftsmanship and creativity that features over 125 visiting craftsmen, a pumpkin nights display with thousands of carved pumpkins, and a new cirque-style show called Celestial Circus.
- An Old Time Christmas: A festive event that transforms the park into a winter wonderland with over 6.5 million lights, a 5-story special effects Christmas tree, a light parade, a musical adaptation of A Christmas Carol, and more.
Silver Dollar City is open from mid-March to late December, with varying hours depending on the season and day. The admission prices range from $61 to $71 for adults, $51 to $61 for children (ages 4-11), and $59 to $69 for seniors (ages 62+). You can also purchase season passes or combo tickets that include other attractions in Branson.
Worlds of Fun/Oceans of Fun
Worlds of Fun/Oceans of Fun, a combination of an amusement park and a water park located in Kansas City, Missouri, is one of the most popular amusement parks in Kansas City. The park features over 100 rides, shows, and attractions, including seven world-class roller coasters, such as the Mamba, the Patriot, and the Prowler. The park also offers a variety of family-friendly and kids’ rides, such as the Grand Carrousel, the Planet Snoopy area, and the Dinosaurs Alive exhibit. Oceans of Fun is a 60-acre water park that features a giant wave pool, a lazy river, a four-story interactive water playhouse, and several water slides and raft rides. Worlds of Fun/Oceans of Fun is located on Worlds of Fun Avenue off I-435.
Some of the most popular attractions at Worlds of Fun/Oceans of Fun include:
- Mamba: A steel roller coaster that reaches speeds of up to 75 mph and heights of up to 205 feet as it twists and turns through four inversions and over 5,600 feet of track.
- Patriot: A steel roller coaster that simulates flight as it soars through four inversions, including a zero-G roll, a cobra roll, and a loop.
- Prowler: A wooden roller coaster that roars through the woods with sudden drops, sharp turns, and high-speed banked curves.
- Predator’s Plunge: A water slide that drops riders from a trap door into a near-vertical free fall before sending them through a high-speed loop.
- Shark’s Revenge: A water slide that propels riders through a series of twists, turns, and tunnels before plunging them into a pool of water.
- Caribbean Cooler: A lazy river that winds through tropical scenery and relaxing water features.
Worlds of Fun/Oceans of Fun also hosts various events throughout the year, such as:
- Grand Carnivale: A celebration of cultures from around the world that features a parade, a street party, live entertainment, and authentic cuisine.
- Halloween Haunt: A spooky event that transforms the park into a nightmare with haunted mazes, scare zones, live shows, and more.
- WinterFest: A festive event that turns the park into a holiday wonderland with millions of lights, ice skating, live shows, and more.
Worlds of Fun/Oceans of Fun is open from late April to early January, with varying hours depending on the season and day. The admission prices for the theme park in Branson Missouri range from $45 to $60 for adults, $40 to $55 for children (under 48 inches), and free for children (ages 2 and under). You can also purchase season passes or add-ons that include parking, dining, or fast-lane access.
Legoland Discovery Center
Legoland Discovery Center is not only an indoor attraction that offers a fun and educational experience for kids and Lego fans of all ages, but also one of the most amazing Missouri amusement parks. Located in Kansas City, Missouri, the center features 10 Lego-themed zones, such as Miniland, where you can see Kansas City landmarks made out of Lego bricks; Lego Racers, where you can build and race your own Lego car; Lego 4D Cinema, where you can watch exclusive Lego movies with special effects; and Lego Factory Tour, where you can learn how Lego bricks are made. The center also has a cafe, a shop, and a party room for birthday celebrations. Legoland Discovery Center is located at Crown Center Square on Grand Boulevard.
Some of the most popular attractions at Legoland Discovery Center include:
- Miniland: A miniature replica of Kansas City that features iconic buildings and landmarks, such as the Liberty Memorial, the Kauffman Center, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, and more. The display also changes according to the time of day and season.
- Lego Ninjago Training Camp: A themed area that challenges kids to become ninja masters by testing their skills in interactive games and activities, such as laser maze, reaction game, spinjitzu master game, and more.
- Lego Friends Heartlake City: A themed area that invites kids to join the Lego Friends characters in their hometown of Heartlake City. Kids can explore Olivia’s House, build their own creations at the Creative Workshop, sing along at the Karaoke Stage, and more.
- Pirate Adventure Island: A themed area that transports kids to a pirate-themed island where they can build their own pirate ship, search for treasure, climb the lookout tower, and more.
Legoland Discovery Center also hosts various events throughout the year, such as:
- Lego Star Wars Days: A celebration of the Lego Star Wars franchise that features themed activities, such as building your own starship, meeting your favorite characters, joining the scavenger hunt, and more.
- Brick or Treat: A Halloween-themed event that features spooky activities, such as building your own pumpkin, dressing up in costumes, trick-or-treating for candy, and more.
- Holiday Bricktacular: A festive event that features holiday activities, such as building your own gingerbread house, meeting Santa Claus, joining the scavenger hunt for elves, and more.
Legoland Discovery Center is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with last admission at 4 p.m. The admission prices range from $19.95 to $24.95 for adults and children (ages 3+), and free for children (ages 2 and under). You can also purchase annual passes or combo tickets that include other attractions at Crown Center.
Sun Splash Family Waterpark
Sun Splash Family Waterpark is a seasonal outdoor water park that offers a refreshing and fun way to beat the heat in Cape Coral, Florida. The park features 14 acres of water attractions, such as the Electric Slide, the Cape Fear slide tower, the Zoom Flume slide complex, the Pirate’s Cove interactive play area, and the Tot Spot for toddlers. The park also has a sand volleyball court, a gift shop, a snack bar, and cabanas for rent. Sun Splash Family Waterpark is located on Santa Barbara Boulevard near Pine Island Road.
Some of the most popular attractions at Sun Splash Family Waterpark include:
- Electric Slide: A water slide that sends riders through a dark tunnel with flashing lights and sound effects before splashing into a pool of water.
- Cape Fear: A water slide that features a 30-foot drop and a 215-foot-long enclosed flume that twists and turns in complete darkness.
- Zoom Flume: A water slide that consists of two open flumes that spiral down from a 50-foot-high platform and cross each other several times.
- Pirate’s Cove: A water play area that features a pirate ship with water cannons, slides, and a tipping bucket that dumps hundreds of gallons of water every few minutes.
- Tot Spot: A water play area that is designed for toddlers and young children, with shallow pools, gentle slides, fountains, and spray features.
Sun Splash Family Waterpark also hosts various events throughout the year, such as:
- Family Fun Nights: A series of evenings that allow guests to enjoy the park after hours with music, games, and discounted admission prices.
- Aqua Theatre Nights: A series of evenings that feature movies on a giant inflatable screen that can be viewed from the water or the lawn.
- Mother’s Day and Father’s Day Specials: A promotion that offers free admission for mothers or fathers with the purchase of a regular-priced child admission ticket.
Sun Splash Family Waterpark is open from mid-March to late September, with varying hours depending on the season and day. The admission prices range from $14.95 to $19.95 for adults (ages 13+), $12.95 to $17.95 for children (ages 2-12), and free for children (ages 1 and under). You can also purchase season passes or cabanas for rent.
The Bottom Line
These are just some of the amazing amusement parks and theme parks that you can visit in Missouri and nearby states, or you can search for “amusement parks near me” to find more options. Whether you are looking for adrenaline-pumping rides, splash-tastic slides, or creative and educational activities, you will find something to suit your taste and budget at these parks. So pack your bags and get ready for some unforgettable adventures at these parks!
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