Coney Island, The Beach, and Kings Island: These
classic Cincinnati amusement parks may sound similar, but each offers
unique experiences with signature rides, distinctive attractions and
spotlight events throughout the summer.
CONEY ISLAND Coney Island has been the amusement park of
Cincinnati for more than a century. This year marks the 125th
anniversary of the park's opening. Visitors to the park, situated beside
the idyllic Lake Como, can take advantage of the location by renting
canoes or paddle boats for an afternoon on the water. The more
adventuresome can climb into a bumper boat, a fun update to the classic
bumper car.
Sunlite Pool, a stunning headliner at Coney Island,
is a massive 200-by-401-foot swimming pool, the largest flat-surface
pool in North America. It includes an acre of shallow water for the
kids, as well as diving boards and a variety of water slides, even one
right in the middle of the water.
The newest addition to this gargantuan pool is the
Twister, a water slide with four chutes, two for inner tubes that you
can ride single or double and two body slides.
Though the water may be the biggest attraction at
Coney, the park also features the Tempest, a spinning ride that is
unlike anything else in Ohio. Don't miss the Dodgems, Tilt-a-Whirl and
the Trabant. Kids will enjoy the long slide, boats and trains, and the
Turtle Parade. From a 40-foot ferris wheel to the recently-installed
EuroBungy Dome, Coney has enough to keep the whole family busy all day.
6201 Kellogg Ave., Cincinnati, (513) 232-8230 or
www.coneyislandpark.com.
KINGS ISLAND
Showcasing inventive rides, especially The Beast,
the longest wooden coaster in the world, Kings Island is constantly
updating attractions. This year, the park is unveiling The Windseeker, a
301-foot tall tower that will hoist riders up 30 stories in suspended
swings and then rotate at speeds of up to 30 mph.
"It's a combination of Drop Tower, Zephyr and a
little bit of Delirium," says Don Helbig, public relations manager. The
Windseeker will appeal to the adventurous, part of Kings Island's move
toward more extreme rides in recent times.
The Windseeker will be joining a tradition of
innovative rides, especially roller coasters. With names like Delirium,
Firehawk, Flight of Fear, Invertigo and Vortex, these rides are for the
hardcore amusement park patron.
Not all the rides are so intense. Families can enjoy
the classic White Water Canyon, Adventure Express coaster and the Grand
Carousel. For smaller children, the recently renamed Planet Snoopy is
home to a variety of Peanuts-themed rides and activities. Boomerang Bay
features water rides to help visitors cool off during the hot summer
months and is included in admission price.
People should check online for discounted tickets,
suggests Helbig. "A lot of people don't know about the "¢pay once, visit
twice' deal." So check Kings Island's website before you head out for a
day of thrills.
5688 Kings Island Drive, Mason,
(513) 754-5700 or www.visitkingsisland.com.
THE BEACH WATERPARKIf you're looking for a true escape, check out The
Beach Waterpark. With live palm trees, sandy beaches, waterfalls and
Reggae music, you can easily imagine you just stepped off a cruise ship
and onto the tropical coast of Aruba. Named the Number One Privately
Owned Waterpark in the Nation by Aquatics International Magazine, The
Beach features rides as diverse as the Aztec Adventure, the Midwest's
only water coaster, and the Lazy Miami River, a relaxing 1,200-foot
float around the park in inner tubes that appeals to all ages.
2590 Waterpark Drive , Mason, Ohio,
(513) 398-7946 or www.thebeachwaterpark.com.
CEDAR POINT
Further afield but worth the trip is Cedar Point in
Sandusky, Ohio. Known for the Top Thrill Dragster, a roller coaster that
reaches 420 feet into the sky, Cedar Point is an amusement park to
experience.
1 Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky, Ohio,