5 Best Theme Parks in the USA for Unlimited Fun

Theme parks are one of the easiest places to find fun for everyone, whether you’re traveling as a family or in a group of friends! There are thrills, scenic spots, and delicious dining experiences at every park for a full day of bonding. There are a lot of park options, like Universal Studios Hollywood and Disneylands in the USA that you’ll wanna visit, so we recommend finding the best of the best when you’re planning!

Here are five of the best theme parks in the US for maximum fun:

Movie lovers will absolutely love a trip to Universal Studios Hollywood! The park combines the charm of old Hollywood with the amazing new films and characters we all love today. The attraction that makes Universal Studios Hollywood one of the best theme parks in the US, though, is their World-Famous Studio Tour that’s exclusive to this Universal Studios location. Visitors get a sneak peek into real movie and TV show sets and even experience the magic of special effects themselves. 

At Universal Studios Hollywood, there’s something for everyone no matter what type of movies they like. The park is split into the Upper Lot and the Lower Lot.

Head over to the Upper Lot to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Make sure you grab all your wizarding gear, especially a wand at Ollivanders, then snap a pic at Hogwarts Castle! For a bite to eat, visit the Three Broomsticks, the favorite pub of Hogwarts students. 

Krustyland is another popular area at the Upper Lot for old-fashioned carnival games and the iconic Lard Lad Donuts. Other attractions you shouldn’t miss out on are Waterworld: A Live Sea War Spectacular, Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem, and Mel’s Diner! 

Drop by the Lower Lot for the newly-opened Super Nintendo World where you can immerse yourself in the world of Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and more! Themed merchandise to make the experience more exciting are available at the 1-UP Factory: get matching Mario and Luigi outfits, headbands, stuffed animals, and more!

The classic thrill rides are also at the Lower Lot, such as Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride, Jurassic World: The Ride, and Transformers: The Ride 3D.

For those traveling with kids and kids-at-heart, Disneyland parks are the perfect place to put a smile on their faces; good thing there are two Disneylands in the USA to choose from! The Disneyland Resort Park in California is made up of two different Disney parks in itself, so make sure you’ve planned at least two days to explore. 

Disneyland Park was the original park built by Walt Disney in 1955. It has nine themed lands—yup, nine! Some of the most popular areas at Disneyland Park are: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, where you can hop aboard the iconic ship in the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run ride; Critter Country for the ever-fun Splash Mountain ride, and; Tomorrowland for the one of the most thrilling coasters in the park, Space Mountain. New Orleans Square is another favorite because it’s where you can wine and dine at the ambient Blue Bayou Restaurant. While you’re walking around the park, don’t forget to try must-have snacks like churros and delicious turkey legs!

Disney California Adventure opened years after the original Disneyland Park in 2001. At this park, there are eight themed lands; here are some of the attractions you should add to your itinerary. Head over to Hollywood Land for Turtle Talk with Crush and a Meet and Greet with Anna & Elsa! Afterwards, make your way to The Avengers Campus for a super time on the Guardians of the Galaxy–Mission: Breakout! Ride and a meal fit for heroes at the Pym Test Kitchen. Last, but not least, check out Cars Land for a high-speed chase at Radiators Springs Racers and Flo’s V8 Cafe for a bite to eat!

If you haven’t heard of Belmont Park San Diego, then you’re missing out! This is the best theme park in the US for thrill-seekers, adventurers, and beach-lovers because it’s located right next to the beach. 

Make sure you get on these rides early as they could be filled with thrill-seekers throughout the day. For the most adrenaline, the historic Giant Dipper Roller Coaster should be number one on your list. At a speed of 48mph, get ready for sharp dips and turns, all with a great view of the ocean! For more flippin’ good times, try out the Beach Blaster to spin up to 67 feet high, and the Flip Out where you can control your own ride upside down and rightside up! 

The young ones won’t be missing out on any of the fun with slower but still exciting rides, like the Liberty Carousel, Tilt-A-Whirl, and Speedway.

If you’re not much of a rollercoaster person, there’s also loads of fun activities waiting for you at Belmont Park. Big groups will have the most fun with a game of laser tag, or a chill game of mini golf. But if you can muster up the courage, a zipline, rock wall, and coconut climb await you! 

The best part about a theme park on the beach is beachfront restaurants! Draft Mission Beach is perfect for chillin’ with a beer and a sports game. If you prefer cocktails and a beachfront tiki bar, Beach House has both, as well as cabanas for you to relax at. For another view of the beach, try out Cannonball, which has San Diego’s largest oceanfront rooftop—what more could you need?

There are also quick bites perfect for a beach trip, like Dole Soft Serve, ICEEs, and midway snacks!

If you grew up building LEGOs and still love expressing your creativity through your creations, then LEGOLAND Florida’s going to be a treat! With 14 different areas and more than 50 rides, shows, attractions, restaurants, and shops, you’re probably never gonna want to leave one of the best amusement parks in the USA! 

There are rides aplenty at LEGOLAND Florida, but the Ford Driving School, LEGO NINJAGO: The Ride, and The Great LEGO Race are ones you can’t miss. For a break from the rides, drop by Brickbeard’s Watersport Stunt Show or the 4D Theater for a movie-viewing experience. Attractions aren’t the only things that’ll wow you at LEGOLAND Florida, the dining experiences will as well! Visit the Funnel Cake Factory, the Ninja Kitchen Food Truck, and the Ultimate Sandwich Builder for unique and delicious dishes. Before you go, take home a souvenir from Wu’s Warehouse to commemorate your trip!

Walt Disney World Orlando is one of the biggest and one of the best theme parks in the US by far! It’s definitely a must visit whether you’re a Disney fan or not. This park has four main areas and two water parks—you’ll absolutely need more than a day to try everything out.

Walt Disney World Orlando’s four main areas are Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom, each with their own unique activities and attractions!

There are six more lands at Magic Kingdom, but this fairytale-themed area is where you should go to board the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, the Haunted Mansion, and catch a viewing of Mickey’s PhilharMagic show.

Head over to EPCOT for a fascinating experience that combines fun and education into one, especially at fan-favorite attractions like Spaceship Earth and Mission: Space. 

Experience your favorite movies come to life at any of Hollywood Studios’ seven areas with rides and attractions like Lucasfilm Star Tours–The Adventures Continue, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. 

Animal-lovers and outdoor enthusiasts will have the best time at Animal Kingdom where you’ll not only be able to meet cute creatures on the Kilimanjaro Safari, but go on themed rides like Avatar Flight of Passage as well!

After a tiring day, you can fuel up or cap the day off at The BOATHOUSE for waterfront dining on dreamboats—what could be more picturesque than this? Amorette’s Patisserie is also a must for adorable Disney-themed desserts to complete your magical day. 

Now that you’ve got all the info on the best theme parks in the US, have you decided on a park you wanna visit? These are some of the most popular parks in the country, so we recommend planning your visit and booking your tickets early!