Visit the world’s best amusement parks

by Aimee Heckel · January 17, 2014

Cedar Point has been named the best amusement park in the world for many years.

By Aimee Heckel

There’s more to amusement than Walt Disney. But just like a popular Disney vacation, an entertaining amusement park can be a great focal point for a fun family vacation.

Here are three of the world’s best amusement parks.

1. Parc Astrex in Paris.

Paris is known for its fashion, elegance, art and fine food. But it’s also home to a crazy, Gallic-themed, humorous amusement park. Parc Astrex features 32 different attractions, including an inverted roller coaster with seven loops, river rides and plenty of other drops, spins and splashes. This park also offers shows, dolphins and a virtual tour through history. Meet Caesar, Zeus, Roman legends and more.

2. Cedar Point in Ohio.

This place has been voted “the best amusement park in the world” for 15 consecutive years by Amusement Today, and it brings its A game with more than 150 different rides, shows and attractions. Check out the unique carousels, and if you dare, the Top Thrill Dragster, the fastest roller coaster in the park, which gets going 120 miles per hour.

For something new, try the RipCord or drive race cars in the Challenge Park. Dinosaur fans will love Dinosaurs Alive on Adventure Island, an interactive exhibit that brings dinosaurs to life.

New this year: the Pipe Scream roller coaster, which will fly you fast 43 feet above the midway.

3. Alton Towers in Staffordshire, United Kingdom.

This park claims to be the UK’s best, and it’d be hard to beat, with the world’s first 14 looping roller coaster (The Smiler), a zero-gravity thrill ride (The Blade) and a ride that reaches G-forces greater than a space shuttle launch (The Nemesis).

Save money on your next vacation — including tickets to amusement parks and other entertainment options — with these travel coupons.

Want to learn more about the best places to get a roller coaster rush? Pick up the book “America’s Top Roller Coasters and Amusement Parks,” by Pete Trabucco at Barnes and Noble for $8.49. Save money at Barnes and Noble with these coupons, paired with 4 percent Cash Back from ShopAtHome.com.

Read more articles about saving money at Barnes and Noble here.

Other articles you might also enjoy: