Tourist Places, Amusement Places, Top World Destinations

Amusement Parks in California

2008-08-24T11:17:00.000-07:00

Here is a list of Amusement Parks in California that you wouldn't want to miss out on:

Belmont Park, San Diego

Belmont Park is a historic theme park located in the Mission Bay area of San Diego, California. Located on the beach, it attracts thousands of people each year. The attractions and rides include the Giant Dipper, a roller coaster that opened in 1925, a Tilt-A-Whirl, a three-story drop tower (the "Vertical Plunge"), the Liberty Carousel, an artificial wave, called the Wave House and an indoor swimming pool. Recently, the Wave House hosted Total Request Live. Newer attractions include a pendulum ride (called "The Beach Blaster") and "Chaos."

California's Great America, Santa Clara

California's Great America is an amusement park owned and operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, located in Santa Clara, California, USA. Though presented with the name "WonderWorld", it was used as the theme park in the 1994 film Beverly Hills Cop III.

Disneyland, Anaheim

Disneyland, marketed as the happiest place on Earth, has been visited by more than 515 million guests since it opened, including presidents, royalty and other heads of state. In 2007, over 14,800,000 people visited the park making it the second most visited park in the world.

Knott's Berry Farm, Buena Park

Originally established by Walter Knott and now owned and operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, the Knott's Berry Farm has a 90-year legacy in the United States.

Legoland California, Carlsbad

Legoland California is the third Legoland park to open, and is the only one outside of Europe. It is split into nine sections which include The Beginning, Dino Island, Explore Village, Fun Town, Knight's Kingdom, Miniland USA, Pirate Shores, Imagination Zone, and Land of Adventures.

Pacific Park, Santa Monica

The park (located on the Santa Monica Pier) looks directly out on the Pacific Ocean, in the direction of Catalina Island. There are a total of twelve rides in Pacific Park, including a Ferris wheel that provides a view of the Pacific Ocean and a roller coaster that circles the majority of the park. The park also includes various attractions including a miniature golf course.

Six Flags Magic Mountain

Magic Mountain was the first park in the world to have a 360-degree steel looping coaster. It's close proximity to Los Angeles, the hub of the American film and television industry, has resulted in its appearance in several productions including Entourage, Encino Man, My Life, On the Air Live with Captain Midnight.

Amusement parks in Pennsylvania

2008-08-21T23:27:00.000-07:00

Camelbeach Waterpark, Tannersville

Camelbeach Waterpark is a water park located in the Pocono Mountains, in Tannersville, Pennsylvania at Big Pocono State Park.Camelbeach contains over 30 waterslides (the most in Pennsylvania) as well as many other attractions. Aquatics International magazine awarded the park "Best Commercial Waterpark" for parks gathering 100,000 through 300,000 visitors each year.

DelGrosso's Amusement Park, Tipton

DelGrosso's Amusement Park is an amusement park located in Tipton, Pennsylvania, one of the northern suburbs of Altoona, Pennsylvania. The park today is known for its family-friendly ride line-up and food, as well as free parking and admission

Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, Allentown

Dorney Park is one of the most popular amusement parks on the East Coast of the United States. It is an especially popular recreational destination for residents from Philadelphia and New York City, both of which are less than 90 miles (140 km) from the park.

Dutch Wonderland, Lancaster

Dutch Wonderland is a 48-acre amusement park just east of Lancaster, Pennsylvania appealing primarily to families with small children. The park's theme is a "Kingdom for Kids." Dutch Wonderland features 34 rides, a water park called Duke's Lagoon (named for a purple dragon costumed character), along with shows and games for children. In addition to Duke the dragon, the park also features costumed characters Princess Brooke, and an unnamed knight.

Kennywood, West Mifflin

Kennywood is an amusement park near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the borough of West Mifflin. It ranked second to Cedar Point in the category of "Favorite Park" in Theme Park Magazine's 2004 Reader's Choice Awards. One of only two amusement parks listed in the National Register of Historic Places, Kennywood also is one of the few amusement parks that still allow guests to bring their own picnic lunch, and is alcohol-free.

Knoebels, Elysburg

The park has over 50 rides, free admission, two world-class wooden roller coasters, a 1913 carousel and a haunted house dark ride that has been featured on the Discovery Channel. The park and its rides have won awards from organizations such as Amusement Today, American Coaster Enthusiasts and The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions. The park has won the Amusement Today Golden Ticket award for best amusement park food for the last 7 years.

Lakemont Park, Altoona

The Lakemont Park houses the world's oldest-surviving roller coaster, the Leap-The-Dips.

Waldameer Park, Erie

The park is admission-free, with a busy midway, well appointed grounds, and covered picnic facilities. The roller coasters and other major rides require the display of a paid wristband. The water park operates an assortment of water slides and raft rides and is admission by fee only.

Amusement Parks in Ohio

2008-08-21T05:34:00.000-07:00

Ohio has a large number of amusement parks. Here is a list of our favourites.

1. Cedar Point, Sandusky

Cedar Point is a 364 acre (1.5 km²) amusement park located in Sandusky, Ohio, U.S. on a narrow peninsula jutting into Lake Erie. It currently holds the world record for most roller coasters with 17, one of them being the world's second tallest and second fastest roller coaster, Top Thrill Dragster, which reaches speeds of 120 mph and a height of 420 feet.

2. Coney Island, Cincinnati

Between about 1880 and World War II, Coney Island was the largest amusement area in the United States, attracting several million visitors per year. At its height it contained three competing major amusement parks, Luna Park, Dreamland, and Steeplechase Park, as well as many independent amusements.

Today the major parks are Astroland, Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park (a successful family owned park with over 20 rides located directly on the Boardwalk), 12th Street Amusements, and Kiddie Park.

3. Geauga Lake's Wildwater Kingdom, Aurora

Geauga Lake's Wildwater Kingdom is a waterpark located in Aurora, Ohio, United States, originally founded in 1888 as Geauga Lake.

4. Jungle Jack's Landing, Powell

Jungle Jack's Landing is a 'pay-per ride' style amusement park attached to and owned by the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium off of Riverside Drive in Columbus, Ohio. Since admission into Jungle Jack's Landing is free with a zoo admission, these rides cost a $1-2 fee. An unlimited all-day wristband can be purchased for $15 which also gives free rides on all the Columbus Zoo rides.

5. Kings Island, Kings Mills

Kings Island is a 364-acre theme park located in the city of Mason, in Warren County, Ohio, USA. The park is located 24 miles northeast of Cincinnati. Kings Island has also won Amusement Today's award for 'Best Kid's Area in the World' seven consecutive times (2001-2007). The centerpiece of Kings Island has always been its 1/3 scale replica of the Eiffel Tower shown above.

6. Memphis Kiddie Park, Cleveland

Memphis Kiddie Park is an 11-ride amusement park located in Brooklyn, Ohio, designed specifically for children and families. There are 11 rides and a miniature golf course for adults and kids.

7. Stricker's Grove, Ross

Stricker's Grove is a small family owned amusement park located in Ross, Ohio, USA. Unlike other amusement parks, Stricker's Grove is closed to the public for most of the year. Instead, it is rented out for private functions, such as weddings. The park is open to the public for two days a year, on July 4 and the second Sunday in August (Family Day)

Best Amusement Places in Germany

2008-05-17T03:45:00.000-07:00

Top Amusement Places in Germany

Gulliver-Welt, Saarbrücken, Saarland
Space Center, Bremen
Spree-Park, Berlin

Best Amusement Places in Baden-Württemberg

Auto & Technik Museum Sinsheim, Sinsheim
Erlebnispark Tripsdrill, Cleebronn
Europa-Park, Rust
Familien Park, Villingen-Schwenningen
Familienpark Funny-World, Kappel-Grafenhausen
Schwaben Park, Kaisersbach
Steinwasen Park, Oberried
Trampoline, Heilbronn
Traumland auf der Bärenhöhle, Sonnenbühl

Best Amusement Places in Bavaria

Bayern Park, Reisbach
Churpfalzpark, Loifling
Fränkisches Wunderland, Plech
Freizeit- und Miniaturpark Allgäu, Weitnau
Freizeit-Land Geiselwind, Geiselwind
Funhall Mering, Mering
Legoland Deutschland, Günzburg
Märchenwald im Isartal, Wolfratshausen
Schloß Thurn, Heroldsbach
Skyline Park, Bad Wörishofen
Sport+Freizeitzentrum Hohenbogen, Neukirchen beim Heiligen Blut

Best Amusement Places in Hamburg

Hugo Haase Park, Stellingen
Luna Park, Altona

Best Amusement Places in Hesse

Erlebnispark Steinau, Steinau an der Straße
Erlebnispark Ziegenhagen, Witzenhausen
Freizeitpark Lochmühle, Wehrheim
Rodelparadies Wasserkuppe, Gersfeld
Salzberger ErlebnisPark, Neuenstein
Taunus Wunderland, Schlangenbad
Wild- und Freizeitpark Willingen, Willingen
Zoo Frankfurt, Frankfurt

Best Amusement Places in Lower Saxony

Erse-Park, Uetze
Freizeitpark Kirchhorst, Isernhagen
Heide Park, Soltau
Jaderpark, Jade
Lütge Land, Wittmund
Magic Park Verden, Verden
Nordsee Spielstadt Wangerland, Hohenkirchen
Rasti-Land, Salzhemmendorf
Serengeti Safaripark, Hodenhagen
Tier- und Freizeitpark Thüle, Friesoythe
Wildpark Schwarze Berge, Rosengarten

Best Amusement Places in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

Pfiff-ErlebnisPark, Gülzow-Prüzen
Rügen Park, Gingst

Best Amusement Places in North Rhine-Westphalia

Affen- und Vogelpark, Reichshof Eckenhagen
CentrO.Park, Oberhausen
Fort Fun Abenteuerland, Bestwig
Freizeitanlage Start und Ziel, Herne
Freizeitzentrum SchiederSee, Delbrück
Hollywood & Safaripark Stukenbrock, Stukenbrock
Kernie's Familienpark, Kalkar
Panorama Park, Kirchhundem
Phantasialand, Brühl
Potts Park, Minden
Spielerei Rheda-Wiedenbrück, Rheda-Wiedenbrück
Tierpark Nadermann, Schöning

Best Amusement Places in Bottrop

Movie Park Germany (aka: Warner Bros. Movie World Germany, Bavaria Filmpark Bottrop, Neue Traumland, TraumlandPark, Kirchhellener Märchenwald)
Schloss Beck, Bottrop

Best Amusement Places inKöln

Kölner Tivoli
Tobiland

Best Amusement Places in Rhineland-Palatinate

Eifelpark, Gondorf
FreizeitPark Bell, Bell
Holiday Park, Haßloch
Technik Museum Speyer, Speyer
Wild- und Freizeitpark Klotten/Cochem, Klotten

Best Amusement Places in Saxony

Belantis, Leipzig
Sonnenlandpark, Lichtenau

Best Amusement Places inSaxony-Anhalt

Erlebnistierpark Memleben, Memleben
Erlebniswelt Seilbahnen Thale, Thale

Best Amusement Places in Schleswig-Holstein

Hansa Park (aka: Hansaland, Legoland Sierksdorf), Sierksdorf
Tolk Schau, Tolk

Best Amusement Places in Thuringia

Freizeitpark Plohn (aka: Erlebnispark Forellenhof Plohn), Lengenfeld
Märchenwald Saalburg, Saalburg

Best Amusement Places in Belgium

2008-05-17T03:42:00.001-07:00

Top Amusement Places in Belgium

Expo '58, Brussels
Plopsa Coo (aka: TéléCoo), Stavelot, Liège
ZoetWaterPark (aka: Zoete Waters), Oud-Heverlee, Flemish Brabant
Walibi Belgium (aka: Six Flags Belgium, Walibi Wavre, Walibi), Wavre, Walloon Brabant
Euro Space Center, Transinne

Antwerp

Bobbejaanland, Lichtaart
Circus Bruul, Geel

Limburg

Plopsa Indoor Hasselt, Hasselt
Technisch Instituut Sint-Jansberg (aka: Technische School Sint-Jansberg), Maaseik

West Flanders

Bellewaerde (aka: Safari Bellewaerde, Toeristisch Centrum Bellewaerde), Ypres
Boudewijn Seapark (aka: Dolfinarium Brugge, Boudewijnpark), Bruges
Plopsaland De Panne (aka: Meli Park), Adinkerke-De Panne

Best Amusement Places in France

2008-05-17T03:25:00.001-07:00

Top Amusement Places in France

Europark, Vias, Languedoc-Roussillon
Futuroscope, Poitiers, Poitou-Charentes
Le Pal, Dompierre Sur Bresbe, Centre
Nigloland, Dolancourt, Champagne-Ardenne
Parc du Bocasse, Bocasse, Haute-Normandie
Vulcania, Saint-Ours-les-Roches, Auvergne

Best Amusement Places in Alsace

Cigoland, Kintzheim
Didi'Land (aka: Fantasialand), Morsbronn-les-Bains

Best Amusement Places in Aquitaine

Kid Parc, Gujan Mestras
Parc Fenestre, La Bourboule
Walibi Aquitaine, Roquefort

Best Amusement Places in Basse-Normandie

Festyland, Bretteville-Sur-Odon
Parc Festyland, Caen

Best Amusement Places in Brittany

Cobac Parc, Lanhélin
La Récré des 3 Curés, Milizac

Best Amusement Places in Burgundy

Florida Parc, Brochon
Parc Récréatif de la Toison d'or, Dijon
Parc Touristique des Combes, Creusot
Touro Parc, Romanèche-Thorins

Best Amusement Places in Ile-de-France

Fami Parc, Nonville
France Miniature, Élancourt
Jardin d'Acclimatation, Paris
Mirapolis, Cergy-Pointoise

Best Amusement Places in Marne-la-Vallée

Disneyland Resort Paris (aka: Euro Disneyland Paris, Euro Disneyland)
Walt Disney Studios Park

Best Amusement Places in Lorraine

Fraispertuis City, Jeanménil
Walygator Parc (aka: Walibi Lorraine, Walibi Schtroumpf, Big Bang Schtroumpf), Maizières-les-Metz

Best Amusement Places inNord-Pas de Calais

Bagatelle, Merlimont
Dennlys Parc, Dennebroeucq
Parc de Lomme, Lomme

Best Amusement Places in Pays de la Loire

Holly Park, Échemiré
Papea City, Le Mans
Puy du Fou, Les Epesses

Best Amusement Places inPicardie

Mer de Sable, Ermenonville
Parc Astérix, Plailly
Parc Saint Paul, Saint-Paul

Best Amusement Places in Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur

Antibes Land, Antibes
Azur Park, St. Tropez
Koaland, Menton
Lunapark Fréjus, Fréjus
Magic Park Land (aka: El Dorado City), Aix-en-Provence
Magic World, Hyères
OK Corral, Cuges-les-Pins
Zygo Park (aka: Zygofolis), Nice

Best Amusement Places in Rhône-Alpes

Aérocity Parc, Aubenas
Walibi Rhône-Alpes (aka: Avenir Land), Les Avenières

Best Amusement Places in Austria

2008-05-17T03:25:00.000-07:00

Top Amusement Places in Austria

Jagdmärchenpark Hirschalm, Unterweißenbach, Upper Austria
Märchenpark Neusiedlersee, St. Margarethen, Burgenland
Wiener Prater, Vienna

Carinthia

Funny Park, Annenheim
1. Kärntner Erlebnispark, Hermagor

Salzburg

Erlebnispark Strasswalchen, Strasswalchen
Wild & Freizeitpark Ferleiten, Ferleiten

Styria

Freizeitzentrum Stubenberg, Stubenberg
Wild und Erlebnispark, Mautern in Steiermark

Tirol

Familienland Erlebnispark, Sankt Jakob in Haus
Freizeitzentrum Zahmer Kaiser, Walchsee
Spielpark Leutasch, Leutasch
Witches' Water, Söll

The World's Most Haunted Places

2008-03-17T20:38:00.000-07:00

1. The Myrtles Plantation

Location: St. Francisville, Louisiana, US

Legend: Touted as "one of America's most haunted homes", the plantation is supposedly home of at least 12 ghosts. It is often reported that 10 murders occurred in the house,but historical records only indicate the murder of William Winter(the owner's lawyer).

2. The Tower of London

Location: London, England

Legend: Scores of executions, murders and tortures that have taken place within its walls over the last 1,000 years. Dozens upon dozens of ghost sightings have been reported in and around the Tower. One of the most famous stories revolve around the spirit of Ann Boleyn, one of the wives of Henry VIII, who was also beheaded in the Tower in 1536. Her ghost has been spotted on many occasions, sometimes carrying her head, on Tower Green and in the Tower Chapel Royal.

3. Eastern State Penitentiary

Location:Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US

Legend: Reported haunting activity includes:

A shadow-like figure that scoots quickly away when approached.
A figure that stands in the guard tower.
An evil cackling reportedly comes from cellblock 12.
In cellblock 6, another shadowy figure has been seen sliding down the wall.
Mysterious, ghostly faces are said to appear in cellblock 4.

Unfortunately, not all of these cells are open to the public, even on the tours.

4. The Queen Mary

Location: Long Beach, California, US

Legend: This grand old ship is quite haunted, according to the many people who have worked on and visited the craft. Once a celebrated luxury ocean liner, when it ended its sailing days the Queen Mary was purchased by the city of Long Beach, California in 1967 and transformed into a hotel.

The most haunted area of the ship is the engine room where a 17-year-old sailor was crushed to death trying to escape a fire. Knocking and banging on the pipes around the door has been heard and recorded by numerous people. In what is now the front desk area of the hotel, visitors have seen the ghost of a "lady in white."

5. Waverly Hills Sanatorium

Location: Louisville, Kentucky, US

Legend:The original Waverly Hills Sanatorium, a two-story wooden structure, was opened in 1910, but the larger brick and concrete structure as it stand today was completed in 1926. The hospital was always dedicated to the treatment of tuberculosis patients, a disease that was fairly common in the early 20th Century.

It is estimated that as many as 63,000 people died as the sanatorium. Those deaths coupled with the reports of severe mistreatment of patients and highly questionable experiments and procedures are ingredients for a haunted location.

6. Tuen Mun Road

Loaction: Hong Kong

Legend: Over the years, hundreds of people have claimed that this highway is haunted. Since 1978, many lives have been lost due to car accidents on that expressway. The high death toll is blamed on ghosts because they supposedly pop up in the middle of the road when people are driving, thus causing them to make extremely sharp turns to avoid them and then end up crashing. The ghosts of past victims are said to be seen there at night and some drivers have even claimed that they lost complete control of their vehicle several times.

7. Bhangarh Fort

Location: Rajasthan, India

Legend: Bhangarh Fort is supposedly one of the most haunted places in India and, by government orders, staying after sunset is strictly prohibited in the area. According to the myth, the place was cursed by a tantrik that there will be such an incident that everybody in the palace would die and their souls will stay there for centuries without rebirth.

8. Dragsholm castle

Location: Sealand, Denmark

Legend: Three ghosts supposedly haunt the Dragsholm castle - Grey Lady, White Lady and the Earl of Bothwell. During the early part of the 20th century workers were tearing down some old walls for a new toilet complex. To their horror they came across a small recess in one of the walls which contained a small skeleton wearing a white dress.

9. Screaming Tunnel

Location: Niagra Falls, Canada

Legend: It is said that if one stands in a tunnel in one of the woods and lights a wooden match in the middle of the tunnel (at midnight), they will hear a scream when it blows out. The scream is said to be of a little girl who was burned alive by her deranged father, who lost a legal battle over the girl. Also, some have reported seeing the ghost of the father, sometimes carrying a lantern. There is a rumor stating that the ghost will stalk people, and that whoever gets caught by it will die suddenly.

10. Edinburgh Castle

Loaction: Edinburgh, Scotland

Legend: The castle has many ghosts, including a drummer who only appears when the castle is about to be attacked and a piper who disappeared in the tunnels between the castle and the High Street.

Best Places to Live in the US

2008-03-16T20:08:00.000-07:00

1. Middleton, Wis.

Population: 17,400
Median home price (2006): $290,269
Average property taxes (2005): $5,067
Pros: Small-town charm; booming economy; extensive parks and bike trails
Cons: Do you like winter?

2. Hanover, N.H.

Population: 8,500
Median home price (2006): $428,329*
Average property taxes (N/A): N/A
Pros: Rich cultural and community opportunities; diversity
Cons: Winter isn't for wimps.

3. Louisville, Colo.

Population: 19,400
Median home price (2006): $322,812
Average property taxes (2006): $1,986
Pros: Historic downtown; hiking and skiing
Cons: Tech-heavy economy

4. Lake Mary, Fla.

Population: 13,200
Median home price (2006): $321,173
Average property taxes (2005): $2,419
Pros: Big-economy jobs, small-town feel, no income tax
Cons: Florida summers, Florida hurricanes

5. Claremont, Calif.

Population: 35,900
Median home price (2006): $643,549
Average property taxes (2006): $2,834
Pros: Tight-knit community with topnotch schools
Cons: Poor air quality, high home prices

6. Papillion, Neb.

Population: 18,800
Median home price (2006): $173,774
Average property taxes (2005): $3,071
Pros: Outdoor recreation, growing local economy
Cons: Lack of arts and culture

7. Milton, Mass.

Population: 25,700
Median home price (2006): $527,670
Average property taxes (2006): $3,824
Pros: Close to Boston; borders conservation land
Cons: Traffic, little commercial activity

8. Chaska, Minn.

Population: 22,500
Median home price (2006): $272,932
Average property taxes (2006): $2,752
Pros: Quality jobs, a beautiful setting
Cons: Winter; highway expansion will spur growth

Nether Providence (Wallingford), Pa.

Population: 13,600
Median home price (2006): $309,319
Average property taxes (2006): $3,640
Pros: Affordable homes, top-rated schools
Cons: No real downtown

10. Suwanee, Ga.

Population: 11,200
Median home price (2006): $293,868
Average property taxes (2006):$2,311
Pros: Green space, affordable housing
Cons: Traffic, I-85 interchange