Best Amusement Parks Near DC for Kids of All Ages

1. Six Flags America — Bowie, MD

This enormous amusement park about a 40-minute drive from DC caters to every member of the family. The fearless might want to tackle the 200-foot-tall Superman roller coaster (which reaches speeds of 73 miles per hour) and seven other thrilling coasters. Little ones can enjoy nearly 15 rides just for them, plus others their adults can ride with them like a hot-air balloon Ferris wheel. Younger kids can also blow off some energy at the huge Whistlestop Park Playground. Cool off at the Hurricane Harbor water park.

2. Adventure Park USA — Monrovia, MD

This family amusement park roughly an hour from DC offers indoor and outdoor attractions, perfect for when the weather is a bit mixed. Roller coasters with different scare factors, go-karts, mini golf, and gentler rides like teacups and a super slide keep everyone entertained. Indoors you will find laser tag, rock climbing, mini bowling, arcades, and a ropes course. Attractions are paid for with a rechargeable Fun Pass, so you only pay for the activities you want to use. Adventure Park also features the Sky Coaster, a unique concept for those 42 inches and above that combines skydiving and hang gliding. At one point, riders free-fall 100 feet!

3. The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring — Sandy Spring, MD

Not to be confused with Adventure Park USA, The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring is Maryland’s biggest climbing and zip lining adventure park. It has 14 courses, seven difficulty levels, and over 200 climbing and zip lining elements. The trails range from easiest to expert, starting around 10 feet from the ground and becoming more physically challenging as you progress. Sessions last up to three hours and include a full safety briefing, as well as being fitted with a harness and safety equipment. Ages 5 and up are welcome, and all climbers must wear closed-toe shoes. The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring is about an hour's drive from DC.

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Kings Dominion boasts a whopping 13 roller coasters. 

4. Kings Dominion — Doswell, VA

Kings Dominion, about two hours from DC, has over 60 rides, shows, and attractions. These range from over a dozen roller coasters for thrill seekers to Planet Snoopy, an area just for younger kids featuring plenty of kiddie rides and the entire Peanuts gang. Kings Dominion is also the only amusement park in Virginia with a water park. Soak City offers 20 acres of extreme water slides, a massive wave pool, and an interactive multi-level aqua play structure with over 200 elements, eight twisting slides, and two gigantic tipping buckets.

5. Hersheypark — Hershey, PA

Hersheypark features plenty of fun for guests of all ages. Its 40 kid-friendly rides including two trains and a mini pirate ship. Fifteen roller coasters that will keep the daredevils in the family entertained include Laff Trakk, the US’s first indoor, spinning, glow-coaster. 

When your family needs to cool off, head to Hersheypark’s water park. It features a lazy river, a water coaster, a wave pool, and racing water slides. You can also take a break from the thrills at ZooAmerica, an 11-acre zoo within Hersheypark, and at the next-door Chocolate World, where you can take a ride through a chocolate factory, see a 4D chocolate movie, and so much more. With the drive time from DC being about 2.5 hours and way too much to do in one day, consider spending an entire weekend at Hersheypark!

Look for the KIDserate logo to help you find rides for younger kids at Busch Gardens Williamsburg.

6. Busch Gardens — Williamsburg, VA

Busch Gardens Williamsburg is an action-packed European-themed theme park about a three-hour drive from DC with attractions for all ages. Little-kid rides are easily identifiable by the KIDsiderate K logo. There are also animal interactions, live shows, and the Land of the Dragons, a child-specific area with kid-friendly rides, climbing nets, and splash areas. For older kids and adults, Busch Gardens features the Pantheon, the world’s fastest multi-launch roller coaster, and the Loch Ness Monster, the world’s only double interlocking loop roller coaster. Plus, there are several more roller coasters and plenty of other thrill rides.

When you need a break from the heat, head to Water Country USA, Busch Gardens' water park. Or, slow the pace down and enjoy the beautiful grounds of the theme park via steam-powered locomotive or by boat on the Rhine River Cruise. Check out some of our tips on visiting Busch Gardens Williamsburg, VA with Kids.

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Kids can ride an old-school carousel at Trimper Rides.

7. Trimper Rides — Ocean City, MD

Open since 1893, Trimper Rides of Ocean City, Maryland is the oldest continuously family-owned-and-operated amusement park in the world. The Tidal Wave looping roller coaster and the Endeavour, a cutting-edge twist on a classic Ferris wheel, offer big thrills. For younger children, there are plenty of options including a mini Ferris wheel, slides, and water boats. The mirror maze will be sure to have the entire family in fits of giggles. Plus, there's a video arcade called Marty’s Playland and an award-winning dark fun house called Bill Tracey Pirate’s Cove. Along with the beach and more, Trimper Rides is a great reason to hit the road and head to Ocean City, about a three-hour drive from DC.

Little kids will feel like big kids when they conquer Merlin's Mayhem.

Best Amusement Parks Near DC for Toddlers and Preschoolers

8. Dutch Wonderland — Lancaster, PA

This amusement park, also about a 2.5-hour drive from DC, caters to families with young children. It offers shows, attractions, 35 rides, and more. Kids can whirl around on the Wonder Whip, become an astronaut on the Sky Fighter, and make friends with a panda on Panda Party. Merlin’s Mayhem is a suspended roller coaster designed for families to be able to ride together.

Two unique areas make Dutch Wonderland even more special. Duke the Dragon’s Lagoon features slides, play structures, and water attractions on a multi-level water-play platform that includes a large tipping bucket. On Exploration Island, kids can discover over 22 life-like dinosaurs and dig up ancient fossils.

9. Sesame Place — Langhorne, PA

For a less high-octane, but no less fun experience specifically aimed at the younger members of your family, head to Sesame Place (roughly three hours from DC). Meet favorite Sesame Street friends, watch a Sesame Street parade or show, and ride kid-friendly rides like Big Bird's Tour Bus and the Flying Cookie Jars. Sesame Place even has a family-friendly wooden roller coaster, Oscar’s Wacky Taxi. The website gives detailed information about each ride, including sensory information. When your kiddos get hot, they'll have a blast at Sesame Place's water park. 

All photographs courtesy of the amusement parks