As summer arrives and family schedules slow down a bit, nothing can burn up extra energy like an amusement park. Rides, adventure, entertainment, and tasty treats will help make the most of a lazy summer day. Check out these great amusement parks in Pennsylvania, plus a few in nearby New Jersey and Maryland.

Looking for the best local water parks? We've got you covered with a round up of all the Best Water Parks Near Philly. For more amusement park fun, check out our Theme & Water Park Guide. 

Outdoor water parks in Orlando boast towering water slides, safe play areas, and plenty of ways to beat the scorching Florida sun. Orlando water parks pack full-size fun, often at a fraction of the price of the major theme parks. In addition to slides and swings, many Orlando water parks offer extraordinary experiences, such as dolphin encounters and enchanting mermaid shows!

Visit a petting zoo or animal farm in Atlanta when the weather warms up and kiddos want to mingle with friendly, four-legged critters. Petting zoos and animal sanctuaries beckon Atlanta families to enjoy creatures, big and small, from pigs and horses to giraffes and camels. Perhaps even lions, tigers, and bears...oh my!

Most petting zoos and animal sanctuaries advise visitors not to feed the animals unless it's feed that they provide (either included with admission or purchased for an additional fee). So grab plenty of hand sanitizer, wet wipes, plastic gloves (bison slobber is no joke), and snacks for the kids and head out to an Atlanta petting zoo, animal farm, or animal sanctuary.

Massanutten Resort is well-known among DC families as a winter ski destination, but it actually offers four seasons of family fun. My family was invited to visit Massanutten ahead of its summer-season kickoff to check out activities and experiences that go beyond the ski and tubing hills.

In full disclosure, this was not our first visit to Massanutten Resort. My family has visited during a winter ski season and over a fall long weekend. We had a blast each time.

During this trip, my 13-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son tried nearly every activity available and could not pick just one favorite. That's how much fun they had! Read on for my full review of Massanutten Resort and my tips on how to make the most of a trip there.

Check out our Guide to Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways for more great places to visit near DC.

Explore local amusement parks that offer fun (and a few thrills) for all ages! 

Water parks provide a wet and wild aquatic adventure on a sweltering Southern California day. Sure, our SoCal beaches are the best, and swimming in a lake is loads of fun, but you won't have to lug any gear across hot sand that stretches forever when going to a water park!

Water parks have wave pools, family raft rides, lazy rivers, and mini slides for little ones, and thrilling slides for teens. Some of our favorite water parks near Los Angeles are smaller parks just for kids (like Buccaneer's Cove), and others are popular theme park extensions (like the Legoland Water Park or the water park at Sesame Place San Diego). There are so many ways to soak in all the fun. 

Start your little ones in the water early with baby and toddler swimming lessons, and test out the waters at free splash pads and water playgrounds in Los Angeles. Plus, dive into more adventures on land and in water in our SoCal Theme and Water Parks Guide.  

Amusement parks on Long Island are ready to welcome you and your thrill-seeking family for summer fun. Whether your kids are eager to check out the latest rides and attractions, or you can’t wait to make new memories with your family at the amusement parks you enjoyed as a child, now is the perfect time to make plans to visit these LI theme parks.

Read on for details on how to enjoy our favorite amusement parks on Long Island this summer and for more entertainment inspiration, bookmark our Guide to Amusement Parks and Water Parks Near Long Island.

A trip to a local amusement park in or near New Jersey is always high on my vacation bucket list, and we're lucky that New Jersey and nearby states offer lots of family-friendly amusement park adventures. 

Whether you're hoping to catch ocean views and sandy beaches at the Jersey Shore's boardwalk amusement parks, like Casino Pier and Castaway Cove, or you are dreaming of high-velocity thrill rides at mega parks like Six Flags Great Adventure, here are the best amusement parks to visit this summer. 

New this year: The groundbreaking Edelman Fossil Park and Museum, which is slated to open in summer 2024. 

Find more wild rides in our Guide to Water and Amusement Parks, and read on for dozens of amusement parks in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania that are perfect for thrill-seekers of all ages.