Have an amazing day with these fun things to do in Pennsylvania

Are you wondering what to do in Pennsylvania for your family vacation? Do you want to create memories with your family that you’ll never forget? We’ve got the perfect, simple solution for you.

Treat your kids to a day of smiles, fun, and endless entertainment by visiting one of the state’s many amusement parks. Pennsylvania is home to some of the best and top-rated amusement parks in the country, making it a must-do activity while you’re in the state, especially for families with young children!

What better way to pack fun, entertainment, unique attractions, yummy food, live shows, and exhilarating rides all into the same day? Think of amusement parks as your “one-stop-shop” for all the criteria which make up the perfect family outing. Plus, it’s extra convenient for you as busy parents to spend the day together in an amusement park with everything you need at your fingertips instead of driving to multiple different attractions around the state.

With so many excellent theme parks to choose from in Pennsylvania, it can be a little overwhelming to decide on one, but don’t worry, we’re here to fill you in on the perks and unique qualities of some of the state’s best amusement park options to hopefully make the decision-making process a little easier.  

So sit back, and let us help you prepare for a truly memorable and entertaining family trip to an amusement park in Pennsylvania!

So, you want to spend the day at a theme park with your family, but with so many great options, you don’t know which one to choose. Don’t worry, we’re going to help simplify things to make the planning fun and stress-free!  

Before deciding on one, it’s important to consider the unique qualities and characteristics of each one before you start planning. This is because each theme park has its own one-of-a-kind theme and different features. Some parks are better suited for families with young children, while other parks offer a little something for all ages, and some parks cater to families with older children. Also, some parks specialize in summer activities, while other parks might offer year-round events.

To narrow it down, our top four picks for the best Pennsylvania amusement parks are: Kennywood, Dutch Wonderland, Sandcastle, and Idlewild & SoakZone. Without a doubt, these theme parks are the most fun places in Pennsylvania to spend a memorable vacation together with your family. We’ve chosen these four because each one is entirely different, and just about anything you’re looking for can be found in one of these four parks.  

When you’re deciding on which one to visit, you’ll want to consider the overall theme of the park. For refreshing summer fun and an impressive selection of water attractions, Sandcastle is the place to be. If you love thrilling roller coasters and nostalgic rides, head over to Kennywood. The theme of Dutch Wonderland is magic– a fantasyland with castles, princesses, and whimsical rides. If you’re looking for a park with a bit of everything, Idlewild & SoakZone is the place to go with over 35+ rides, attractions, live shows, events, and water play areas.

In our opinion, you should try them all! But, if you can only try one, keep on reading.

If you’ve been searching for fun things to do in Pennsylvania, your search can finally end here! Idlewild & SoakZone is our top pick for Pennsylvania amusement parks for families looking for the “whole package deal” in terms of park offerings. 

The theme park has been open for 145 seasons, making them true experts in family fun. It has also won the Golden Ticket award for being the Best Children’s Park by Amusement Today 9 years in a row! Wondering what all the hype is about? Let’s break it down for you.

Idlewild & SoakZone is so much more than an amusement park, it’s a whole world of family-friendly fun. The park boasts over 35+ rides and attractions, live shows, events, excellent dining options, shopping, and more! It's the type of place where you can spend the entire day exploring all the different park offerings, and you can even rent a private shaded cabana for the day to take rest breaks in between the fun– but more on that later!

There’s really not a better way to create loving and lasting memories with your children than by laughing and having fun together. On the 35+ rides and attractions offered at Idlewild & SoakZone, you’re guaranteed an entire day of smiles, laughter, and entertainment alongside your kids.  

There are plenty of unique attractions to discover during your park visit. Spin around on hot-air balloon-shaped gondolas at Balloon Race. Fly high in the sky on mini gliders at the Flying Aces. Twist and turn like a cyclone on the Howler, and blast downhill in a water flume on Paul Bunyan’s Loggin’ Toboggan. Take a scenic train ride through the woods on the Loyalhanna, Limited Railroad, and enjoy a nostalgic ride on the Merry Go Round. Test your bravery on the Rollo Coaster, and drive bumper cars as you bump into every member of the fam! Dip and drop in all directions on the Spider, and try not to get dizzy on the spinning Tilt-A-Whirl!

Young children can enjoy plenty of colorful, entertaining kiddie rides specially designed for tots. Your child will have a blast riding their own dinosaur pal on Dino Soars. Young siblings can all fit into the same tiny trolley on Doodlebug, and little ones can ride on a handcar along the tracks at Little Rascals! These are just a few of several rides perfect for sprout-sized adventurers at Idlewild & SoakZone!

Visiting during the summer months? Cool off in the SoakZone where you can discover an exhilarating selection of water attractions and water play areas! Explore the wave pool, ride a tube down the lazy river, go down thrilling water slides, play in the kiddie splash zone, and more.

But the fun doesn’t stop after the rides and attractions! Idlewild & SoakZone offers a generous list of fun live shows and events that every member of the family will enjoy. Be sure to check out the events schedule before your visit so that you don’t miss out on any of the unique happenings.

When it comes to shows and experiences, kids will have a blast watching real-life entertainment unfold before their eyes. Watch Daniel the Tiger use his imagination in inspiring new ways. Make your dreams come true with a magical meet and greet with Princess Lily. Hop inside your favorite fairy tale stories with Once Upon a Time Machine for a real-life fairy tale adventure! For all the country music lovers out there, don’t miss out on the Heart of Country event, where you can dance and sing along to some catchy country jams!

The park offers a wonderful selection of seasonal events and festivities. Season Passholders are invited to the Season Passholder Appreciation Weekend where food, games, and retail items are all discounted, and exclusive activities are offered! Watch traditional Scottish festivities at the 63rd Annual Ligonier Highland Games. Eat delicious Italian food and celebrate Italian heritage at the Westmoreland Columbus 500 Italian Day Festa. And during the fall, get spooked at HALLOWBOO!, a fun Halloween event with special activities and themed games.

With so much fun and action, you’ll be bound to work up an appetite during your visit to Idlewild & SoakZone, but luckily, the excellent dining options in the park are all a part of the experience. Find an extensive array of sweet treats, snacks, meal options, restaurants, and beverages all throughout the park. Treat yourself to a nostalgic fresh pretzel at Auntie Anne’s. Cool off with a refreshing soft serve cone, a dole whip, or a milk shake at the Ice Cream Shoppe. Eat comfort foods like pizza, fried chicken, nachos, and waffle fries at the Snack Shack. Fill your belly with delicious grilled favorites at the BBQ pit, which offers a hearty menu of southern classics. These are just a few of the many top-rated restaurants, snack shops, and eateries found at Idlewild & SoakZone!

Idlewild & SoakZone has all your bases covered for a fun family outing, but it also offers additional services and features to ensure that your park visit is as comfortable and accessible as possible.  

Relax and enjoy the park in style with a private, shaded cabana, which you can rent for the entire day! This is the perfect option for families with children who want to have a private space in the park to rest in between all the activities and action. Spend the day exploring the different attractions and rides, and whenever you need a rest break, your cabana will be waiting for you.

Don’t want the fun to end? Season Passes are the perfect option for families who want to ride out the wave of fun at Idlewild & SoakZone for the entire season. Plus, season passes include unlimited visits to the sister parks of Idlewild & SoakZone, including Kennywood and Sandcastle! The park also offers excellent deals and discounted rates for group visits.