A couple of years ago, LilKsby and I were standing in line for a roller coaster, and we met someone who was working on going to 7 different amusement parks in 10 days. We didn’t get to chat much because there wasn’t a long line, but I remember thinking that it sounded like a fun adventure! After that day, I didn’t give the adventure much thought; however, over the past few days on a long car trip, I got to thinking about two things. One was that it would be fun to research travel itineraries and blog about them. The second was remembering the amusement park anecdote. Both of those things got me thinking about if money were no object, what would be a great amusement park journey?
Thus…18 Parks in 21 Days!
For this particular itinerary, I recommend starting at Kentucky Kingdom in Louisville, KY. Its proximity to Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport provides an easy start to the trip as travelers could fly in from all over the country, rent a car, and be at the park within 30 minutes of landing as there is less than five minutes between the two. I also recommend purchasing a season pass while at Kentucky Kingdom. The pass will be beneficial at other parks that are owned by Herschend as they provide admission discounts to season pass holders. https://www.kentuckykingdom.com/
Following a day in Louisville, head south on I-65 for approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes to Bowling Green, KY. Here you will find Beech Bend which has an amusement park and campground. Highlights include The Kentucky Rumbler roller coaster and Sea Dragon which was purchased from MJ’s Neverland Ranch. It is a small park with a big heart! https://beechbend.com/
Next up is a drive to the Midwest experience Six Flags Saint Louis which is actually in Eureka, MO (approximately 4 hours, 52 minutes). Thought it currently has the Six Flags name, this park has been sold and is already being independently operated. In 2027 it will no longer retain the Six Flags name. https://www.sixflags.com/stlouis
Staying in the Show Me State, the next destination is one of the aforementioned Herschend Family Entertainment properties. Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO is approximately 3 hours and 21 minutes from Six Flags. Of all the parks that I have not been to that are on this list, this is the one that I want to visit the most. Why? They have rides and a cave! I have loved both since I was a kid! https://www.silverdollarcity.com
After a day in Branson, I would travel north to Kansas City, MO (approximately 3 hours and 18 minutes) to experience Worlds of Fun! When I would visit family as a child in the summer, I would always see ads for Worlds of Fun. For the sake of nostalgia, I added this park to the itinerary though it is a bit out of the way (if there can be such a thing when it comes to fun). Once again, I recommend purchasing a season pass. Several of the parks on this list fall under the Six Flags umbrella since they acquired Cedar Fair which will allow benefits to be used multiple times. As of this publishing, World of Fun is operating as a Six Flags park. After the 2026 season it will operate under its new owner: EPR Properties. https://www.sixflags.com/worldsoffun
So far on this journey, I have intended for parks to be visited on consecutive days. If you leave each park with an approximately four hour travel time around 7 pm, you can easily be halfway done with your drive – accounting for a brief dinner and fuel stop – and in bed at a hotel by 10 pm. Leaving the hotel by 8 am will provide 9 hours of sleep plus time for breakfast while allowing you to be at the next park by 10 am. The trip following Worlds of Fun is the first exception where more than one day will be needed for travel. The trip from Worlds of Fun to Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, IL will take approximately 8 hours. This park is north of Chicago, and extremely close to the Wisconsin border. If you’re like me and have a goal of seeing all 50 states, you might as well check Wisconsin off the list by going through it! https://www.sixflags.com/greatamerica
The next stop on the journey (approximately 3 hours and five minutes) is Indiana Beach in Monticello, IN. For a park that isn’t owned by one of the major amusement park conglomerates, this one has a lot of attractions! https://www.indianabeach.com/
Staying in the Hoosier State, journey south approximately 3 hours and 52 minutes to Holiday World/Splashin’ Safari! Of all the parks on this list, this one is my favorite! We went here several times as a kid, and everything that made this park special then is still present today! This park has always provided extras like free parking, free sunscreen, and free non-alcoholic drinks. It is also the only amusement park that I have been to where one of the owners – a member of the Koch family – came up to us to ensure we were having a good time. https://holidayworld.com/
Last up on the first half of the itinerary is Kings Island in Cincinnati, OH (approximately 2 hours and 59 minutes). If you only get to do one thing at this park, ride The Beast. This incredible roller coaster lives up to the hype! I especially recommend riding it in the dark! There are also several other great coasters at this park! As it is now owned by Six Flags, that season pass will come in handy again! https://www.sixflags.com/kingsisland
At this point, you could easily loop back to Louisville and end the journey if 9 parks in 10 days has been enough for you. If you’re still up for more adventure, head north for approximately 3 hours and 23 minutes to Cedar Point in Sandusky, OH. Personally, I have never been to Cedar Point, but I have heard from MANY roller coaster enthusiasts that THIS is their park of choice! https://www.sixflags.com/cedarpoint
Once the day at Cedar Point is complete, travel approximately three hours and two minutes to West Mifflin, PA. Here you will find one of the oldest parks on this list: Kennywood. Given I have only been to PA in the off-season or for romantic mountain getaways, I have never been to any PA amusement parks. That said, Kennywood constantly comes up on travel blogs that I read. It’s 125 years old, and they have this great combination of old school rides and modern thrill rides! Add On: After I wrote this portion, I went to an amusement park with LilKsby, and we met three young men who work at Kennywood! They shared that some of their rides are among the oldest – and best kept – in the country. They also recommended Phantom’s Revenge for Hyper Coaster enthusiasts! Oh, and they told us that Kennywood is also a Herschend park now. https://www.kennywood.com/
Following the day filled with nostalgia and excitement, head to Hershey, PA (approximately 3 hours and 24 minutes) to experience Hershey Park! This is another park that has been recommended to me by coaster enthusiasts, but this one was recommended with a caveat. We all know that if you are traveling with children, you should make sure that there will be something they can ride based on their height (and sometimes weight). According to my source, this park is where they ran into the most difficulty finding something for their child to ride as they were too big for most of the kids rides, but they were not big enough for most of the thrill rides. Keep in mind that this would have been about 10 years ago. I also personally understand this frustration as the first time I went to Kings Island as a kid, I was in the dreaded in between stage (this was before they had a water park too). That aside, it looks like a great park from the Hershey complex parking lot. Be sure to checkout Hershey’s Chocolate World while you’re in the complex! This portion is open year-round, and I can attest to how much fun it is! https://www.hersheypark.com/
Next up is the shortest drive of the itinerary at approximately 1 hour and 16 minutes (which means you can enjoy Hershey Park even later)! This will take you to Dorney Park in Dorneyville, PA. This park opened in 1884! Nestled in the heart of the beautiful Lehigh Valley, at Dorney fun can be had by all ages be they ride enthusiasts or interested in shows! https://www.sixflags.com/dorneypark
After Dorney is the other drive where I recommend taking a travel day. Clocking in at 5 hours and 55 minutes, the trip to America’s Historic Triangle is the second longest on this journey. However, since the next park is in the Triangle, there is PLENTY to see and do on the travel day besides sit in a car. Side note, in the future, I will do a full blog on America’s Historic Triangle as part of my upcoming – and yet untitled – series about homeschooling and travel. Once you’ve rested up and perhaps brushed up on some history, you will be ready to tackle a place that was not part of the triangle during the Revolution: Busch Gardens. This park has rides, shows, and animal experiences! Oh, and they have a WIDE variety of food options beyond the standard amusement park fare. https://buschgardens.com/williamsburg/
Another short drive (also approximately 1 hour and 16 minutes) will take you to Kings Dominion in Doswell, VA. When it was originally built, Kings Dominion was designed to be a sister park to Kings Island. This provides a level of familiarity for those who have been to Kings Island as some of the rides at Kings Dominion are the same. However, the Rapterra roller coaster sets them apart from their sister! Rapterra is the second ever winged coaster built in the US. Fun fact, the first one was built at Holiday World! https://www.sixflags.com/kingsdominion
Three more parks to go! Can you believe it??? Next up is Carowinds in Charlotte, NC just about a 4 hour and 45 minute drive from Kings Dominion. Carowinds is also a Six Flags park, and if you are making this trip in 2027, you will get to try what will be the World’s Largest Log Flume Ride! They are also known for Fury 325 which America’s tallest and fastest Giga Coaster. https://www.sixflags.com/carowinds
After a brief stay in North Carolina, it is time to head to Georgia! In approximately 4 hours and 6 minutes, you will arrive at Six Flags Over Georgia. This is the last Six Flags property on the list, and I think it will be worth it! They have a multitude of attractions for the whole family! https://www.sixflags.com/overgeorgia
Last but not least, it is time to make the approximate 4 hour and 7 minute trip to Pigeon Forge, TN to spend time at Dollywood! Dollywood is the final Herschend property on this list and my favorite of their holdings that I have visited. Mr Kisby, LilKsby, and I have been to Dollywood during the summer and at Christmas. During both seasons we were able to experience great rides, entertainment, and food! There was something for all of us to enjoy! Dollywood is a must visit! https://www.dollywood.com/
If you bought a roundtrip ticket when flying into Louisville, you will need approximately 4 hours and 31 minutes to loop back to Louisville from Pigeon Forge. Afternoon or evening flight? You might as well pop back into Kentucky Kingdom again! After all, you’ve driven over 4,250 miles and spent 2 Days, 18 Hours, and 52 Minutes doing so. One way ticket? Spend the night at Dreammore Resort or Heartsong Lodge at Dollywood. Amazing accommodations! You can then fly home from Knoxville.
And there you have 18 Parks in 21 Days!
I would love to know what parks you’ve been to that are on this list and what you think! Drop a comment!
XOXO,
The Great Kaysby
The Great Kaysby 