The Best Theme Parks You've Never Heard Of

When you think of a theme park, chances are your mind goes straight to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios or roller coaster meccas such as Cedar Point or Knott's Berry Farm. And while those parks are home to some of the best rides in America, there are dozens and dozens of theme parks all across the country that are worth visiting. But you just haven't heard of them... yet. To complete your amusement park bucket list, we sought out the best regional and cult-favorite parks across the country, many of which feature some of the world's best thrills and delights.

Beech Bend Amusement Park is a small, family-owned theme park that has been operating in Bowling Green, Kentucky, since 1898. In addition to the amusement park with dozens of family-friendly rides, this entertainment complex also features a dragstrip raceway and a camping ground. The real draw here is the Splash Lagoon Water Park, which is included in a day's park admission. Lounge around in the lazy river or the giant leisure pool, or take a dive down the 55-foot-tall, 500-foot-long Cyclone Saucers water ride. There's no better way to beat that intense Southern summer heat.

Whether you want to spend the day splashing in the water or taking in a bunch of thrills, you'll find what you're looking for in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, home to the Blue Bayou water park and Dixie Landin', a more traditional amusement park. Though it may be small, Dixie Landin' is mighty, with over 25 attractions, including three roller coasters, a 200-foot drop tower, a merry-go-round and more than a few rides that will tip you upside down. The nearby Blue Bayou is perhaps the bigger park here, featuring five of the world's largest waterslides. Whether you're looking for an aqualoop, a dark behemoth bowl, a tornado slide, a water racer or a classic water slide, Blue Bayou has one, and it's massive.

Just about 30 miles northwest of Boston is the town of Salem, New Hampshire, which is home to Canobie Lake Park. Like a lot of New England amusement parks, Canobie Lake Park is rich with history; it first opened in 1902 as a trolley park, a place for families to picnic, swim and ride certain fairground attractions at the end of a trolley line. Today, Canobie Lake Park is so much more, with three roller coasters, several new thrill rides and plenty of family-friendly attractions. The real star of Canobie is the Yankee Cannonball. Debuting in 1936, this landmark roller coaster features plenty of bunny hills and banked turns, resulting in tons of great airtime.

If you're more of a mini golf junkie than a coaster enthusiast, Castles N' Coasters in Phoenix, Arizona, just may be the amusement park for you. With four mini golf courses on the 10-acre park, you can putt for days with glee. If indoor games are more your speed, worry not. This park also features a 10,000-square-foot arcade. Of course, no park with "coasters" in its name would be without a few thrills, and this park has two roller coasters, including the looping coaster Desert Storm and the red, white and blue Patriot.

There are a lot of famous Coney Islands (Brooklyn, we see you) and a lot of famous amusement parks in Ohio (ahem, Cedar Point), but you probably haven't heard of this particular place. Cincinnati's Coney Island has plenty of rides that will spin you around and around, but it features just one roller coaster, the Python, which harkens back to the days of classic, compact steel coasters (despite being just 20 years old). Coney Island also features a water park with six slides and a pool that is larger than a football field. Tickets for access to both the amusement park and water park are around $20, making this a must-do summertime weekend getaway.

If you're looking for a budget-friendly alternative to Sesame Place, consider packing up the car and taking a family road trip to Dutch Wonderland. This Lancaster, Pennsylvania, theme park has over 25 family-friendly attractions, including two roller coasters (Merlin's Mayhem, Kingdom Coaster) that will get your children ready for bigger thrills later in life. If your kids love royalty, this park also has meet-and-greets and story time with princesses that will leave your little ones smiling for days.

Fairytales come to life at Enchanted Forest. This Salem, Oregon, theme park has no lack of charm. Look no further than the Storybook Land area, which first opened in 1971. Play in the Old Lady Who Lived in a Shoe's shoe or take a dive down Alice's rabbithole into a world of pure magic. The park even has its own mythology with the Challenge of Mondor ride, an interactive dark ride in which you shoot monsters, dragons and giant spiders with a laser gun. This theme park has all the old-school charm of Disneyland without the massive price tag.

Ocean City, Maryland, is one of those underrated beach towns you need to visit sometime in your life. In addition to sun, sand and surf, Ocean City also has Jolly Roger Amusement Parks, five different entertainment experiences in one. If you're looking for a classic day by the seaside, take in the sights on the Giant Wheel at Jolly Roger at the Pier, at the southern end of the Ocean City boardwalk. The 30th Street Location also features plenty of fun, including its own Ferris wheel and the Wildcat Coaster. In addition to these amusement parks, the Jolly Roger complex also has the Splash Mountain water park, mini golf and the Speedworld go-kart tracks.

Indiana may not be the very first state you think of when you think about beachside amusement parks, but the Hoosier State is the home to Indiana Beach. This Monticello park has classic family-friendly attractions, including antique car rides, a scambler, a train and more. Notably, Indiana Beach features one of the country's more distinctive roller coasters, the Lost Coaster of Superstition Mountain. Instead of a lift hill, this coaster has an elevator that raises the cars and features enclosed carts that have two riders facing forward and two facing backward. A "terrifying" encounter with a bear caps this ride off.

Knoebels in Elysburg, Pennsylvania, is the country's largest free admission amusement park and also features free parking, making it one of the most budget-friendly spots on our list and one of the most underrated vacation destinations in the country. What Knoebels lacks in flash, it makes up for in truly notable attractions and delicious theme park food. The Haunted Mansion dark ride (no, not that Haunted Mansion) is perhaps Knoebels' biggest claim to fame; the frights and sights in this spooky space truly will make you jump out of your seat. Knoebels also has top-of-the-class roller coasters, including Flying Turns, the world's only wooden bobsled coaster.

Lakemont Park is home to the country's oldest roller coaster, Leap the Dips, which had its first rider all the way back in 1902. Leap the Dips is one of only two figure-eight roller coasters left in the world and also the only side friction coaster left in North America. Because of its age, however, Leap the Dips isn't always open, so be sure to check park schedules before you book your trip to Altoona, Pennsylvania. Even if that historic landmark is closed, Lakemont Park offers more than plenty to do, including two more coasters, mini golf and a kid-friendly water park.

With the tagline "Where Everyone Can Play!" Morgan's Wonderland in San Antonio, Texas, is an ultra-accessible amusement park, allowing people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the attractions, sights and sounds. Here, you will find adapted versions of classic theme park attractions. The carousel, for instance, is flush to the ground and the benches, which also have platforms for wheelchairs, raise and lower just like the horses, allowing wheelchair guests to have an experience they may miss out on at a different theme park. Morgan's Wonderland also has an inclusive splash park, Morgan's Inspiration Island.

Self-described as "New England's only beachfront amusement park," Palace Playland sits on the beach of Old Orchard Beach, Maine, right next to the Atlantic Ocean. Video game fans will be in heaven here; The Arcade at Palace Playland features over 20,000 square feet and 200 different games. Taking in the scenery here really is the main attraction, but Palace Playland boasts over 25 rides for thrill-seekers of all levels, including amusement park classics like a swinging pirate ship, a new steel roller coaster called Sea Viper and bumper cars.

Like Holiday World, Silver Dollar City is known to theme park enthusiasts, but this Branson, Missouri, theme park still lacks the name recognition of Busch Gardens or Knott's Berry Farm. Silver Dollar City has a quirky theme meant to evoke the 1880s, complete with 100 resident craftsmen who make everything from candles to taffy to blown glass. There are some seriously intense roller coasters at Silver Dollar City, including the new Time Traveler, the tallest, fastest and longest spinning roller coaster in the world, complete with a 90-foot drop. During the holiday season, Silver Dollar City is brought to life with over 6.5 million sparkling lights and seasonal shows, making it one of the best American spots to visit during Christmastime.

In Federal Way, Washington, you will find the Evergreen State's only combination water and amusement park. Wild Waves Theme & Water Park has been entertaining families in the Pacific Northwest since 1977. The park's most notable ride is Timberhawk Ride of Prey, a massive wooden roller coaster with top speeds of 50 miles per hour. Nearby, there's also the Wild Waves Water Park, where you can cool off in the summertime with nine water slides. And remember, while you may always be tempted to go to a big-name theme park, remember the li'l guys. After all, a theme park destination makes for one of the best weekend getaways in America.