Pennsylvania Hosts Assortment of Amusement Parks

Despite popular belief, Pennsylvania is loaded with plenty of attractions to visit during the summer. From water parks to theme parks to zoos, there is no shortage of exciting entertainment in the Keystone State.

One unknown gem is DelGrosso’s Amusement Park is in the heart of the Allegheny Mountains. The death-defying rides include DeGrosso’s Crazy Mouse, Pharoah’s Fury, and Space Odyssey. There is also the refreshing Tipton Waterpark and the one-of-a-kind Altoona-Tipton Speedway. DelGrosso’s, however, makes its name with “America’s Best Amusement Park Food.” They are known for fresh made pizza, fresh roast beef, and world-famous potato salad. It is fittingly named Murf’s Potato Salad after the late Mafalda “Murf” Delgrosso.

Another place people may not have heard of is Waldameer Park in Erie, Pennsylvania. It boasts 75 rides, slides, and attractions. The Ravine Flyer II may be the most exciting ride within the confines of the park. The sixth best wooden roller coaster in the world includes a 120-foot drop, six tunnels, and a top speed near 60 mph. Heat is not an issue at Waldameer because Water World is right there for your convenience. This water park has sixteen refreshing slides, but the Midnight Plunge is only for advanced riders as it is a completely pitch black ride.

If you are specifically looking for just a water park, Camelbeach Mountain Waterpark may be your best bet. In 2002, Camelbeach introduced the only pair of bowl slides in the Northeastern section of America. In essence, Vortex and Spin Cycles are giant toilet bowls that send you around a funnel until you drop into a pool. Checkered Flag Challenge is an eight-lane toboggan race where, after each race, the winner is announced for everyone to see.

“I shove down a few hot dogs for extra weight and get off to a fast start,” Matt Hook said.

 Camelbeach also includes a wave pool with six-foot high waves and a scenic chairlift that takes visitors all the way to the top of the mountain.

The Elmwood Park Zoo is a great place for animal lovers to visit. The park includes nine different exhibits, ranging from Woodlands to South America to Grasslands. Some of the animals located in those exhibits are bobcats, timber wolves, jaguars, green iguanas, and even a bald eagle. For hands on visitors, the Petting Barn area has an alpaca and a Nigerian Dwarf goat. Visitors can even ride ponies from April to September!

Pennsylvania may not seem like the most exciting state, but there are plenty of entertaining and fun places to visit in the summer of 2012.