Upstate has great options for those who like a splash
By Sandra Scott
Make this season thrilling for you, your family and friends with a visit to one of New York’s amusement parks. Check the park’s website or call ahead for reduced admission days, group discounts and package deals.
Darien Lake
The park is located between Rochester and Buffalo with easy access from the New York State Thruway. It has one of the biggest selections of roller coasters and rides in the area, including the Mind Eraser. New this year is the Tantrum, a 98-foot vertical lift to the top that then plummets into a 90-degree drop. Sure to challenge your scream factor. But there are mellow rides, Splashtown Water Park, evening shows and some of the rides are handicapped-accessible. There are a variety of accommodations for those who want to stay for a day or more.
• www.darienlake.com
Enchanted Forest Water Safari
Located in the Adirondack State Park, Enchanted Forest is New York’s largest water theme park with more than 50 rides and attractions including 32 wet and wild water rides. The combination amusement and water park means there is always something to do for all ages from toddlers to seniors. Check out the 1,100-foot family tube ride and squeal as you reach speeds of 30 miles per hour on Killermanjaro, one of their tallest, fastest slides. There is a family circus show and a barnyard. Great for children’s birthday parties. It has been a family favorite for 60 years.
• www.watersafari.com
Seabreeze Amusement Park
The historic amusement park is located in the Rochester suburb Irondequoit. Ride the oldest continuously operating roller coaster in America, the Jack Rabbit, built in 1920. It features a 75-foot drop and over 2000 feet of track. There are two other roller coasters; their waterpark is especially popular on hot summer days. Hold your breath as you speed down the inner tube slides and the Helix waterslide that shoot riders into a giant bowl and rocks them side to side until they fly into a pool.
• https://seabreeze.com
Thunder Island
The park calls itself “the biggest small park.” It all started in 1979 with a go-cart track and has grown over the years to include eight water slides with five pools, three styles of go-karts, a jungle golf course, and their newest attraction – the Soaring Eagle zip line. There is no admission charge and no parking fees. Choose your favorite activity: gold, go karts, zip lining or water sliding. The jungle golf is included with your water park pass. Planning an event? then consider their Oasis indoor and outdoor event area.
• www.thunder-island.com/
Roseland Waterpark
Canandaigua’s Roseland Waterpark has five water rides, plus a 27,000 sq.-foot wave pool, plus water balloon fighting in Water War Zone ($2), beach volleyball, and, for rent ($5 per half hour), paddleboats and canoes. Roseland Waterpark, 250 Eastern Blvd., Canandaigua. 585-396-2000.
• www.roselandwaterpark.com
The Catskill’s Zoom Flume Water Park
Located in East Durham, this park offers more than a dozen water-based attractions, a mix of action-packed rides and floating/splashing areas. The zip line also makes this park stand out. It’s a good place to go if you have younger children and teens so everyone goes home happy. Zoom Flume Water Park, 20 Shady Glen Rd., East Durham. 518-239-4559.
• www.zoomflume.com
Six Flags Great Escape
In the Adirondacks, Queensbury’s Six Flags Great Escape and Splashwater Kingdom give thrill seekers a “two-fer” deal, with two theme parks in one. In addition to a full water park offering 12 rides, there’s also plenty of traditional rides, coasters and entertainment. If you stay at Six Flags Great Escape Lodge & Indoor Water Park, tickets to The Great Escape Theme Park are included for in-season stays. Numerous other places of lodging are nearby as well. Great Escape and Splashwater Kingdom, 1172 State Rte 9, Queensbury. 518-792-3500.
• www.sixflags.com/greatescape
Water Slide World
In Lake George, Water Slide World offers 12 water attractions, including a wave pool and two play areas for small children, plus sand and water volleyball. If your focus is water rides, Water Slide World is the place to go. Outside food is permitted. Water Slide World, 2136 Rte. 9, Lake George. 518-668-4407.
• www.waterslideworld.net
Writer Deborah J. Sergeant contributed to this story.