Cedar Point — Sandusky, Ohio

Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio is one of the oldest and most revered amusement parks in the world. Opened in 1870, Cedar Point is home to 17 world-class roller coasters, including five that stretch to at least 200 feet in the air. Among Cedar Point’s star attractions is Millennium Force, a 310-foot-tall coaster that is frequently ranked as among the best coasters in the world. While thrilling roller coasters are Cedar Point’s specialty, the park is also home to a variety of other attractions, including Snake River Expedition, a riverboat ride that offers easygoing fun for the whole family.

Six Flags Magic Mountain — Valencia, California

Six Flags Magic Mountain calls itself the “Thrill Capital of the World” for its 20 roller coasters, the most of any theme park on Earth. The park’s chief attraction is Wonder Woman: Flight of Courage, the longest and tallest single-rail roller coaster in the world, which whisks guests around 3,300 feet of track at speeds of up to 58 miles per hour. Visitors who love Looney Tunes can also visit Bugs Bunny World, a kid friendly part of the park that sports rides, gift shops, and even a chance for the young and the young at heart to get their picture taken with the likes of Bugs, Daffy, and the rest of the Looney Tunes gang.

Kings Island — Mason, Ohio

Kings Island offers a variety of experiences for guests of all ages and backgrounds. For thrill seekers, Kings Island boasts 14 roller coasters, including Orion, a giga coaster with a 300-foot drop. Parents looking for a day of fun can also take their kids to Planet Snoopy, a Peanuts themed area of Kings Island that has frequently been awarded the title Best Kids Area in the World by Amusement Today. Guests can also enjoy a day at Soak City, Kings Island’s water park that, in addition to numerous pools and slides, also features several tube and raft rides.

Busch Gardens — Williamsburg, Virginia

Busch Gardens is truly a one-of-a-kind park located in the heart of the Old Dominion. For the past three decades, Busch Gardens has earned the Golden Ticket Award for Most Beautiful Amusement Park in the World, with many visitors praising its breathtaking landscapes and quaint architectural style. The park is also home to several thrilling rides, including the Pantheon, a newly launched roller coaster that flies guests through the air at the record-breaking speed of 73 miles per hour. Busch Gardens also offers visitors countless eating and drinking options, including Bürgermeister’s Hideaway, which is styled after a speakeasy.

Canada’s Wonderland — Vaughan, Ontario

Canada’s Wonderland is the quintessential theme park for visitors to the Great White North. Unlike many amusement parks, Canada’s Wonderland is open year-round, with special events taking place each season. The park challenges lovers of roller coasters to test their courage against the Leviathan, the largest giga coaster in Canada that stretches to a height of 306 feet. Visitors can also enjoy several theme areas in Canada’s Wonderland, including Frontier Canada, an area that pays homage to Canada’s western expansion in the 19th Century, and Medieval Faire, which takes visitors to a town in the European Dark Ages.

Carowinds — Charlotte, North Carolina

Carowinds prides itself on representing the best in entertainment for both North Carolina and South Carolina. Carowinds is home to Fury 325, a 325-feet tall giga coaster that blasts riders through 6,602 feet of track at 95 miles per hour. Along with Fury 325, Carowinds has a total of 56 rides and attractions for visitors to enjoy, both in the main park and Carolina Harbor, Carowinds’ water park. The park further encourages visitors to partake in the rich culture and cuisine of the Carolinas. To that end, the park frequently features live performances of local musicians and has several food vendors that specialize in area favorites.

So, if you find yourself looking for some cheap flights, why not take in some not-so-cheap thrills along the way?