Maine is known as “Vacationland” and proudly boasts “The Way Life Should Be” on all its welcome signs at the state’s borders. It should therefore come as no surprise that Maine offers families a number of wholesome, fun activities to enjoy, whether for the day or throughout a vacation in the Pine Tree State. Among these are the state’s numerous amusement parks and water parks! Perhaps you and your family want to enjoy dry land adventures at the Palace Playland or visit the renowned York’s Wild Kingdom Zoo. Maybe water activities at the Aquaboggan Water Park or Splashtown are more appealing. Either way, you are sure to find and enjoy the theme park that will meet your family’s desire for fun!
Maine’s Theme Parks
The following list presents an overview of nearly “A to Z” theme parks you will want to explore with your family during your visit to “Vacationland”—whether you have one day for fun or an entire vacation to enjoy.
Aquaboggan Water Park in Saco
The town of Saco, near the quaint Old Orchard Beach, is home to the Aquaboggan Water Park. Known as the original water park in Maine, this theme park began over 40 years ago with an emphasis on family fun and something for everyone. Among its water features are the giant wave pool, high-speed water slides, and an aqua saucer. Dry-land activities include mini golf and go-carts.
The Aquaboggan Water Park is generally open from the end of June through Labor Day, weather permitting. General admission tickets, which include unlimited use of all water slides, pools, and mini golf, range from $6 for toddlers to $30 for adults. Season’s passes are available at $30 for toddlers and $90 for all other family members.
For more information, call (207)Â 282-3112.
Big Adventure Mini Golf in Bethel
Bethel, situated on the banks of the Androscoggin River, hosts Big Adventure Mini Golf, which offers a championship miniature golf course with ice cream and pizza, or you can walk the Mahoosuc Pathways Walking Park Trail.
The course is open Wednesday to Sunday (weather permitting) from noon to 5 p.m. Please call to make sure we are open if it has rained in the last 24 hours. Call and inquire about special group discounts (> $45) and private morning sessions for camps.
For more information, call (207)Â 824-0860.
Funtown Splashtown USA in Saco
Saco is also home to Funtown Splashtown USA, a theme park that has earned the reputation of being the largest family-oriented amusement and water park in northern New England. Funtown, the amusement park area, boasts several renowned rides, including the state’s only wooden roller coaster, known as Excalibur. Some of Funtown’s rides are also known as the biggest in New England, including the flume ride, Thunder Falls, and Dragon’s Descent, a vertical thrill ride.
Splashtown Water Park features 18 amazing water slides and pools. Like its counterparts in Funtown, Splashtown boasts two of the state’s largest family thrill rides, known as Mammoth and Tornado.
Funtown generally opens in mid-May, while Splashtown opens in mid-June; both parks operate through Labor Day. This theme park offers various pricing options. One-day passes range from $41 to $57, covering either Funtown, Splashtown, or a combination. Season passes are available from $96.95 to $159.95 for individuals, or $604.95 for a family/friends “4-pak.” All passes offer unlimited use of all rides, water slides, and pools.
For more information, call (207)Â 284-5139.
Palace Playland in Old Orchard Beach
Old Orchard Beach is the site of New England’s one and only amusement park, located on the beachfront! Palace Playland covers four acres along the beach and features over two dozen midway rides and attractions, including such familiar rides as the Ferris wheel, Tilt-a-Whirl, and roller coaster. Families can also enjoy bumper cars, a flume ride, and numerous other traditional amusement park rides. Palace Playland’s arcade, offering over 200 games and activities, is New England’s largest, covering 24,000 square feet.
Palace Playland is open from mid-June through Labor Day weekend, plus limited weekend hours in the months of April (plus April school vacation week), May, September, and October. Pricing options vary from individual ride tickets at $1.70 each to ticket books of 24 for $40 and 50 for $78. Unlimited 1-day passes range from $39 to $47. A season’s pass is currently $166.
For more information, call (207)Â 934-2001.
Seacoast Adventure Fun Parks in Windham
The town of Windham, in the Sebago Lakes region of Maine, hosts the Seacoast Fun Parks, known as the Pine Tree State’s “leading family recreation center.” This theme park offers three distinct attractions: Seacoast Fun Park; Crazy Apes Tree Top Adventures and Zip Lines; and Seacoast Snow Park. The Seacoast Fun Park offers numerous activities, including go-karts, bumper boats, a Ferris wheel, a hill slide, a 100-foot sky swing, and a large arcade. The Crazy Apes/Zip Park provides adventurous souls with five challenging high-rope obstacle courses among the tree tops, as well as three zip lines covering over 2,000 feet. The Seacoast Snow Park features snow tubing on individual or double tubes.
The Seacoast Fun Park operates from April through October, while the Crazy Apes/Zip Park goes through late November, weather permitting. Individual tickets for various activities in the Seacoast Fun Park range from $8.50 to $20 per person; package deals of two or more tickets for multiple activities range from $18.50 to $27, while summer season passes are $40 per person. Prices for Crazy Apes/Zip Park range from $12 to $35, depending on whether you choose rope courses, a solo or two trips down one, two, or all three lines, or unlimited access to all three lines, or a combination package of rope courses and zip lines. The Seacoast Snow Park opens on December 26th each year and operates as long as there is snow! Prices range from $34 to $50.
For more information, call (207)Â 892-5952.
Wild Acadia Fun Park & Camping Resort in Bar Harbor
The beautiful Bar Harbor region of Maine is home to the Wild Acadia Fun Park. This theme park offers a wide range of attractions for the family, including mini golf, go-karts, a sling-shot trampoline, waterslides, a pool, a 32-foot climbing wall, and an “ultimate” water balloon game. Furthermore, families can explore the Aerial Adventure Park, which offers such thrilling activities as a 30-rope course and platform activities as high as 45 feet off the ground, two zip lines, and a giant swing.
The Wild Acadia Fun Park operates from late May through early September. Prices vary depending on what activities you decide to do. You can purchase day passes for the fun park online, but they are limited based on availability, so it’s best to book ahead of time!
For more information, call: (207)Â 667-3573.
York’s Wild Kingdom Zoo and Amusement Park
Maine is proud to have its own zoo, known as York’s Wild Kingdom Zoo and Amusement Park, located in the York Beach area on 25 acres of preserved land. The zoo features 100 species of animals and birds from around the globe, with fact-filled signs posted about each one to provide an enriching learning experience while you and your family enjoy seeing the wildlife. The amusement park offers over 20 different kiddie rides as well as other attractions, including a Ferris wheel, roller coaster, mini golf, batting cages, and midway games.
York’s Wild Kingdom Zoo and Amusement Park operate from late May through September. As of 2011, prices for the zoo only ranged from $1 to $9 for children and $14.75 for adults; combination tickets for the zoo and rides ranged from $4.75 to $16.75 for children and $21.25 for adults.
For more information, call (207)Â 363-4911.
Which theme parks will you visit?
Whether you and your family choose dry land or water activities—or a mixture of both—Maine’s theme parks are sure to please children and adults alike. Make plans now to visit your favorite amusement and water parks in “Vacationland” and create memories that will last a lifetime.
