Texas, the Lone Star State, is known for its vast landscapes, vibrant culture, and, of course, its larger-than-life attractions. It should come as no surprise that Where to Find Coasters and Other Amusements in Texas is a question answered by a plethora of options. From thrilling theme parks to charming amusement centers, Texas offers a diverse range of experiences for thrill-seekers and families alike.
Among the titans of Texas amusement is Six Flags Over Texas, the very first park in the Six Flags chain. This Arlington-based destination is a veritable wonderland of exhilarating rides and captivating attractions. But Where to Find Coasters and Other Amusements in Texas isn’t limited to just one park. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most notable destinations that contribute to Texas’s vibrant amusement landscape:
Big Rivers Waterpark and Fairgrounds (New Caney)
Originally conceived as a sprawling water park, Big Rivers has expanded its offerings to include a "dry" amusement area known as the Big Rivers Fairgrounds. This expansion significantly broadens the park’s appeal, providing a diverse range of entertainment options for visitors of all ages.
The Fairgrounds boasts a collection of exciting rides, including SPINdletop, a pendulum ride that swings passengers through a complete 360-degree arc, delivering a dizzying and exhilarating experience. Rolling Thunder, a spinning roller coaster, adds another layer of thrill with its unpredictable twists and turns. In addition to these headlining attractions, the Fairgrounds features a variety of spinning rides and attractions designed specifically for younger children, ensuring that there’s something for everyone in the family.
Beyond the traditional amusement rides, Big Rivers offers a unique blend of activities that cater to a wide range of interests. Visitors can test their aim with archery or try their hand at axe throwing, adding a touch of rustic charm to the amusement park experience. For those seeking a more leisurely pursuit, gem mining provides an opportunity to uncover hidden treasures. A challenging maze offers a mental workout, while a petting zoo allows for close encounters with friendly animals. And for those who enjoy the tranquility of fishing, Big Rivers provides a serene setting to cast a line and relax by the water.
Cotaland (Austin)
Nestled within the Circuit of The Americas (COTA), a world-renowned motorsports and entertainment complex, Cotaland has evolved from a small kiddie amusement park into a destination with a growing collection of thrills. Initially featuring gentle rides such as a train, carousel, and a racing-car themed Whip, Cotaland has steadily expanded its offerings to cater to a wider range of thrill-seekers.
The park currently offers two toned-down roller coasters: Big Apple and Skyflyer. These coasters provide a taste of the thrill experience without being overly intimidating, making them perfect for younger riders or those who prefer a more moderate level of excitement.
In 2021, Cotaland took a significant step towards elevating its thrill factor with the addition of Texas Wildcat, a moderately thrilling steel coaster that delivers a more intense experience than its predecessors. For the 2022 season, Cotaland is set to introduce Palindrome, a custom-designed shuttle coaster that promises to be the park’s most extreme thrill ride to date.
Palindrome will ascend to a height of 95 feet, reaching a top speed of 51 mph. The coaster’s unique design includes two inversions, adding to the adrenaline-pumping experience. After climbing a dead-end spike, the coaster will retrace its route, sending riders backwards through the course, further amplifying the thrill.
Joyland (Lubbock)
Joyland stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of traditional amusement parks. This medium-sized park offers a delightful blend of classic rides and modern thrills, creating a nostalgic and engaging experience for visitors of all ages.
Among Joyland’s notable attractions is a small Galaxi steel coaster, providing a taste of high-speed excitement. The Mad Mouse coaster adds a touch of unpredictability with its sharp turns and sudden drops. A log flume offers a refreshing escape from the Texas heat, while a gondola ride provides panoramic views of the park and its surroundings.
Joyland also features a variety of spinning rides that are sure to induce laughter and excitement. Thrill rides offer a more intense adrenaline rush, while kiddie rides cater specifically to the youngest visitors, ensuring that everyone in the family has something to enjoy. For those seeking a unique experience, Joyland offers a couple of "dry" wet rides, allowing guests to experience the thrill of water-based attractions without the need for bathing suits.
Moody Gardens (Galveston Island)
Moody Gardens offers a unique blend of education and entertainment, making it a destination that appeals to both the mind and the senses. This multifaceted complex features an aquarium, a rainforest exhibit, and a discovery museum, providing visitors with opportunities to learn about the natural world in an engaging and interactive way.
Beyond its educational offerings, Moody Gardens also boasts a variety of attractions that cater to those seeking entertainment and adventure. A 3D theater immerses viewers in captivating cinematic experiences, while a 4D Special FX theater adds another layer of realism with its sensory effects. "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: An Interactive Adventure" invites guests to embark on a thrilling underwater journey.
For those seeking more active pursuits, Moody Gardens offers a paddlewheel boat ride that provides scenic views of the surrounding area. A ropes course challenges visitors to test their agility and problem-solving skills, while a zipline offers a thrilling aerial perspective.
Kemah Boardwalk (Kemah)
Kemah Boardwalk is a vibrant entertainment, amusement, shopping, and restaurant complex that offers a diverse range of experiences for visitors of all ages. This waterfront destination provides a lively atmosphere, with a variety of attractions and activities to keep guests entertained throughout the day and night.
Among the Boardwalk’s notable rides is the Boardwalk Bullet wooden coaster, a thrilling and twisting ride that delivers a classic coaster experience. A double-decker carousel adds a touch of nostalgia and whimsy, while a Ferris wheel provides panoramic views of the surrounding area.
In addition to its rides, Kemah Boardwalk features a stingray reef and rainforest exhibit, allowing visitors to get up close and personal with fascinating marine life and exotic plants. The Boardwalk Beast speedboat thrill ride offers an adrenaline-pumping experience, taking guests on a high-speed tour of the waterfront.
Morgan’s Wonderland (San Antonio)
Morgan’s Wonderland stands as a testament to the power of inclusivity and accessibility. This unique park in San Antonio is specifically designed to cater to children and adults with special needs, as well as their family members, caregivers, and friends.
The attractions at Morgan’s Wonderland, including a carousel, a pirate-themed playground, a Ferris wheel, and a splash park, have all been built with accommodations to ensure that everyone can participate and enjoy the experience. Guests with special needs receive free admission, making Morgan’s Wonderland a truly welcoming and inclusive destination.
Kiddie Park (San Antonio)
The Kiddie Park in San Antonio dates back to 1925 and bills itself as the oldest children’s amusement park in the country. The park is part of the San Antonio Zoo. It has an antique carousel, spinning helicopters, a Ferris wheel, and other classic rides. There are also live pony rides, carnival games, an arcade, and face painting.
SeaWorld San Antonio
SeaWorld San Antonio is part of the SeaWorld chain. The marine life park offers shows and exhibits along with rides and the Aquatica water park. Themed rides include Wave Breaker, the Rescue Coaster. For 2022, the park will be debuting Tidal Surge, the world’s tallest and fastest "Screaming Swing" ride.
Six Flags Fiesta Texas (San Antonio)
Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio is known as much for its stage shows as its rides and features rock, soul, oldies, and other genres. Among its standout attractions is Iron Rattler, a wonderful hybrid wooden-steel coaster. Included with admission are the water park rides at White Water Bay.
Six Flags Over Texas (Arlington)
One of Six Flags’ flagship parks (and the original park in the chain), Six Flags Over Texas is loaded with coasters and many other rides. Six Flags Over Texas boasts the industry’s first log flume ride, the first mine train coaster, and the first hybrid wooden-steel coaster.
Tilt Studio (Beaumont and Katy)
The indoor family entertainment centers offer arcades, snack bars, laser tag, bowling, mini-golf, and Outrun 2 racing simulator attractions. The Beaumont location also features bumper cars and a Himalaya spinning ride. The Katy Tilt Studio has a Tilt-A-Whirl spinning ride.
Traders Village (Grand Prairie, Houston, and San Antonio)
The Traders Village locations are primarily flea markets that each attract thousands of dealers to their sprawling sites. But they also offer small amusement parks with rides such as Village Vortex, which sends passengers looping upside down; The Fleafall, a drop tower ride; and kiddie rides, including a carousel, a helicopter spinning ride, and a climbing structure.
Wonderland Park (Amarillo)
The classic amusement park in Amarillo features three major roller coasters, including the looping Texas Tornado. It also offers a great collection of water rides such as the Big Splash log flume, the Shoot the Chute splashdown ride, and the Rattlesnake River raft ride.
Western Playland (El Paso)
The medium-sized amusement park in El Paso offers the Hurricane roller coaster, a spinning coaster, the Tsunami splashdown ride, a drop tower ride, kiddie rides, and additional thrill rides.
ZDT’s Amusement Park (Seguin)
The small amusement park in Seguin offers the unique wooden coaster, Switchback. It also has other rides such as go-karts, water park attractions, a climbing wall, and an arcade.
Where to Find Coasters and Other Amusements in Texas is a question that leads to a diverse and exciting collection of destinations. From thrilling roller coasters to captivating shows and interactive exhibits, Texas offers something for everyone seeking a memorable and entertaining experience. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker, a family looking for a fun day out, or someone seeking a unique and educational experience, Texas’s amusement landscape has something to offer.
