For thrill-seekers, a fun day out often includes a jaunt to the nearest theme park and queues to ride the best roller coasters. Often, these heart-stopping rides are the highlight of any trip, and the USA has some of the greatest roller coasters in the world. Here is a list of some of the most exciting roller coasters across America that you should check off your bucket list.
Kings Dominion’s Intimidator 305
Kings Dominion located in Doswell, VA, is home to one of the most adrenaline-rush inducing roller coasters in the world. Intimidator 305 is the tallest roller coaster in the state, reaching 305 feet. With a top speed of 90 miles per hour, and 87-degree drop, riders experience the sensation of weightlessness along with intense G-forces. This coaster is considered a true experience for thrill-seekers.
Magic Mountain’s X2
Six Flags Magic Mountain, in Valencia, CA, is home to X2, the world’s first fourth-dimensional roller coaster. With a head-over-heels rotating four-person seating, riders hold on tight throughout their 4 and a half minute journey. Being launched backward and forward on their journey, and with fire, smoke and fog effects added, X2 is one wild ride sure to get your heart pumping.
Cedar Point’s Millennium Force
Millenium Force, located in Sandusky, Ohio, is one of the iconic attractions at Cedar Point — and for good reason. Being the first roller coaster in the world to crest 300 feet and travel at speeds of 93 miles per hour, it is considered a modern engineering marvel. With a feel-like-you-are-floating first drop and stomach-dropping turns, this coaster has earned a name for itself as one of the most thrilling rides in the US.
Knoebels’s Phoenix
For more traditional tastes, Knoebels, in Elysburg, PA, is home to the Phoenix wooden coaster. While wooden roller coasters have a reputation as being rough and unpredictable, Phoenix is renowned for its smooth ride and its incredible inversions and speed. This coaster is ideal for those who want the adrenaline rush without too many thrills.
Knotts Berry Farm’s GhostRider
Knotts Berry Farm, located in Buena Park, CA, currently holds the title of longest wooden roller coaster operating in the world thanks to the GhostRider. This coaster features 54 miles of track filled with sharp turns, dips and unexpected banking. Unlike the Phoenix, this woodie is a rough but thrilling ride.
Disney’s California Adventure’s Incredicoaster
For those who want a touch of Disney-style magic in their thrill-seeking, Incredicoaster at Disney California Adventure, in Anaheim, CA, is the coaster for you. Incredicoaster is based on the popular Pixar movie, The Incredibles and winks to fans throughout the ride. The coaster reaches speeds of 55 miles per hour and features twists, turns and corkscrews.
Carowinds’s Fury 325
Fury 325 is located at Carowinds in Charlotte, NC, and is one of the most popular spots at the park. With an overall drop of 325 feet, this coaster starts with a 81- degree drop that makes hearts drop and reaches heights of 95 miles per hour. Just when riders believe the thrill is over, the coaster takes them for a few wild turns and twists on the back of the track.
Silver Dollar City’s Outlaw Run
The Outlaw Run at Silver Dollar City, in Branson, MO, offers riders a wild ride. This coaster is faster and steeper than any other wooden coaster in the world. Outlaw Run features a side-winding track that twists at an unprecedented 81 degrees, with speeds of 68 miles per hour.
Coney Island’s Cyclone
Cyclone, located at the Coney Island Amusement Park in Brooklyn, NY, is one of the oldest roller coaster’s in the US. This classic wooden coaster takes riders on a bumpy wild ride. With a typical speed of 60 miles-per-hour, this ride may not be as fast as newer ones, but thrill seekers won’t miss out on an adrenaline-rush.
SeaWorld San Diego’s Manta
The Manta roller coaster is located at SeaWorld San Diego in California. This is a one-of-a-kind flying coaster for the serious thrill-seeker. With its height of 100 feet, and speeds of 56 miles per hour, it offers riders an experience like no other. Warning – this ride will make you feel like you can fly!
With over ten amazing roller coasters to choose from, thrill-seekers will have no problem finding a ride to experience the ultimate rush. Whether you like the traditional wooden thrills of Phoenix or the more modern feat of engineering that is Intimidator 305, the USA has something to suit every adrenaline junkie. So find your roller coaster and get ready for a wild ride!
