Summer’s not over quite yet! If you’re looking for another outing before the kids head back to school — or you go back to the office — check out one of the many fabulous amusement parks near DC. These options that are just a short drive from our area. Whatever your speed — from the lazy river to go-karts — there is an option for you!
MARYLAND
13710 Central Ave, Bowie, MD 20721
Six Flags America offers “thrill” rides like the “Mind Eraser, plus family and kid rides, water rides, and live shows. A variety of dining options are also available. Daily tickets range from $24.99 during the week to $34.99 on the weekends. A season pass pays for itself in just two visits to the park, which is just 20 miles from Alexandria. Annual memberships are also available. Check the park’s current hours here.
Adventure Park U.S.A.
11113 W. Baldwin Road, Monrovia, MD
This amusement park near Frederick, Maryland offers more than 20 indoor and outdoor attractions, including three roller coasters, mini-golf courses, a ropes course, laser tag, bowling, a go-kart track, and over 75 arcade games. Admission is $46.95 for a full day at Adventure Park U.S.A (for an additional $10, play unlimited arcade games during your visit). The Ride & Play Pass includes all indoor and outdoor attractions. This park is 50 miles from Alexandria and is open 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily; open until 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays
VIRGINIA
Busch Gardens
1 Busch Gardens Blvd., Williamsburg, VA 23185
Busch Gardens is home to tons of roller coasters plus plenty of kid-friendly rides. Busch Gardens also offers family-friendly entertainment, such as German oom-pah bands and Irish dance, and fun events like Oktoberfest. Be sure to check out its lineup of animals, including Clydesdale horses! Tickets options range from day-specific passes (with an optional dining add-on), 2-day tickets, and season passes. Discounts are offered for veterans and active-duty military. Check the park’s current operating hours here. Busch Gardens is 150 miles from Alexandria (about a 2.5-hour drive). While in the area, visit its nearby water park, Water Country USA.
SplashDown Waterpark
7500 Ben Lomond Park Road, Manassas, VA 20109
Thirty miles from Alexandria, SplashDown Waterpark boasts eight water slides, including the four-story Pipeline Tower and the Tropical Twister. Less adventurous visits can enjoy the park’s lazy river or zero-depth children’s area. The cost of entry is $12.50 for visitors under 48” and $16 for those over 48”. Seniors are $10 and children under two are free. Note: tickets are only sold at the gate. After August 20, the park is open on weekends only through September.
Kings Dominion
16000 Theme Park Way, Doswell, VA 23047
Located just off I-95, just over an hour south of Alexandria, Kings Dominion features world-class coasters and rides, “Soak City” water park, a 14-acre kids area, and special events and live entertainment all throughout the year. Day passes start at just $39 and a military discount is offered. Check out the current hours here.
OUTSIDE THE DMV
Hershey Park
100 W. Hersheypark Drive, Hershey, PA 17033
This family-friendly park, located about 2.5 hours away, offers roller coasters, a water park, live entertainment, Hershey characters, and a zoo with more than 200 animals. While in town, be sure to tour the nearby Hershey’s Chocolate World, where you can sample limited edition and samples of new product flavors. A one-day ticket is $62.95 for ages 9-21; $52.95 for ages 3-8 and over 62. Two-day passes are $46 per day. Annual passes are also available. Current operating hours can be found here.
Cedar Point
1 Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky, OH 44870
Check out a classic — Cedar Point, the country’s second-oldest amusement park. While Cedar Point is a 6.5-hour drive from Alexandria, it’s well worth the trip! It is home to a whopping 18 roller coasters, water rides, shopping, dining, and entertainment. Daily tickets are $49 and are available for online purchase here. A military discount is offered.
Wisconsin Dells
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965-0390
If you’re really up for a road trip (like 14 hours), visit the “The Waterpark Capital of the World!” in southern Wisconsin. Explore the Dells’ many park options here.
The Bottom Line
Make the most of the last few days of summer! Get out there and explore one of the fantastic amusement parks near DC. Did we miss your favorite? Please reach out and let us know!
