Americans on Vacation: Theme Parks

In the United States, summer is the traditional time for vacations, and one summer attraction with wide appeal is the theme park.

In the United States, summer is the traditional time for vacations. The ways in which Americans spend their leisure hours are as diverse as the land and its people, but one attraction with wide appeal is the theme park.

The United States is home to more theme parks and family entertainment centers than any other country in the world, according to Theme Parks Magazine online. From large corporate parks, like those in the Disney and Six Flags families, to small family-owned and -operated parks, the U.S. landscape is dotted with hectares of thrilling rides, attractions and much more.

Here, in an undated photo, visitors to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, test their courage on the Wild Eagle, a new 64-meter-tall roller coaster that opened in March. The coaster is one of a number of new attractions opening at theme parks around the United States this season.

Dollywood, named for country music star and part owner Dolly Parton, is Tennessee’s most visited tourist attraction, consistently drawing more than 2 million visitors a year, according to its website. Visitors from across the United States and around the world flock to the park to experience the heart and soul of the Great Smoky Mountains. There, they can enjoy a blend of thrilling rides, spectacular shows and master mountain craftsmen, all sprinkled with the country singer’s special brand of charm and appeal.

For more information on vacation destinations in the United States, see 50 States in 50 Days.