Take your preschoolers on a long summer weekend to Indiana to savor the kindest, gentlest theme park in the central US.
“I’m thirsty!” Gabby, my 5-year old complains. The day we visited Holiday World Amusement Park in Santa Claus, Indiana is a scorcher, and she’s starting to drag. No problem! There isn’t much in this world that’s free, but at Holiday World, the drinks are on them. We head for one of the many Oasis stations found in the park and help ourselves to unlimited soft drinks, lemonade, and water. (Throughout the day, I watch many kids, thrilled to be dispensing their own drinks, create “soft drink punch,” by combining all of them in one cup!).
It’s so hot that we head straight for the adjoining waterpark, Splashin’ Safari. Before grabbing our inner tubes (no deposit), we lather on sunscreen from a self-serve kiosk located just outside the changing rooms – all for free!
It’s the little things that make visiting this family-owned park different from its more commercial competitors, that is if you call superior customer service: “little.” When an afternoon thunderstorm caused rivers on the walkways, we ran for cover and decided to stick it out. For over an hour I watched drenched employees hand out free rain slickers. Almost immediately, announcements were made over the loudspeakers updating us on the weather and the park’s re-opening status. But what most impressed me was how customers who chose not to stay were treated. Employees cheerfully handed out rain-checks and thanked them for coming.
Located two-and-half hours south of Indianapolis, Holiday World began as Santa Claus Land in 1946, billed as the world’s first theme park. In 1984, it expanded to include three themed sections: Christmas, Halloween, and Fourth of July. The waterpark addition came in 1993. Aside from two roller coasters, you won’t find the type of thrill rides here that attract hordes of teenagers, which makes it perfect for families with children age 12 and under (and for adults like me who don’t really care for thrill rides).
While there are new attractions added each year, the charm of this place is its nostalgia. The pint-size Freedom Train has been operating ever since the park opened. As I watched my daughter go around for the third time, I overheard a father tell his son, “I remember riding this when I was your age.” Santa Claus made three appearances for story time (even in the blistering heat), just as he did at the park’s inception.
Older kids (and adults) raced to get in line for The Raven and The Legend, the park’s wooden roller coasters. Just weeks before our trip, I happened to be watching a PBS special on amusement parks and Holiday World was featured. Among wooden rollercoaster enthusiasts, The Raven is consistently ranked among the best, and if the screams I heard are any indication, the reports are true!
There’s a noticeable effort to maintain a natural landscape, and both roller coasters thread through heavily forested sections. The green environment was extremely appealing compared to seeing only miles of cement at so many other amusement parks.
On the waterpark side, there are plenty of thrills, including ZOOMbabwe, the world’s largest enclosed waterslide. On the Zinga, riders on rafts race through an enclosed tunnel and then shoot out into an enormous funnel which propels them from side to side so high it appears they will flip. Jungle Racer is the latest addition, a ten-lane, five-story racing slide. But, floating on an inner tube down the Congo River was much more my speed!
Here are a few things to know before you go: Holiday World and Spashin’ Safari are smoke-free except for designated areas. Most people head for the rides first, so to avoid crowds, start your day at the waterpark, which opens at 11am. General admission is $41.95/adult, and $31.95 for seniors and children under 54-inches. While you’re there on day one, a second-day ticket can be purchased for only $21/adult, with children 2 years and under free; this is a great deal with toddlers, who may quickly tire before trying all the rides.
If you’re going for a two-day visit, decide early so you can avoid the mounting Ticket Lines later in the day. Or, purchase your tickets in advance through the website, with seven days notice. Parking is free. Holiday World’s season runs May to mid-October. For more information, visit www.holidayworld.com or call 877/463-2645
Family Lodging Options
There are several choices for overnight accommodations. Lake Rudolph Campground and RV Resort (877/478-3657) is located adjacent to Holiday World. About 15 minutes away in Jasper, are Holiday Inn Jasper (800/872-3176) and Baymont Inn (800/301-0200).
We chose to stay at the French Lick Resort Casino (812/936-9300; 8670 West State Road 56, French Link, IN 47432), an hour north in the town of French Lick. The historic resort is located on 2,600-acres in Hoosier National Forest and has recently been restored. It caters very well to families by offering indoor and outdoor pools, horseback riding, golf, tennis, bowling, and “Extraordinary Experiences” for kids aged 6-12-years old. The full-service spa features a special spring water bath. Those staying a weekend will find plenty of fun to keep them occupied. For more information and rates, call 800/457-4042 or visit www.frenchlick.com
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I love spending time in London. I think if you want to spend time out of the city, Brighton is also a great place to visit, especially as it’s close by. There are a number of family-friendly hotels, too, like The Brighton Hotel:
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It’s a steam excursion train, shorter ride, probably many kids on board. This would be better suited to younger children. Much better choice for the under-12 set.
Ralph
Originally created as a recreation area for employees of the Hershey Chocolate factory, today Hershey Park boasts plenty of chocolate paraphernalia, as well as roller coasters and a water park. Tickets include admission to the nearby ZOOAMERICA. Originally owned by the Knott’s jam producers, Knott’s Berry Farm amusement park is one of the older parks in the US, Knott’s Berry Farm is a classic for those looking for thrill rides, water rides and family fun.
Hi Ralph, thank you for your reply. I haven’t booked it yet as I had similar reservations that since it’s an 8-hr journey, it will not be wise to take the kids at this age but would love to take them on a shorter train tour, I’m currently looking at the Jacobite express (here in the UK).
Hello Zeb,
For children under 10, It would simply be too long a day in too confined a space for them, might get a little boring for them after the first 20 minutes; it’s an eight-hour journey.
If they are active, there isn’t a lot of room to run around on the train, which is smaller than the ones we are used to here in the U.S.
If you have already booked a space, and will have toddlers or young children, suggest you bring lots of things to keep the little ones entertained.
Ralph
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Have been to Switzerland but missed the Glacier Express, I’ve heard it really one of the best train journeys in the World with amazing mountain/alps view. Is it good to travel with kids 7 and 4 years old) too, since it’s 8 hours long?
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Gladiator School – My new favorite thing to do in Rome. We did this on our last trip to Rome and both kids and adults absolutely loved it. Instructors are great. Highly recommended. Book far in advance. (Pictured above.) Walking Tour: Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill – Excellent guided tour of Ancient Rome. Skip the line to enter all three sites. Very kid-friendly.
Deer Valley caters to families with kid-friendly skiing, child care programs and a limited child-to-instructor ratio. Because Deer Valley sells a limited number of daily lift tickets, tiny tots and pint-sized groms have plenty of room to work on their pizza wedge and French fries. Other amenities include a Children s Center, Adventure Camp and furry mascots on the Adventure Trails. I grew up skiing here and learned to love the mountains and snow at this resort. The amenities are top notch and the food is amazing. As a young kid, when the skiing got tough, I would always head inside and get delicious food and hot cocoa. See more Deer Valley reviews here .
Fall is very busy in the mountainous regions with the influx of leaf peepers from the New England area, around the United States and the world. In these extremely popular areas, you ll want to make lodging reservations at least several weeks ahead, especially on weekends. Columbus Day weekend (Oct 7-9, 2017) is another time in which advanced booking is advised throughout the region.
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Traveling to other cities with your kiddos? Don’t miss Curbed’s maps of the best family activities
Good to know : West Valley is open daily from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Apples are $0.85 a pound. Follow their Facebook page for updates on U-pick apples. And be sure to bring containers for their popular juice pressed right on site!
Minneapolis, Minnesota is a great pick for outdoor-loving families thanks to kid-friendly (and free) favorites like the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, home to more than 40 outdoor works of art
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Speaking of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, don t miss out on seeing the Rockettes show-stopping leg kick precision chorus during the holidays at Radio City Music Hall.
Jimmy Buffet s restaurant is a short walk from the Comfort Suites Paradise Island Hotel and Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island. What could be better than eating a literal Cheeseburger in Paradise? Pairing it with a yummy margarita, of course.
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What s more exhilarating than seeing the city from 108 floors above the world-famous Las Vegas Strip? Jumping off it. Strap in and face your fear as you jump off the side of SkyPod at The STRAT.
Have you ever dreamed of creating your own ice sculpture? The Quebec Winter Carnival has just what you’re looking for! Bring your group to our Ice Sculpture Workshops under the guidance of a team led by none other than Marc Lepire, chief sculptor of Bonhomme’s Ice Palace! During this one-hour event, you will learn the workflow of master sculptors and enjoy the unique experience of carving your own solid ice block with your group of 2 to 4 people. Free all-you-can-drink hot chocolate will keep you warm throughout the frosty fun.
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