Disney World is a pretty long and expensive trip from Newburyport. However, we’ve got our own little amusement parks within minutes from home. Okay, they may not compare to Disney World, but who can spare that kind of extra change, not to mention the eons of time spent waiting in line?
Have you been to York Wild Animal Kingdom lately? I’m not talking about the zoo, just the adjacent amusement park (though, if you haven’t been, the zoo is worth a visit). No groaning please, I know the park is a bit hokey. The park is small and the amusements aren’t terribly sophisticated. But, at $11 per kid for unlimited rides, how can you go wrong?
They have the requisite Merry Go Round and Ferris Wheel. The older kids can occupy themselves for hours on The Scrambler, The Round Up, and the bumper cars. They even have a haunted house for those that dare. Little ones will enjoy the numerous kiddie rides, the bouncy house, the mini-roller coaster, and the bumper boats. The best part is there are virtually no lines for any of it. Also, if you are craving fair grub like fried dough,
cotton candy, or French fries, this is the place to be.
One of the best family nights we’ve had so far this summer was at York. We had an early dinner, spent several hours at the amusement park, and then took a five minute walk over to Short Sands Beach. The kids played in the sand while we parents relaxed on a blanket listening to the surf. Of course, if you are in the mood for shopping, York has plenty of t-shirt shops and novelty shops located just outside of the park’s gates. Not to mention, there are some great little seafood restaurants, an arcade, and a bowling alley.
York Wild Animal Kingdom’s amusement park is open every day until the end of August from noon until 9:30 pm. The zoo is open at 10 a.m. Check out their website at www.yorkzoo.com for directions and for some money saving coupons.
Canobie Lake Park is close by in Salem, N.H. It is a bit more expensive at $32 for general admission and $23 for those under 48 inches (children under 3 are free). Also, unlike York, you have to pay to enter the park. Which means, even if the grown-ups don’t plan on going on any rides, they have to pay the full admission price. However, it will definitely consume an entire day and it offers all those scary rides most teens crave.
Can
obie has rides for every age level and for every level of thrill seeking. It’s a great place to be on a hot day because they have water rides like the Boston Tea Party and the Log Flume. They have three roller coasters (that I refuse to go on), including the old wooden Yankee Cannonball and their newest, Untamed (which looks terrifying). They have at least a dozen kiddie rides and plenty of what I call mid-scare amusements like DaVinci’s Dream and the Pirate Ship.
Canobie also offers shows throughout the day. The shows are on different stages in the park and are part of your general admission. They have an exotic animal exhibit and several celebrity impersonators including Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, and Tim McGraw.
If you get hungry, there are lots of food vendors to choose from but none of them are terribly healthy or cheap. Unfortunately, the park strictly prohibits you from bringing in your own food or beverages.
You can get directions to and more information about Canobie Lake Park at www.canobie.com. Pick up discount tickets at McDonalds or Market Basket.
In parting, I have one word of warning. Think twice before purchasing that $3.50 cup of lemonade, it tastes suspiciously like Country Time!
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Lisa DeGloria is a freelance writer and somewhat harried mother of three boys. She lives in Newburyport and can be reached at lisadegloria@comcast.net.
