The quaint and charming atmosphere that New England has long been known for extends into its theme parks, which offer travelers the chance to enjoy good, old-fashioned fun together. The top New England/Connecticut amusement parks perfectly blend the nostalgia of days gone by with the thrills that modern park guests are hoping for, giving people of all ages the chance to make lasting memories.
Below, we detail the seven best amusement parks in New England and Connecticut.
1. Lake Compounce Amusement & Water Park
- Address: 185 Enterprise Dr, Bristol, CT 06010
- Best for: Thrill-seekers and families alike.
There is a sense of history that permeates the air throughout all of New England and Lake Compounce Amusement & Water Park is no exception. Famously known as the oldest continuously-operating theme park in the United States, Lake Compounce has been welcoming fun-loving guests for more than 175 years. Not surprisingly, it's considered to be one of the best amusement parks in New England/Connecticut, by both local residents and guests from afar.
Lake Compounce may have a storied past, but visitors can still expect all of the thrills and excitement of a modern theme park experience. Perhaps the most notable attraction at the park is Boulder Dash, a gripping wooden rollercoaster that has been voted as the top wooden coaster in the world more than five times. In addition to classic rides and rollercoasters, the theme park also has an attached water park, which includes a lighthouse water slide and other attractions that make a splash.
For the most part, this theme park and water park is a seasonal destination, with most guests coming to enjoy the sights and sounds during the warm summer months. However, the park offers special events on the weekends in the fall and during the holiday season, giving visitors the opportunity to experience Lake Compounce at various times of the year.
2. Quassy Amusement & Waterpark
- Address: 2132 Middlebury Rd, Middlebury, CT 06762
- Best for: Families looking for wet and wild fun on a summer day.
Resting on the shores of Lake Quassapaug in Middlebury, Connecticut, Quassy Amusement & Waterpark has been welcoming visitors since 1908. To this day, this park still retains the same sense of charm and nostalgia that it did when it first opened its gates nearly 120 years ago.
There are more than 20 rides scattered throughout this amusement park, providing families and guests with plenty of opportunities to choose the thrills they enjoy the most. The Wooden Warrior rollercoaster is a fan favorite, having been recognized as one of the best rides of its kind. In addition, there are innovative thrill rides in the park, such as Frantic, a first-of-its-kind attraction that takes you on 360-degree twirls.
Of course, no day at Quassy Amusement & Waterpark would be complete without a visit to the Splash Away Bay Waterpark, which features super-soaking fun for people of all ages. The youngest visitors will enjoy the tipping bucket and the splash pad, while older guests will enjoy the water slides that range from family-friendly to extreme.
3. The Dinosaur Place
- Address: 1650 Hartford-New London Turnpike, CT-85, Oakdale, CT 06370
- Best for: Families with young children.
Self-described as the largest dinosaur park in New England, the Dinosaur Place is unlike any other of the best theme parks in New England/Connecticut. This family fun park spans more than 60 acres and is located in the heart of Nature's Art Village in Oakdale, Connecticut.
While other amusement parks feature a vast range of rides and attractions, this outdoor adventure park offers more opportunities to roam and explore. The highlight of the park is the dinosaur trails, which wind throughout the park and allow people of all ages to discover more than 100 life-sized dinosaur sculptures and animatronics along the way. In addition, the park is home to the largest outdoor playscape in New England as well as a splash pad, making it a favorite among families with young children who are looking for a safe and fun space to be outdoors, use up some energy and make some memories along the way.
This seasonal family fun park is typically open from April to November, with daily hours, weather permitting. Some trails and experiences may be limited during non-peak times.
4. Six Flags New England
- Address: 1623 Main St, Agawam, MA 01001
- Best for: Thrills and those looking for impressive coasters.
For a renowned theme park experience in New England, head straight to Six Flags New England, which is known as one of the largest and best amusement parks in New England/Connecticut. Located in Agawam, Massachusetts, this 200-acre theme park is home to more than 100 rides and attractions, including rollercoasters, thrill rides, family rides and water rides.
One of the things that visitors love the most about this New England amusement park is the fact that there is always something new to experience. Coming up in 2026, guests will be able to experience the first dual-launch straddle coaster in New England, the Quantum Accelerator. This family-friendly coaster will invite guests to hop on board and grab onto the handlebars, mimicking the feeling of being on a motorbike or hoverboard. Rather than an uphill climb, the Quantum Accelerator will feature breathtaking launches, giving riders the opportunity to enjoy the rush of fierce acceleration.
Six Flags New England is a seasonal amusement park, with daily hours during the summer months. There are limited park hours on the weekend in the fall. While it's possible to visit the park in a day, a longer stay is recommended for those who want to enjoy the full experience.
5. Funtown Splashtown USA
- Address: 774 Portland Rd, Saco, ME 04072
- Best for: Families and those looking for more classic attractions.
For more than 55 years, Funtown Splashtown USA has been a family-favorite attraction in Saco, Maine. This hidden gem amusement park boasts an intimate atmosphere, giving families the ability to enjoy a picture-perfect day together in the heart of New England.
Funtown Splashtown USA boasts more than 50 land and water rides, including the only wooden rollercoaster in Maine and the longest and tallest log flume ride in New England. In 2025, however, the park revealed its first brand-new attraction in decades: the Whispering Pines Haunted Hotel Dark Ride. This immersive, spine-tingling ride takes guests through 14 distinct rooms in the haunted hotel, including one room that features the same carpet from the infamous hotel in the horror movie The Shining. The ride itself has been heralded by guests as one of the best of its kind and it has earned the park some well-deserved national recognition.
With two parks in one convenient location, Funtown Splashtown USA is the perfect place for a New England day trip or a long weekend getaway.
6. Story Land
- Address: 850 NH-16, Glen, NH 03838
- Best for: Families with young children
Tucked away in New Hampshire's majestic White Mountains, Story Land is an idyllic family theme park that brings your favorite fairy tales to life. Primarily designed for children between the ages of 2 and 12 years old, this is one of the top New England/Connecticut amusement parks for families with young children.
The attractions at this park are exciting and inviting, yet they are not too big and scary for the youngest visitors, making it the perfect starter park for budding theme park enthusiasts. A few of the must-do attractions at Story Land include the Roar-O-Saurus coaster and the Bamboo Chutes, so you may want to consider starting your day at Story Land at these popular rides.
In addition to the rides that young children will delight in, Story Land is also home to character meet-and-greets, princess dining experiences and live shows starring the characters that little ones all know and love. It's one of the best day trips in the White Mountains for families.
7. Santa's Village
- Address: 528 Presidential Hwy, Jefferson, NH 03583
- Best for: Experiencing the Christmas spirit year-round.
Those who wish that it could be Christmas every day will find that their dreams can come true at Santa's Village, the only Christmas-themed amusement park in New England. Nestled among the White Mountains in Jefferson, New Hampshire, Santa's Village is a one-of-a-kind park designed for families with young children. While all ages are welcome, most attractions are geared toward children between the ages of 2 and 12 years old.
Every ride and attraction at Santa's Village is Christmas themed, so you will spend your day enjoying rides such as the Chimney Drop, the Midnight Flyer rollercoaster or the Yule Log Flume. In addition to these classic, family-friendly theme park rides, this amusement park is home to unique experiences and attractions. You can feed the reindeer at the Reindeer Rendezvous barn or have a visit with Santa early in the season inside his home. Of course, you won't want to miss out on the chance to learn like an elf at Elf University.
Santa's Village is open daily during the summer, with select hours from September through December. It's the ideal day trip during your White Mountains vacation.
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