The 7 Best Theme Parks in Texas for Thrills and Fun

The Lone Star State covers so much ground that it's no secret it has a little of everything. Sprawling ranches, gorgeous beaches, desert mountains and mesas, rolling hills covered in millions of wildflowers, big cities and adorable German-influenced small towns. To top it off, you'll also find fantastic theme parks, but it can be tough to narrow down which ones are worth your travel time. AAA offers discounts for theme parks and attractions that can often help make booking your trip easier.

Below, we detail the seven best theme parks in Texas to help you plan your upcoming vacation adventure.

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Since its inception, the Six Flags enterprise has expanded all over North America, with this location being the first. Located in Arlington, which is part of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, Six Flags Over Texas is one of the biggest and oldest theme parks in the state. The park was opened in 1961 and the name "Six Flags" refers to the flags of the six nations that have conquered Texas at different points.

Thrill-seekers love this park for its epic coasters, including the Titan, the tallest roller coaster in Texas and one of the fastest 10 coasters in the U.S. The Bugs Bunny Boomtown is a favorite for younger park visitors and a bustling schedule of live performances ensures there's always something fun going on. Six Flags Over Texas is also known for its above-average food. Though prices are as steep as you'd expect at a big-name theme park, the food is far better than you might expect, whether you're grabbing a hot dog or sitting down for a full-service dinner.

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The Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine has established itself as a family-centric, all-inclusive escape that brings the water park right into the hotel where you're staying. And the new Grapevine location makes it easier than ever to get away with the entire family and make some incredible memories. Grapevine is located northwest of Dallas, making it an easy drive if you fly into the DFW airport. And the Great Wolf Lodge offers four separate swimming pools, multiple hot tubs and an indoor water park complete with slides, splash areas and a poolside bar and lounge, all included in the price of your room for the night. The on-site restaurant and lounge offer excellent chow, but the highlight here isn't the hotel amenities as much as the on-site water play opportunities that make parenting on vacation significantly easier.

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This isn't the biggest theme park in Texas. But it might be the most adorable. The Kemah Boardwalk feels like it's channeling some of the pier-based outdoor centers you'd find on the California coast. It is a literal boardwalk on Galveston Bay that's free to walk, with payment only being needed for tickets to go on rides or for any dining you'd like to do while you see the sights. The most iconic ride here is called the Boardwalk Bullet. It's a wooden coaster that packs a big punch within a small footprint--just one square acre. Another ride called The Beast isn't a ride at all; instead, it's a jetboat that takes you on a 25-minute jaunt out into Galveston Harbor at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour. A classic Ferris wheel, observation tower and hands-on stingray touching pool add to the excitement. For an overnight stay, the Boardwalk Inn is a compelling option located right on the boardwalk itself. Or you could book a 4-hour private trip to the Kemah Boardwalk that includes luxury transportation from Houston and dinner with a view.

Wikimedia Commons / MorgansWonderlandofTexas / CC BY-SA 4.0

This isn't your average theme park. Morgan's Wonderland is actually one of the most unique theme parks in the world, thanks to its mission to be an "ultra-accessible" park for individuals with physical disabilities and/or other special needs. There's good reason it has made it onto our list of AAA's Top Accessible Destinations. The entire park was thoughtfully designed to be accessible both economically and physically to everyone with or without special needs and the entire place was designed by parents who wanted their daughter, Morgan, to have a place where she could experience the joy of a theme park with the accessibility she needed.

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SeaWorld San Antonio is an expansive marine life park complete with animal shows, up-close-and-personal interactions, educational exhibits and performances and dazzling rides. Spend a full day (or more) getting to know the park's most famous inhabitants. Meet and greet Sesame Street characters in the flesh. And learn about penguins, dolphins, orcas and other mesmerizing park residents, most of whom were rescued from perilous situations before finding a new home in San Antonio.

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This Six Flags park packs a lot of flair into what was once a limestone quarry. You'll find a whole lot of Texas flair here, along with classic rides that have been around for a couple of decades: Scream, the drop tower visible from practically anywhere in the park and the Boomerang, a popular coaster in the center of the park. Fiesta Texas is the largest theme park in southern Texas. Because it's owned by Warner Brothers, you'll encounter many Looney Tunes references and themes during your visit. Performances throughout the day offer a respite from the thrill rides and like the Six Flags in Arlington, you'll be impressed by the quality of the food at the vendors and restaurants on site. Six Flags Fiesta Texas consistently hits the charts as one of the top Texas theme parks because it checks all the boxes, offering something for just about every guest.

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This off-the-beaten-path water park in New Braunfels, TX offers classic water park rides and attractions. At Schlitterbahn you'll find 18 water slides, a long and playful lazy river, a plethora of hot tubs, multiple childrens play areas, dark-tunnel water slides and a water coaster that's an impressive six stories high. If you're visiting South Texas, this is likely one of the best places to cool off from the heat of the summer in between exploring nearby wineries, shops and restaurants.

Join the over a million people who are AAA members and start planning your trip to Texas today. Dream up the perfect trip with our Trip Canvas research tool and use your membership to get the best discounts on hotels, rental cars and entertainment tickets.