Located along the banks of Pennsylvania’s Lake Erie is one of only thirteen trolley parks left in the United States. Meaning “woods by the sea” in German, Waldameer Park is the fourth oldest park in Pennsylvania and the tenth oldest park in the nation. When you head to any amusement park, one of …
For almost 150 years, Chippewa Lake Park has occupied a place along Chippewa Lake in Ohio’s Medina County. However, after 100 years of operating, in 1978 the park closed its gates for the last time, never to open again. Now, all that remains are the ghostly remains of a one-thriving park. Several months ago I …
Note: Storyland is located on posted, private property and trespassing is strictly forbidden. Enjoy the trumpeter and statues that can be seen from the road from exactly that — the road. I’ve visited a lot of amusement parks over the years. While I love the historic value and unique rides that can be found at …
If you are a first-time visitor to Hershey it’s my guess you are probably making the trip in order to experience the town’s one-of-a-kind connection to chocolate. There are tons of fascinating things to do in the Harrisburg and Hershey area, but if it is your first time in the area the chocolate attractions are …
Nothing says summer relaxation like some quality time floating in a lazy river. While there are places in the area where you can actually float on the river, if the man made variety is more your speed, then this 1,200-foot lazy river at DelGrosso’s Amusement Park & Laguna Splash is something that you have to …
When it comes to the lost amusement parks of Western Pennsylvania, one of the ones that stands out in the minds of many longtime residents of Pittsburgh is West View Park. While I never had the chance to experience West View, as it closed in 1977 (six years before I was born), I had the …
Lakemont Park has transformed itself into a unique family entertainment complex complete with go-karts, miniature golf, and batting cages, but two things that still prominently stick out in the park are the wooden roller coasters. While the park may have gone through a transformation, the owners (thankfully!) made the decision not to just keep the …
There is something about storybook parks that has always fascinated me. Maybe it has something to do with Storyland in Schellsburg being my first love along the Lincoln Highway, or maybe because they have all but disappeared. Regardless, when I found out about Conneaut Lake Park’s Fairyland Forest I was intrigued. I saw some old …
Where do you think Pittsburgh’s first roller coaster was located? Kennywood Park? West View Park? Maybe even Luna Park? Would you be surprised if I told you it was located at the Point? When most people think of Pittsburgh’s Point at the turn of the century, they think not of an area where people would …
Around the 1900s Pennsylvania trolley parks appeared on the scene. They were from an era when trolley cars were a major mode of transportation. While it was easy for the trolley companies to attract customers during the week, but the question of how to sell tickets on the weekend was raised. This was the birth …
A few weeks ago I wrote about how I discovered that there was an old amusement park right here in the Greensburg-area. I’ve always been a fan of amusement parks and what once was, so it is a win-win when I get to research old amusement parks such as White Swan Park. White Swan amusement …
I have a special interest in amusement parks, particularly ones that no longer exist or those that feature vintage rides. From the late 19th century until the 1950s, there were almost two dozen amusement parks of varying sizes located throughout the Pittsburgh area. One of these was the Burke Glen Park in Monroeville. Located alongside …
