So, what does a country music legend, a ghost town, a glass-bottom boat and  a ride named after the rock group, Led Zeppelin, all have in common? Well, they all have something to do with the different amusement parks, theme parks and waterparks found in the South.

Read on to find out more…

Alabama is home to Alabama Adventure (formerly Visionland) in Bessemer. Here you’ll find such thrill rides like Rampage, said to be one of the largest and fastest wood roller coasters in the U.S. There is also Zoomerang, a triple-loop coaster. The little ones can have fun Adventure Express. Cool off at Splash Beach that includes the heart-racing Splashdown, a 50-foot plunge in a enclosed tube.

If the beaches along Alabama’s Gulf Coast aren’t enough, you can always head over to Waterville U.S.A. in Gulf Shores for a good soaking.

Aside from Six Flags Over Georgia, Atlanta, or I should say, the metro-Atlanta area is home to American Adventures (formerly owned by Six Flags). This is a great park to introduce youngsters to. There is a tea cup ride, bumper cars and a super slide.

In Valdosta, you’ll find Wild Adventures. Easily accessible off I-75, the park includes the  twisted Hangman, the steep Cheetah and the heart-stopping Rattler. There’s also plenty of animals to discover and a waterpark.

Perhaps Tennessee is best know for Dollywood (remember at the beginning of my post, I mentioned a country music legend. Yep, it’s that Dolly, as in Dolly Parton) located in Pigeon Forge. This is a true theme park. There’s rides, food, shops and entertainment. Oh, yes there’s a waterpark too. Now if it’s thrill rides you are after, definitely ride Thunderhead Gap (roller coaster) that has a gasping 100-foot drop. Want more? Well, there’s the Mystery Mine steel coaster and the Tennessee Tornado. Don’t worry, there are milder rides as well.

Lake Winnepesaukah (Lake Winnie) in Chattanooga has the Cannon Ball roller coaster and wet Pipeline Plunge. There’s also a handful of family rides and rides for the little ones.

If you are a wooden roller coaster fan, then you’ll love the Kentucky Rumbler at Beech Bend Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky. There’s the Shock Drop, which is exactly that, a free-fall. There’s also a waterpark with slides and a pool.

Hard Rock Park in Myrtle Beach, S.C., is the world’s first rock ‘n roll theme park. Yes, you read that right, the world’s first one located in the South. Awesome, isn’t it? There are over 50 rides for all ages. Recall that Led Zeppelin teaser earlier? Well, that is one of the park’s signature rides. Now, I’m not going to give too much away. It’s one of those that you have to ride. But I will say this: it has six inversions and goes over water.

While you’re enjoying yourself in Myrtle Beach, you’ll also find the Pavilion Nostalgia Park at Broadway on the Beach. If you’ve ever visited the original Pavilion, you’ll be happy to know that a few of the original rides made it over to this amusement park, including the Herschell-Spillman Carousel.

Family Kingdom, also in Myrtle Beach, is home to the state’s largest Ferris wheel. There’s wooden roller coaster too. Don’t miss the waterpark across the street, either.

Perhaps the pinnacle of Carowinds (near Charlotte) is Thunder Road, a twin-racing roller coaster that will have you screaming not only in South Carolina, but in North Carolina as well. Speaking of screaming, how can you pass up something called the “Scream Weaver?” Wait, don’t answer that. Other tamer rides include a water rapids adventure and Scobby-Doo’s Haunted Mansion.

Getting to Ghost Town in the Sky in Maggie Valley, N.C., is half the the fun. Located atop a mountain, you find rides, shows and more. For a big thrill that you won’t get anywhere else, be sure to ride Geronimo. Keep an eye on this amusement park because it’s introducing some new rides.

Santa is watching you year around, especially at Santa Land in Cherokee. Here you can ride the Rudicoaster or enjoy a trip on Santa’s Express Train among other rides. Don’t miss Zoo Land where you can feed Rudolph and a few of his other “wild” friends.

Camden Park in Huntington, W.Va., has the Big Dipper and the Little Dipper roller coaster (and there is nothing wrong with riding the Little Dipper) as well as a carousel, a haunted house and more. For the little park visitors, there’s Kiddie Land with nine rides especially for them.

Aside from Busch Gardens Europe, Virginia is also home to Dinosaur Land in White Post. See large replicas of these creatures that once roamed the earth.

If you are a roller coaster fanatic, then you’ll love Kings Dominion in Doswell. The park is home to 13 (yes, 13) of those scream machines. There is also a number of family rides and WaterWorks, a waterpark.

What is it about the ocean and a Ferris wheel or a roller coaster or a carousel? Some things just seem to go hand in hand. You can’t beat boardwalk amusement parks and you’ll find Trimpers Rides in Ocean City, Maryland. 

Wait a minute, did I forget Florida? Nah, I was just saving it for last. So you think you know every amusement park, theme park and waterpark there is in the Sunshine State - think again. I guarantee that there’s one on the list that’s new to you.

Sam’s Fun City is Pensacola has  an amusement park (Fun City) and a water park (Surf City). In Fun City, you find all of the typical rides like a carousel, Ferris wheel and Tilt-A-Whirl. There is also a rather large go-kart track as well. Surf City includes slides, slides and more slides as well as pools.

Shipwreck Island in Panama City Beach perhaps has the best lazy river around. They also have a great enclosed water slide, called Tree Top Drop. You can figure out why it’s called that. Whether you’re looking for thrills or just to get soaked, you’ll find it here. There’s also the Ocean Motion pool, and if anyone out there remembers the age-old Miracle Strip/Shipwreck Island jingle from the commercial, drop me a line.

Okay, here’s the last teaser - glass-bottom boats (in Florida) can only mean one place - Silver Springs in Ocala. Aside from the rides (have to do the Lighthouse Ride), you can see the wildlife exhibits and tour the botanical gardens.

Cypress Gardens and their water-ski shows  are still entertaining audiences these days. Located in Winter Haven, the park features all type of rides including two wooden coasters, the Triple Hurricane (great name for a Florida ride, huh?) and the Starline Coaster. Don’t miss the Tilt-a-Whirl or the Bumper Cars either.

The mermaids aren’t the only ones who can enjoy the water at Weeki Watchee. There’s Buccaneer Bay, a spring-feed waterpark. Here you can enjoy a lazy river, the beaches and water rides.

Did you know that Boomers! in Dania is home to the largest wooden roller coaster in Florida? The amusement park also has four fun family rides that includes the Florida Frog Hopper. There’s also bumper boats and go-karts.

Photo credits: (upper left, first page) Zoomerang-W, flickr, creative commons by argusfoto; (middle left, first page) Hang Man, flickr, creative commons by Trusted Tours Travel: (upper right, first page) Mystery Mine, Dollywood 08 119, flickr, creative commons by C.E. Beaver; (lower left, first page) Carowinds April 2008 030, flickr, creative commons by C.E. Beaver; (mid left, second page) Anaconda, flickr, creative commons by bigwoodie; (lower left, second page) Glass Bottom Boat at Silver Springs, flickr, creative commons by 41Dodge; (lower right, second page) Cypress Garden Waterskiers, flickr, Jim Moore

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