Heartland Screams Road Trip: A Midwest Coaster Quest Adventure - Theme Park Road Trip
- Take A Backroad Travel
- Jul 21
- 5 min read
Get ready to embark on an adrenaline-pumping journey through some of the Midwest’s best theme parks! The Heartland Screams Road Trip is perfect for roller coaster lovers and family fun seekers alike.
Before you embark, make sure you've downloaded Take a Backroad Travel's podcast episode "Heartland Screams - Midwest Coaster Quest Pt. 1 - Road Map Mondays" for an in-depth look at each park, featuring ride stats and facts about each park.
Your Theme Park Road Trip Begins
Here’s your detailed itinerary covering five must-visit parks, packed with thrilling rides, family attractions, and plenty of Midwest charm. We recommend spreading these five parks across this 8-day itinerary to give yourself time to rest and explore in between parks!
At-a-glance itinerary:
Map Directions for this Trip
Day 1: Lost Island Theme Park — Waterloo, Iowa
No. 14 out of 15 Top Midwest Theme Parks Ranking
3rd Highest Visitor Score of all Midwest Theme Parks
Why Visit? Start your trip at the newest gem in the Midwest coaster scene. Lost Island combines immersive themed areas with standout rides and thrilling roller coasters.
Coaster Highlights:
Matugani — An Intamin launch coaster with two inversions and a surprise hydraulic launch.
Nopuko Air Coaster — A family-friendly suspended coaster that offers smooth turns and scenic views.
Don’t Miss: The Volkanu dark ride with fire effects and the beautifully themed Tamariki Spirit Realm for kids.
Overnight: Stay overnight in Waterloo, Iowa.
Day 2: Adventureland Park — Altoona, Iowa
No. 3 out of 15 Top Midwest Theme Parks Ranking
Morning Drive: Approximate 2-hour drive from Waterloo to Altoona, Iowa.
Why Visit? Adventureland is a classic Midwest amusement park with a balanced mix of high-thrill rides and family favorites.
Coaster Highlights:
The Monster — A Gerstlauer Infinity coaster with five inversions and a beyond-vertical drop.
Phoenix — A smooth family coaster featuring two fun inversions, perfect for those new to upside-down thrills.
Dragon Slayer — An unpredictable S&S 4D Free Spin coaster offering chaotic flips.
Don’t Miss: Indoor wooden coaster Underground with spooky themed storytelling.
Overnight: Overnight stay in Altoona, Iowa.
Day 3: Travel, Rest & Explore Kansas City
Morning Drive: Approximate 3-hour drive from Altoona, IA to Kansas City, MO.
Rest & Explore Day
Suggestions:
Kansas City BBQ Tour – Hit spots like Joe’s, Q39, or Arthur Bryant’s.
Union Station & Science City
National WWI Museum or Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
Catch a Royals or Chiefs game, depending on the season
Overnight: Two-night stay in Kansas City, Missouri.
Day 4: Worlds of Fun
No. 2 out of 15 Top Midwest Theme Parks Ranking
Why Visit? This park blends thrill rides with a beautiful layout hugging the Missouri River, featuring some legendary coasters.
Coaster Highlights:
Mamba — A classic Morgan Hyper coaster with soaring hills and smooth airtime.
Prowler — A GCI wooden coaster weaving through dense forest terrain.
Patriot — A B&M inverted coaster delivering smooth loops and corkscrews.
Timber Wolf — A classic wooden coaster that has been revamped for a smoother ride.
Don’t Miss: The brand-new Zambezi Zinger and adjacent Oceans of Fun water park.
Overnight: Night two of your overnight stay in Kansas City.
Day 5: Travel, Rest & Explore Branson, Missouri
Rest & Explore Day
Morning Drive: Approximate three-and-a-half-hour drive from Kansas City, MO.
Suggestions:
Explore Branson’s entertainment strip (think mini-golf, go-karts, live shows)
Take a Table Rock Lake cruise
Catch a show at Sight and Sound Theatre
Dinner and a show at Dolly Parton's Stampede
Museums: Titanic, Hollywood Wax, WonderWorks
Aquarium at the Boardwalk
Shop at Branson Landing
Visit Marvel Cave, included with Silver Dollar City admission
Day 6: Silver Dollar City — Branson, Missouri
No. 9 out of 15 Top Midwest Theme Parks Ranking
2nd Highest Visitor Score of all Midwest Theme Parks
Why Visit? This park is a perfect blend of historic Ozark culture, live shows, crafts, and thrilling coasters with unique storytelling.
Coaster Highlights:
Outlaw Run — An RMC hybrid coaster with multiple inversions on a wooden structure.
WildFire — A steel coaster with five inversions and smooth pacing.
Thunderation — A classic mine train coaster with caves and tunnels, great for families.
Don’t Miss: Famous cinnamon bread, artisan crafts, and the magical Christmas festival if you visit in winter.
Day 7: Travel, Rest & Explore St. Louis
Morning Drive: Approximate thre-and-a-half-hour drive from Branson to St. Louis, MO.
Rest & Explore Day
Suggestions:
For laughs, stop at Uranus Fudge Factory in Eureka, Missouri
Visit the Gateway Arch National Park
Explore City Museum — part playground, part art installation, all chaos
Tour Forest Park (free zoo, art museum, and science center)
Tour the Budweiser Brewing Company
Catch a Cardinals baseball game
Grab a piece of gooey butter cake, a St. Louis tradition
Enjoy a riverboat cruise
Grab toasted ravioli on The Hill
Overnight: Two-night stay in Eureka, Missouri or St. Louis metro.
Day 8: Six Flags St. Louis — Eureka, Missouri
No. 10 out of 15 Top Midwest Theme Parks Ranking
Why Visit? Known as Missouri’s coaster capital, this park has a strong lineup of wooden and steel coasters plus a water park included with admission.
Coaster Highlights:
American Thunder — A GCI wooden coaster with relentless twists and airtime.
Mr. Freeze: Reverse Blast — A backward-launched Premier Rides coaster with a towering vertical spike.
Batman: The Ride — A classic B&M inverted coaster with tight loops and smooth transitions.
The Boss — A long, aggressive wooden coaster that runs down the Ozark hillside.
Screamin’ Eagle — A vintage wooden coaster with historic significance.
Don’t Miss: Hurricane Harbor water park and classic Six Flags treats like funnel cakes.
Overnight: Second night of stay in Eureka, Missouri or St. Louis metro.
Map Directions for this Trip:
We've mapped out this road trip on Google Maps
Planning Tips:
Overnight Stays: Most parks have nearby hotels or campgrounds. Six Flags St. Louis has an on-site hotel, perfect for splitting up the drive.
Tickets: Check each park’s website for combo tickets, especially for parks with water parks included.
Season: Summer and fall are prime times for the full experience, including festivals and water parks.
Add Travel Days: As you're mapping out your road trip, make sure to build in extra time to get to the first stop and back home from the final destination. If you’re driving a long distance, consider arriving the night before the adventure officially kicks off—booking an extra night at that first hotel can make a big difference in starting your trip refreshed and ready to roll.
Flight options:
Arrival:
Waterloo Regional Airport (American Airlines only)
Eastern Iowa Airport (71 miles away)
Departure:
St. Louis Lambert International Airport
Total Mileage: Approximately 750 miles
Estimated Total Drive Time: 12 - 14 hours with occasional stops
I hope you enjoyed this theme park road trip idea! Ready to scream and soar? Bookmark this Heartland Screams itinerary and follow along on the Take a Backroad Travel podcast’s Midwest Coaster Quest series, dropping every Monday on Road Map Mondays!
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