Top 15 Midwest Theme Parks: A Roller Coaster-Lover's Bucket List

Whether you're chasing airtime, soaking in scenic beauty, or reliving childhood nostalgia, the Midwest is home to some of the best theme parks in the country. Here's our countdown of the top 15 must-visit parks in the region, ranked by thrills, number of coasters, visitor reviews, and all-out fun. Check out our infographic, which lays out the rankings of all 15 Midwest theme parks and read more about each park in our blog post below.

This blog post is part of our Midwest Coaster Quest, featured in our Take a Backroad Travel podcast, available on all streaming platforms. Listen to the Coaster Quest podcast playlist here:

The final rankings for the top 15 theme parks in the Midwest, calculated by number of attractions, number of roller coasters, and visitor reviews.

15. Arnolds Park Amusement Park

Location: Arnolds Park, Iowa

The Legend Roller Coaster at Arnold's Park Amusement Park. Our podcast details the stats for this flagship coaster in Arnold's Park, Iowa on Heartland Screams: Midwest Coaster Quest.

This historic park by Lake Okoboji is a treasure trove of nostalgia. The Legend roller coaster dates back to the 1920s and still thrills. With vintage charm, scenic beauty, and lakeside fun, it’s a perfect cap to any Midwest road trip.

14. Lost Island Theme Park

Location: Waterloo, Iowa

One of the newest parks on the list, Lost Island impresses with immersive theming, original lore, and unique rides like the launch coaster Matugani and dark ride Volkanu. It’s still growing, but already a standout.

Take the road trip: featured in our Heartland Screams itinerary.

13. Nickelodeon Universe

Location: Bloomington, Minnesota (inside Mall of America)

Nickelodeon Universe sign at Mall of America in Minnesota. Nickelodeon Universe Mall of America is featured on the Northwoods Knockouts episode of our Midwest Coaster Quest Part 2.

Indoor thrills meet cartoon nostalgia at this year-round park. Highlights include the intense Spongebob Squarepants Rock Bottom Plunge and the spinning Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Shell Shock. Great for families and weatherproof fun.

Take the road trip: featured in our Heartland Screams itinerary.

12. Indiana Beach

Location: Monticello, Indiana

Steel Hawg roller coaster at Indiana Beach with its famous 111-degree angle first drop! Get more stats on this ride on our podcast episode Midwest Mega Thrills: Midwest Coaster Quest Part 3!

Located on Lake Shafer, Indiana Beach offers classic lakeside amusement with quirky charm. Hoosier Hurricane and Cornball Express are the stars of the wooden coaster collection. Retro vibes meet modern fun.

11. Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park

Location: Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

Cyclops roller coaster at Mt. Olympus Theme Park, Wisconsin Dells, WI.

A unique Greek-themed park known for its wooden coaster collection, including Hades 360 with its underground tunnel. The water park is equally thrilling, and it all blends into the resort-style Dells experience.

10. Six Flags St. Louis

Location: Eureka, Missouri

The Boss roller coaster at Six Flags St, Louis, St, Louis, MO.

A solid regional park with a mix of classic rides and modern thrills. Highlights include Mr. Freeze: Reverse Blast, American Thunder, and Screamin' Eagle. The adjacent Hurricane Harbor water park is a summer bonus.

Take the road trip: featured in our Heartland Screams itinerary.

9. Silver Dollar City

Location: Branson, Missouri

Time Traveler roller coaster at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri.

This mountain-themed park is a full experience, from live shows and artisan crafts to cutting-edge coasters like Time Traveler and Outlaw Run. Silver Dollar City is as much about atmosphere as it is about thrills.

Take the road trip: featured in our Heartland Screams itinerary.

8. Valleyfair

Location: Shakopee, Minnesota

Renegade roller coaster at Valleyfair in Shakopee, Minnesota,

Often overshadowed by its sister park Cedar Point, Valleyfair is a regional favorite with a strong coaster lineup, including Renegade (a fast-paced wooden coaster) and the classic Wild Thing. It also boasts a clean layout and friendly Midwestern charm.

7. Michigan's Adventure

Location: Muskegon, Michigan

Shivering Timbers, Michigan's Adventure in Muskegon, Michigan.

This underrated park has a laid-back lakefront vibe and is home to Shivering Timbers, a massive wood coaster with relentless airtime. A great family destination, it also features a solid water park.

6. Holiday World & Splashin' Safari

Location: Santa Claus, Indiana

The Voyage and Thunderbird roller coasters at Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana,

Known for impeccable cleanliness and free soft drinks, Holiday World blends old-school charm with top-tier wooden coasters like The Voyage. Splashin' Safari is also one of the best water parks in the country.

5. Kings Island

Location: Mason, Ohio

The Beast roller coaster at Kings Island in Mason, Ohio just outside of Cincinnati.

Home to legendary wooden coaster The Beast, Kings Island offers a balanced mix of world-class thrills, immersive theming, and family-friendly zones. Orion and Diamondback deliver big airtime, and Mystic Timbers keeps wood coaster fans happy.

4. Six Flags Great America

Location: Gurnee, Illinois

X-Flight roller coaster at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois just outside of Chicago.

This park is a Six Flags staple and has something for everyone: intense B&M coasters like Raging Bull and Goliath, classic flats, family rides, and a massive water park. Theming varies, but thrills are consistent.

3. Adventureland Park

Location: Altoona, Iowa

The Monster roller coaster track at Adventureland Park in Altoona, Iowa.

A Midwest gem packed with 100+ rides and attractions, Adventureland is known for The Monster, a beyond-vertical drop coaster with a killer night ride package. Family coasters like Phoenix and nostalgic dark rides like Underground add variety.

Take the road trip: featured in our Heartland Screams itinerary.

2. Worlds of Fun

Location: Kansas City, Missouri

Mamba roller coaster at Worlds of Fun in Kansas City, Missouri.

This park combines classic charm with modern thrills. Mamba, one of the best hyper coasters in the country, leads a solid lineup that also includes the wooden terrain coaster Prowler and B&M invert Patriot. Don’t miss the adjacent water park, Oceans of Fun.

Take the road trip: featured in our Heartland Screams itinerary.

1. Cedar Point

Location: Sandusky, Ohio

Maverick launched roller coaster at Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio.

Known as the "Roller Coaster Capital of the World," Cedar Point is an absolute must for thrill-seekers. With 17 coasters, including steel giants like Millennium Force and Steel Vengeance, it sets the gold standard. Add in beach views and a classic boardwalk vibe, and you've got the full package.

Which park is your favorite?Let us know in the comments or follow along on the Take a Backroad Travel podcast and blog for road trip itineraries, park reviews, and hidden gems from across the Midwest!