Theme Park:	Six Flags Great America (since 1985)
	Marriott's Great America (1976 - 1984)

Address:	1 Great America Pkwy
	Gurnee, IL 60031
	https://www.sixflags.com/greatamerica

Operated by:	Six Flags

Six Flags Great America is located in Gurnee, Illinois, about 40 miles north of Chicago. The amusement park opened in 1976 as Marriott’s Great America and was developed alongside what is now California’s Great America. Both parks originally shared a similar concept, including many of the same themed areas and attractions. Much of that common heritage can still be found throughout the park today, even though Great America has changed considerably since becoming part of Six Flags in 1984.

Roller coasters make up a major part of the park’s attraction lineup. Classics such as Whizzer and Demon date back to the opening year, while the massive American Eagle has been racing around its wooden structure since 1981. They are joined by newer rides including the B&M Hyper Coaster Raging Bull, RMC’s Goliath, the Wing Coaster X-Flight, Superman: Ultimate Flight and the pneumatically launched Maxx Force. Batman: The Ride also holds an important place in roller coaster history, having opened in 1992 as B&M’s first Inverted Coaster and becoming the blueprint for numerous rides that followed.

There is plenty to discover beyond the roller coasters as well. Great America has retained an impressive collection of classic flat rides from manufacturers such as Schwarzkopf and HUSS, while the Columbia Carousel and Sky Trek Tower are reminders of the park’s early years. Right next door is Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago, a large water park with numerous water slides, a wave pool and other aquatic attractions. During the summer, the two parks can easily be combined for a full day of rides, roller coasters and water attractions.

Reviews

A Great Day at Great America