Silver Dollar City



Theme Park:Silver Dollar City (since 1960)
Address:399 Silver Dollar City Parkway
65616 Branson
https://www.silverdollarcity.com/theme-park
Operated by:Herschend Family Entertainment


Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri, traces its roots to Marvel Cave, one of the Ozarks’ earliest tourist attractions and a place visitors can still explore on guided tours today. As more people came to see the cave, an 1880s-style Ozark village was built above it to entertain guests while they waited. That village eventually grew into Silver Dollar City and laid the foundation for what would become Herschend Family Entertainment.

The original Ozark setting still defines the park today. Traditional craftsmen, historic buildings and live entertainment share the wooded hillsides with an excellent collection of roller coasters and family rides. Time Traveler, Outlaw Run and PowderKeg are among the highlights, but there is just as much happening between the rides, from working craftsmen and street performers to shows found throughout the park.

Silver Dollar City is the kind of park where exploring what lies between the major attractions is part of the experience. The winding paths, wooded setting and countless small details make the 1880s Ozark theme feel like much more than a backdrop, giving the park an identity that has grown naturally from its unusual beginnings.

Fun Fact: The launched coaster Powder Keg used to be a water coaster called Buzzsaw Falls.

 

Reviews

If I could turn back time



 
 
 

Highlights of the Theme Park

 




 

Fire in the Hole

Dark ride with a splashy finale

 


 

Firefall

An airtime machine

 


 

Flooded Mine

An Interactive Dark Ride

 


 

Marvel Cave

A cave within a theme park

 


 

Outlaw Run

The first double inverting Wooden Coaster

 


 

Powder Keg

Just a Blast!

 



 

Time Traveler

If I could turn back time

 


 

Wildfire

A B&M with a very scenic view

 



 
 

Past Highlights of the Theme Park

 





 

Thunderation

A wild ride through the wilderness

 



Downtown Aquarium Houston



Animal Park:Downtown Aquarium Houston
(since 2003)
Address:410 Bagby St,
Houston, TX 77002
https://www.aquariumrestaurants.com
Operated by:Landry's Inc.


Downtown Aquarium Houston in Houston, Texas, combines an aquarium with a small amusement park and several restaurants. Opened in 2003, the attraction was created by transforming the historic Central Waterworks Building, which dates back to 1899. Today, it is one of Houston’s most distinctive family attractions.

In addition to a variety of freshwater and saltwater exhibits, Downtown Aquarium features several family-friendly rides. Highlights include Shark Voyage, a train ride through an underwater tunnel surrounded by sharks, as well as a Ferris wheel, carousel and other attractions for younger visitors. Restaurants, event spaces and seasonal exhibits round out the experience.

By combining marine life, family attractions and dining in a single destination, Downtown Aquarium offers an experience that differs from both a traditional aquarium and a typical amusement park.

Fun Fact: The trains of the Shark Voyage were the first C.P. Huntington by Chance Rides to be driven fully electric.

 

Reviews

The Aquarium in Houston



 
 
 

Highlight of the Animal and Amusement Park

 





 

Shark Voyage

By train through the shark tank

 



Aquatica San Antonio



Water Park:Aquatica San Antonio (since 2012)
Address:10500 Sea World Dr.
78251 San Antonio
https://aquatica.com/san-antonio
Operated by:United Parks & Resorts


Aquatica San Antonio in San Antonio, Texas, is the water park located next to SeaWorld San Antonio. Opened in 2012, the park combines large water slides, pools and family attractions with plenty of tropical landscaping, creating a welcome escape from the Texas summer heat.

The park offers a varied selection of water attractions, ranging from fast body and tube slides to more relaxed experiences. Stingray Falls is one of its signature attractions, sending riders through twists and turns before passing through an underwater grotto surrounded by stingrays and tropical fish. Other slides, a wave pool, children’s play areas and quieter sections provide plenty of options for spending a full day at the park.

Aquatica San Antonio is particularly enjoyable during the hot summer months, when the combination of water slides, shaded areas and more relaxed attractions makes it easy to spend several hours away from the rides at neighboring SeaWorld.

 

Reviews

Ihu’s Breakaway Adventure



 
 
 

Highlights of the Water Park

 




 

Ihu’s Breakaway Falls

The turbo slide tower

 


 

Stingray Falls

With the slide through the ray pool

 


 

Walhalla Wave

Great fun on the wave