America's Best Amusement Park Of 2026 So Far Offers Free Entry And Family-Friendly Fun

It turns out that the best amusement park in the United States does not have a mouse as its mascot or a rotating globe as its logo. According to the Travelers' Choice Awards from Tripadvisor, Disney's Magic Kingdom and Universal Studios Florida lost out to Knoebels Amusement Resort as the "Best of the Best" amusement and water parks in the nation. The recognition just happens to coincide with Knoebels' 100th anniversary.

Located in Elysburg, Pennsylvania, Knoebels is known as the largest free admission amusement park in the country, making its number one spot on the list even more impressive. It is one of those top U.S. attractions worth visiting at least once, especially for families. The Tripadvisor award is given to destinations with the greatest number of stellar reviews over the span of 12 months. Knoebels has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars and over 2,800 reviews, at the time of writing. With kid-centric rides, an 18-hole golf course, thrilling roller coasters, and an iconic swimming pool, the century-old theme park truly has it all.

"The accommodating staff, clean facilities, and fun attractions make for a memorable family-friendly visit," says a description of Knoebels on the Tripadvisor ranking. It also lands among Tripadvisors' Best of the Best amusement parks worldwide, coming in 18th place out of 23 destinations. (Not far behind is Dollywood Theme Park in 21st place, one of Tennessee's top attractions for first-time visitors.)

Similar to the oldest amusement park in the United States, Knoebels was not always the sprawling resort complex it is today. When it opened to the public in 1926, it was a quaint recreation area known as Knoebels Grove with a crystal pool and a loaned carousel. Over the following years, it expanded to include an arcade, skating rink, and a plane ride for kids. Knoebels was further developed into an amusement park in the 1940s, introducing additional rides, games, restaurants, campsites, and more across its 45-plus acres. Today, it offers more than 60 rides for both little ones and thrill-seekers.

Knoebels' rides continue to earn accolades today. The park's classic wooden roller coaster "Phoenix" earned the top spot on USA Today's Readers' Choice ranking of the best roller coasters in the U.S. in 2026. Citing its top speed of 45 miles per hour, coupled with the sweeping views of the surrounding landscape, the ranking says that Phoenix "proves that newer, taller, and faster aren't always better."

While the scale of the park is impressive, it's the free entry that makes Knoebels stand out. Rather than admission fees, the park charges per ride. Ride ticket books range in price from $5 to $50 — they never expire and can be shared among friends and family. Alternatively, visitors can enjoy unlimited ride access with a single day pass on weekdays and some weekends. Parking is always free at Knoebels, but other attractions, such as the golf course and crystal pool, require admission. For those traveling from out of state, the nearest major airport is Harrisburg International Airport in Middletown, Pennsylvania, 80 miles south of the theme park.