AMUSEMENT PARKS >
MAINE
AQUABOGGAN
Address: Rte 1, Saco, ME
Phone: 207.282.3112
Email: info@aquabogganwaterpark.com
The many attractions at this water park include the Totally Tubular ride, which sends passengers through winding tunnels before spitting them out, and the Stealth 5, a 45-foot-tall hydro halfpipe. For those who just want to swim, there’s a large wave pool and an Olympic-size swimming pool. Or, if you want to stay dry, try the go-carts, skid cars, or pedal-boats. The Splash 'N' Play area caters to toddlers. Open from June 27 through Labor Day, from 10 am to 6 pm daily, weather permitting. Admission $20, $16 for visitors under four feet tall, $10 for seniors, $6 for use of toddler areas only. On Mondays, general admission is $12 all day.
B.I.G. Adventure Center
Address: 12 North Road, Bethel ME
Phone: (207) 824-0929
Check out the rock climbing, high-tech laser tag, bowling, and mini-golf facilities. When it's time to cool off, discover the Tempest Lagoon Water Park with its waterslides and pools. Includes daily specials on certain activities. Open Mon through Sat from 11 am to 10 pm, and on Sun until 7 pm. Prices vary by activity. Day passes offered. Check Web site for more details.
Blackbeard's USA
Address: 339 Odlin Rd., Bangor ME
Phone: (207) 945-0233.
Email: info@blackbeardusa.com
This family fun park is equipped with batting cages, go-carts, 36 holes of adventure golf, radio-controlled boats, and an arcade. The amusements run Mon. through Sat. from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and on Sun. until 8 p.m. Prices vary depending on activity.
FUNTOWN SPLASHTOWN USA
Address: Rte 1, Saco, ME
Phone: 207.284.5139
Email: info@funtownusa.com
This is an amusement park of relatively recent vintage that prides itself on cleanliness. Attractions include 28 rides, such as recently opened The Wild Mouse, and 13 slides, an arcade, mini golf, go-carts, and a family play area. The Excalibur, one of the few wooden roller coasters in northern New England, is also the tallest and largest ever in the state, sprawling across 4.5 acres. Food is abundant, with American, Mexican, and seafood stands, plus cotton candy, candy apples, fried dough, ice cream, and shaved ice. Both Funtown and Splashtown are open through Labor Day, though hours of operation for each park differ, so check online. Funtown ride pass $27, $19 for seniors and those under 48 inches tall. Splashtown slide pass $22, $18 for seniors and those under 48 inches tall. Combination pass $35, $26 for seniors and those under 48 inches tall.
PALACE PLAYLAND
Address: Rte 5 (Exit 36 off I-95), Old Orchard Beach, ME
Phone: 207.934.2001
Email: fun@palaceplayland.com
Located near the shore of the Atlantic, Palace Playland is a four-acre amusement park featuring more than 25 rides and attractions. Check out the 40-foot Euro Slide, the Galaxi and Orient Express roller coasters, an “adult thrill ride” called Crazy Dance, Skee-Ball, the arcade, and the Ferris wheel. Fireworks display every Thurs at 9:45 pm. Open from June 21 through Sept 1. Arcade opens at 10 am. Rides open at noon on weekdays and 11 am on weekends. Closing times vary according to weather and attendance. Free admission. Single-ride tickets $1.15 each; 20-ticket books $21; 50-ticket books $49. Unlimited pass $27.95, kiddie pass $20.95. Two-day unlimited pass $39.95, $25.95 for kids. Season pass $98.
Seacoast Fun Park Trenton/Bar Harbor
Address: Rte. 3, Trenton ME
Phone: (207) 667-3573
Windham's sister park in the Acadia region, minutes away from both Ellsworth and Bar Harbor, offers similar levels of entertainment in different ways. It too has the slingshot trampoline, go-karts, miniature golf, arcade, and snack bar, but add to that Maine's only indoor paintball arena, Pursuit Park Paintball, and you have hours of messy fun on your hands. Cool off afterwards at the waterslides and pool. Paintball costs $15, the waterslides are $10 for an all-day pass, and all-day combo passes are available at various prices. Open Fri and Sat from 10 am to 9 pm, Mon through Thurs and Sun from 10 am to 8 pm.
Seacoast Fun Park Windham
Address: Rte. 302, North Windham ME
Phone: (207) 892.5952
There's plenty to do once the snow melts at this three-season outdoor recreation amusement park. Learn to fly on Seacoast's Skymax, described as 100 feet of free-fall fun, or take the less adventurous route on the slingshot trampoline. The park also offers bumper boats, go-karts, a driving range, miniature golf, an arcade, and snack bar. Value passes are available that cover different combinations of amusements. One-go prices run between $6 and $8 for bumper boats, go-karts, trampoline, slingshot, and golf, while the Skymax will cost you $15. Open Sun to Thurs from 10am to 10pm, and Fri and Sat from 10am to 11pm.
YORK'S WILD KINGDOM
Address: Rte 1, York Beach, ME
Phone: 207.363.4911
Email: ykingdom@aol.com
York's Wild Kingdom is the largest amusement park/zoo in the York Beach area. The zoo houses elephants, lions, bears, llamas, and Maine's only White Bengal tiger. The amusement park has an arcade, bumper cars, a Ferris wheel, a haunted house, pedal-boats, and miniature golf. York Beach is within walking distance. The zoo is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm, from June 28 through Labor Day. The amusement park is open daily from noon to 9:30 pm from June 27 through Aug 30. For hours on other dates, check schedule online. Zoo-and-ride package $19.50, $14.50 for children four through 10, $4.50 for children three and younger. Zoo-only $14.50, $9, $1. Go-cart and elephant or pony rides sold separately.
