| Free Theme Parks Feb 22nd 2012, 11:04 | No matter what theme park or amusement park you visit, you're going to have to crack open your wallet to ride a coaster or hop on a carousel. But, while most parks charge a flat, pay-one-price fee--and often a hefty one at that--to pass through its turnstiles and ride unlimited attractions, a handful offer free admission and a pay-as-you-go policy for its rides. For families on a budget, or visitors who are along for the ride but aren't all that keen to try the rides, free-admission parks can be great bargains. Besides (or instead of) open gates, some parks offer free parking and other free amenities. 
Knoebels Elysburg, Pennsylvania Knoebels is one of the few remaining free-admission parks, and one of the largest in the US. Rides are individually priced, and tickets can be purchased a la carte. Discounted ticket books are available. Knoebels also offers pay-one-price options. With its Fascination parlor, generous collection of classic spinning rides, dizzying array of colored lights, and other retro touches, Knoebels transports guests to a bygone era. It also takes special pride in its two highly acclaimed wooden coasters, Twister and Phoenix. The park offers an adjacent campground. 
©Arthur Levine 2007. Licensed to About.com Brooklyn, New York Since its inception, a single operator has never owned nor managed the landmark Coney Island amusement area. Admission to the seaside parks and famed boardwalk is still free, as is entrance to the public beach. A Nathan's Famous hot dog, however, will cost you. 
Family Kingdom, 2008. Used with permission. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina The free-admission park offers individual ride tickets as well as unlimited ride passes. The adjacent Family Kingdom Water Park requires a separate admission. Once a staple of coastal vacation spots, traditional seaside amusement parks are now an endangered piece of Americana. Family Kingdom is among a few survivors (the nearby Myrtle Beach Pavilion dispatched its last coaster train in 2006), and the white-lattice coaster, drop tower ride, and Ferris wheel that dot its kitschy skyline offer a reassuring counterpoint to the hotel towers and pounding surf of Myrtle Beach's Grand Strand. 
Waldameer Erie, Pennsylvania Admission to the traditional amusement park is free (although the adjacent Water World water park does require an entrance fee). Waldameer also offers pay-one-price options. Among its featured attractions is the highly regarded wooden coaster, Ravine Flyer II and the classic Whacky Shack dark ride. In addition to its open gate, Waldameer offers free entertainment and free parking. 
©Arthur Levine. Licensed to About.com. Santa Claus, Indiana You'll have to pay to enter Holiday World, but the value-oriented park lays on the freebies once you're in the gate, including the industry-defying offer of unlimited, free fountain drinks. Other perks: One of the few remaining privately owned and operated theme parks, Holiday World is loaded with charm, attention to detail, incredibly courteous and friendly staff members, impeccably clean grounds, and other features that corporate parks often can't match. And it offers three of the best wooden coasters on the planet. 
©Arthur Levine, 2009. Licensed to About.com. Bristol, Connecticut As with Holiday World, Lake Compounce charges an admission fee, which includes all of the rides. But it also copied Holiday World's promotion of unlimited, complimentary fountain drinks. The charming traditional park (the oldest continuously operating amusement park in the US), is known for its incredible Boulder Dash wooden coaster. Admission to Splash Harbor water park is free with admission to Lake Compounce. 7. Other Free Theme Parks 
Pacific Park. Used with permission. Other free-admission parks include:  | |
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