Information
Landmark: Waldameer Park & Water WorldCity: Erie
Country: USA Pennsylvania
Continent: North America
Waldameer Park & Water World, Erie, USA Pennsylvania, North America
Overview
Waldameer Park & Water World, a beloved Erie landmark with decades of history, sits at the edge of Presque Isle State Park, where the smell of funnel cakes drifts through the summer air.You can spend the whole day with the family enjoying old favorites and thrilling new rides, splashing through water attractions, watching live shows, and sharing lunch at shaded picnic tables.Founded in 1896, it’s among the oldest amusement parks still running in the country, with the same family keeping the gates open year after year.You’ll find it at 220 Peninsula Drive, Erie, PA 16505, right by the gates of Presque Isle State Park, where a day can slip from hiking shaded trails to chasing the rush of roller coasters.For more than 125 years, the park has expanded and updated, yet it still holds onto its nostalgic charm, where the creak of an old wooden coaster meets the thrill of cutting-edge rides.Amusement Park Attractions – Ravine Flyer II: This flagship ride blends wooden charm with steel speed, and many thrill-seekers rank it among the nation’s best.Since opening in 2008, it’s sent riders plunging 120 feet, hitting 60 mph as they soar over a ravine and rumble above a busy road, a rush you feel in your chest.Amusement Today named it Best New Ride of 2008, a title it won with the roar of steel and the rush of wind in your face.Comet, a classic wooden roller coaster that’s been thrilling riders since 1951, rattles along its track with the warm scent of fresh popcorn in the air, delivering mid-century amusement park charm that wins over families and die-hard coaster fans alike.Steel Dragon, a steel coaster that’s been thrilling riders since 2004, whirls its cars freely along the track, turning every drop and curve into a rush of unpredictable excitement.Whirlwind, launched in 2020, spins riders through sharp twists and sudden turns, delivering a fast, exhilarating rush that makes the wind whistle past your ears.Time Twister opened in 2025, taking the place of the old Spider ride, and sends riders swinging and spinning-fast enough to make your stomach flip, but easy enough for just about any age to enjoy.You’ll also find classic carnival rides like the Tilt-A-Whirl, the Paratrooper, bumper cars that jolt and swerve, and Ali Baba-a flying carpet that sweeps you up six stories into the air.At Water World Attractions, the Giant Wave Pool ranks among the biggest on the East Coast, holding up to 1,000 swimmers as rolling, salt-scented waves crash and swirl for pure fun and easy lounging.Rocket Blast races riders uphill with powerful water jets, shooting them almost 70 feet along the slick, twisting slide for a fast, one‑of‑a‑kind thrill.Rally Racer is a six-lane mat slide where friends launch themselves side by side, streaking down bright, twisting lanes in a fast, head-to-head dash for victory.Battle of Lake Erie is a sprawling, multi-level splash zone with more than 100 water features-seven twisting slides, playful fountains, and a roaring 400-gallon bucket that crashes down in a soaking wave.safeCannon Bowl: a closed-in, bowl-shaped slide where riders spin in wide circles before shooting out into the splash pool with a splash that echoes off the walls.Big Rigs is a delightful ride where kids take the wheel of their own mini semi-trucks, rumbling along a curving track that slips through cool tunnels and bright flower gardens, all in a safe, hands‑on adventure made for young explorers.Kiddie Rides feature plenty of smaller attractions just for kids, from slow-spinning carousels with painted horses to tiny trains that whistle softly as they circle the track.Interactive play areas invite kids to climb, explore, and laugh through age‑appropriate games and colorful structures.At the Showtime Theater, you can catch lively musical performances three times a day-your ticket already covers them.You can catch these free shows with the whole family-fun, upbeat, and often built around favorite characters or festive holiday scenes.Picnic areas offer both shaded shelters and open-air tables, so families can unpack their own sandwiches or grab something hot from the onsite vendors.Food and Games: You’ll find taco stands sizzling by the rides, snack bars tucked near shady benches, and midway games lined up along the paths-plenty of ways to eat well and have fun.Admission and parking are free, so you can stroll right into the amusement park without spending a dime.To enjoy the rides or splash through the water attractions, you’ll need ride tickets or an all‑day wristband.You’ll find plenty of free parking right here, with rows of spaces waiting just outside the entrance.They’re usually open from spring to early fall, with weekends still running during the quieter shoulder months when the air turns crisp.Water World usually kicks off the season in late May, when the air smells like sunscreen, and wraps up by early September.You can choose from single ride tickets, wristbands for rides or water attractions, or a combo pass that covers it all.You might get a discount if you’re buying for a group, grabbing a season pass, or ordering online-like saving a few dollars with just a click.Waldameer Park & Water World blends old-school amusement park charm-think wooden coasters and bright carousel lights-with heart-pounding modern rides, all alongside a sprawling water park packed with slides and wave pools.It draws everyone in-from toddlers giggling on gentle kiddie rides to adrenaline junkies lining up for the roaring Ravine Flyer II roller coaster.Sitting just minutes from Presque Isle State Park, it’s an easy stop for anyone who wants to pair a morning of sandy trails and lake breezes with an afternoon of family fun.With its deep roots, family ownership, and strong community ties, the park has become a beloved part of Erie life-and a big draw for visitors who come to hear the carousel’s old wooden horses creak.
