For Your Amusement...

Article by Eric H. at VisitingNewEngland.com
Photo of the Boulder Dash at Lake Compounce, Bristol, Conn. (courtesy of press section, Lake Compounce Web Site)

There was a time that amusement parks in New England seemed to be headed into extinction. With the 1969 closing of Pleasure Island in Wakefield, Mass., the 1985 closing Paragon Park at Nantasket Beach, in Hull Mass., and the 2000 closing of Whalom Park in Lunenberg, Mass., it looked like the ride was over for these family destinations that became local, household names.

Now, with a tough economy and people wanting to stay closer to home, the existing amusement parks have shrewdly offered affordable prices and incentives, as well as coming up with eye-catching television commercials. The Asian man enthusiastically shouting out "More Flags, More Fun, Six Flags!" is a fun, joyful television commercial you won't forget, as an example.

Six Flags New England currently offers "Everyone Pays Kids Price tickets" for $29.99, with 2009 tickets also on sale at the lowest price of the year. Lake Compounce, in Bristol, Conn., offered 2008 ticket season ticket passes for $74.95 -- that meant unlimited visits. Canobie Lake Park in Salem, N.H., has kept the admission prices reasonable for the 2008 season at $29.00 per person, under 48 inches tall and senior citizens at $20.00 ($19.00 after 5 p.m.), and kids under three-years-old free. Canobie, a personal favorite, is also offering "Spooky World" in October at $19.99 per person (with a coupon from available retailers).

Amusement parks have always been fun, so why not take advantage of the remaining limited hours that these parks offer? The parks are actually an upgrade of what we knew in the 1960s and 1970s, with better rides, water park amusements, and special events. There's still time, although limited in hours, to enjoy these amusement parks for this month and next.

Before embarking on a local trip to Six Flags New England, Lake Compounce and Canobie Lake Park, please check their Web Sites for updates on operating hours and any price changes:

Six Flags New England

Lake Compounce

Canobie Lake Park