Illinois’ amusement parks and theme parks bring all the excitement and fun you’d ever want into one convenient place.
They’re where roller coasters rattle overhead, carousel music fills the air, and the smell of cotton candy follows you from midway to arcade. Whether it’s at one of Chicago’s lakefront locations or a small town family-owned park, our Illinois amusement parks and theme parks deliver thrills that are quick to become lifelong memories. From world-class coasters at Six Flags Great America to classic rides at Navy Pier and character-filled local parks, this is your guide to all the best amusement parks and theme parks in Illinois.
Six Flags Great America (Gurnee)
Pure thrills and amusement park fun
With 17 roller coasters and dozens of rides, Northern Illinois’ Six Flags Great America delivers big thrills and all-ages fun. You can soar with superheroes, dive into haunted coasters, or keep it classic with bumper cars and swings. In summer, cool off at the attached Hurricane Harbor water park—perfect for breaking up the action with a splash. Plan to spend at least the whole day, and maybe just a little bit longer for the fireworks.
Navy Pier (Chicago)
Not your average theme park
Navy Pier isn't your conventional amusement park, but it delivers many of the classic theme park thrills in an iconic waterfront location. The star of the show is the Centennial Wheel, with breathtaking city and lake views from 200 feet up, but there’s also the seasonal Pepsi Wave Swinger, a historic hand-painted carousel, and Amazing Chicago's Funhouse Maze. Summer evenings feature spectacular fireworks over Lake Michigan, and winter brings ice skating and light shows. All this, plus all kinds of delicious treats!
Theme parks near Chicago
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Santa’s Village Amusement & Water Park (East Dundee)
Don't let the name fool you, because you'll find more than just Christmas cheer here. Ride gentle coasters, meet friendly animals, and splash in Santa Springs during summer. Come fall, enjoy Halloween fun, and return in winter for dazzling lights and holiday magic.
Santa’s Village Amusement & Water Park (East Dundee) -
Safari Land (Villa Park)
Race go-karts, crash bumper cars, and ride a mini roller coaster, all in indoor comfort. You can bowl, win prizes the old-school way, and lose hours in the arcade. It's a great pick when the weather’s rough but the kids are ready to move and burn off some energy.
Safari Land (Villa Park) -
Odyssey Fun World (Tinley Park)
Dive into laser tag, zip around in bumper cars, or hit the arcade! In the warmer months, head outside for go-karts and mini-golf. Grab a slice between games or book a party and make a full day of it.
Odyssey Fun World (Tinley Park) -
Urban Air Adventure Park (Mokena and Crystal Lake)
If the trampolines aren’t enough, test your balance on a ropes course, scale a climbing wall, or fly across a zip line. While they're good any day, these are the kinds of places where you can really make the most of a rainy afternoon.
Urban Air Adventure Park (Mokena and Crystal Lake) -
Round 1 Bowling & Amusement
Roll a few frames, belt out karaoke, or dive into arcade games you won’t find anywhere else. Whether you’re killing time at the mall or planning a group night out, Round 1 keeps things fun, fast, and just a little bit nostalgic.
Round 1 Bowling & Amusement -
Sonny Acres Farm (West Chicago)
Pick pumpkins, ride the hay wagon, brave haunted houses, or sip cocoa under Christmas lights. This working farm turns festive every season, giving you more than enough reasons to visit year-round. The market’s also worth a stop for homemade treats.
Sonny Acres Farm (West Chicago) -
Par-King Skill Golf (Lincolnshire)
We've talked about parks where you can ride a roller coaster. Here, there's one for your golf ball to ride. Play your way through that, as well as loop-de-loops and scale models galore. It's mini-golf with flair: quirky, retro, and full of charm.
Par-King Skill Golf (Lincolnshire)
Theme parks elsewhere in Illinois
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Knight's Action Park (Springfield)
Race go-karts, take a spin on the rides, or cool off in the water park - all in one great spot. It’s easygoing, affordable, and just the kind of place families can come back to time and time again. Stick around for a movie at the drive-in and make a night of it.
Knight's Action Park (Springfield) -
Grady's Family Fun Park
Let the kids roam between go-karts, bumper boats, and arcade games. With mini-golf and plenty of shade, it’s a stress-free way to spend an afternoon. Friendly, manageable, and just made for easy family fun.
Grady's Family Fun Park
Illinois theme park and amusement park annual and seasonal events
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Spring (March - May)
Opening Weekends – Various Parks
Parks across Illinois shake off winter as April hits. Six Flags runs weekends only at first, with half the usual crowds but pretty much all the regular excitement. Staff are excited to show off their training, the paint looks fresh, and you won't face the kind of lines you might later in the season. Bonus: cooler weather means you won't melt during marathon coaster sessions.
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Summer (June - August)
Great American Nights – Six Flags Great America (Gurnee)
Some August evenings, Six Flags keeps the gates open late. Raging Bull hits different after sunset, especially with fireworks cracking overhead and DJ beats pulsing through the midway. Skip the daytime heat, show up at 4pm, and ride straight through 'til close.
Sweet Summer Nights – Santa's Village (East Dundee)
Santa trades his winter boots for flip-flops during these evening hours. Nothing fancy, just rides running later than usual, some local bands playing covers, and ice cream that somehow tastes more memorable under strings of glowing lights. Parents: you're sure to love it because the kids will wear themselves out juuuuust in time for bedtime.
Summer Fireworks – Navy Pier (Chicago)
Wednesdays and Saturdays, Navy Pier lights up the lakefront. It's really something to take a ride on the Centennial Wheel as the show starts - you'll stop at the top during the grand finale if you're lucky.
Pro Rodeo Weekend – Sonny Acres Farm (West Chicago)
For one June weekend, this farm transforms with sawdust rings, mechanical bulls, and real-life, 100% genuine cowboys. The contrast is wild - think kids eating cotton candy while watching barrel racing, and fairway games next to horse trailers. Wear boots if you've got 'em - that arena dust gets everywhere.
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Fall (September–October)
Fright Fest – Six Flags Great America (Gurnee)
Daytime? Pumpkins, cobwebs, and harmless spookiness. After 6pm? Different story. Fog machines crank up, spookily-attired actors emerge from shadows, and the chills are multiplying. The haunted houses cost extra, but the outdoor scare zones don't - plenty of screams either way.
Fall Festival – Santa's Village (East Dundee)
On weekends through late September and early October, Santa's Village undergoes a full fall makeover. Pumpkin patches, hay bales, a harvest-themed menu, and some Halloween treats as well. Perfect for getting your fall feeling without the full-blown spookiness of October.
Halloween Haunt – Sonny Acres Farm (West Chicago)
This farm doesn't mess around when October hits. Bring the little ones during daylight for pumpkin picking and kid-friendly rides; then, after dark, those same hayrides turn hair-raising. The haunted barn is full of genuine chills.
Frights Action Park – Knight's Action Park (Springfield)
The go-karts and mini-golf stay open, but with added zombies and spooky lighting.
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Winter (November–February)
Six Flags Great America (Gurnee)
It may be too cold for coasters this time of year, but the place still looks spectacular under millions of lights. Forget the thrills of the previous season - this is about sipping hot chocolate by fire pits while snow dusts the frozen carousel, and enjoying the great seasonal food. Bring hand warmers and hit the indoor shows when Jack Frost is nipping a little too much.
Light Up the Lake – Navy Pier (Chicago)
The Festival Hall transforms with light displays, an ice slide, and a festive holiday market. The Centennial Wheel still runs - heated gondolas make it the only ride where you'll actually warm up during a January visit.
Magical Christmas Drive-Thru – Santa's Village (East Dundee)
Perfect for freezing nights when the family would prefer to stay inside the car. You'll cruise past light displays while blasting your own holiday music and heater. Some weekends they hand out cookies at the entrance, others they've got elves taking photos through your window.
Water parks in Illinois
Aquatic fun is the theme
Sure, theme parks are great, but sometimes you need water slides instead of roller coasters, or lazy rivers rather than bumper cars. Illinois delivers with splash zones, wave pools, and water adventures for every age. From Hurricane Harbor's massive slides in Gurnee to indoor water parks that keep swimming possible year-round, you'll find plenty of ways to cool off across the state.