Texas Theme Parks

It's a big state. With big everything. So it should come as no surprise that Texas has plenty of parks with lots of big coasters. Among the biggest of the parks is Six Flags Over Texas, the original Six Flags park. Among its claims to fame is The Texas Giant (see what I mean about big?), a legendary coaster that got a makeover in 2011 and catapulted back into a beloved ride. Six Flags Fiesta Texas, which offers lots of music and shows, is quite different from most of the other parks in the Six Flags chain. Its neighbor, SeaWorld San Antonio, is another standout among Texas parks and is especially noted for its Aquatica water park.

Do you have a favorite theme park in Texas? Have you had a memorable experience? Write a review.

Parks are arranged alphabetically.

Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier
Galveston
Small seaside park with a coaster, thrill rides, family rides, and kiddie rides.

Joyland
Lubbock
(806) 763-2719
Medium-sized, traditional park with a small Galaxi steel coaster, a Mad Mouse coaster, a log flume, and a couple of "dry" wet rides (no bathing suits required).

Kemah Boardwalk
Kemah, TX
877-AT-KEMAH
An entertainment, amusement, shopping, and restaurant complex. The rides include the Boardwalk Bullet wood coaster.

Kiddie Acres
Austin
(512) 255-4131
Small park with a few kiddy rides (well, duh!) and miniature golf.

Kiddie Park
San Antonio
(210) 824-43561
Another small park with a few kiddie rides. Open since 1925, it's billed as America's oldest children's amusement park. Features a classic antique carousel.

Morgan's Wonderland
San Antonio
210-637-3434
A unique park designed specifically for children and adults with special needs, their family members, caregivers, and friends. Reservations are required.

Sandy Lake
Dallas
(972) 242-7449
Traditional picnic grove amusement park with a couple dozen rides, including bumper cars, Tilt-A-Whirl, Scrambler, and a classic Rock-O-Plane.

SeaWorld San Antonio
San Antonio
The park offers marine life shows and exhibits along with rides and a water park.
Affiliated water park: Aquatica at SeaWorld San Antonio

Six Flags Astroworld
Houston
The park closed at the end of the 2005 season.

Six Flags Fiesta Texas
San Antonio
Major theme park, known as much for its stage shows as its rides.
Affiliated water park: White Water Bay

Six Flags Over Texas
Arlington (near Dallas)
Major theme park. The original Six Flags park.

Western Playland
El Paso
Medium-sized amusement park with a small roller coaster, kiddie rides, some thrill rides and a few water rides.

Wonderland Park
Amarillo
(800) 383-4712
Classic amusement park with three major coasters, a slew of innovative water rides, and the Fantastic Journey dark ride.

Zero Gravity
Dallas
Extreme thrill ride park