Opened in 1846, Lake Compounce in Bristol, Connecticut is the oldest, continuously operating amusement park in the U.S. It is filled with charm and imparts a sense of its grand past even as it offers modern-day thrills such as the superb Boulder Dash wooden coaster. A new book, titled simply "Lake Compounce," tells the 162-year story of the park mostly through a vast array of photographs. Some of the pictures come from the personal collections of the two families that founded the park. Like many parks that operated during the big band era, some of the biggest performers of the day played at Lake Compounce's ballroom, and the book includes photos of the stars and the huge crowds that came to see them. The book also showcases the park's circa-1927 Wildcat roller coaster and many of its other rides as well as its namesake lake. "Lake Compounce" is available at the park and online. Lake Compounce is now open for the season.

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One of the country's premier parks for families with young children, Idlewild is loaded with charm along with the genuine nostalgia of an attraction that dates back to 1878. Olde Idlewild, one of seven areas at the park, features classic attractions such as a carousel from the 1920s, a 1947 Caterpillar--one of only two remaining that still use a canopy, and the circa-1938 Rollo Coaster, a wooden coaster. It also offers a trolley ride to Mister Rogers' Neighborhood Land of Make Believe where kids can consort with King Friday the XIII and the gang. Read more about Idlewild and SoakZone, the water park that is included with admission.

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