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Knoebels

By , About.com Guide

Knoebels

Knoebels features two of the world's finest wood coasters.

Knoebels

Overview:

With its Fascination parlor, generous collection of classic spinning rides, dizzying array of colored lights, and other retro touches, Knoebels transports guests to a bygone era. To add to its status as a classic amusement park, Knoebel's is one of the few remaining free-admission, pay-per-ride parks. It's also family-owned and -operated, which is a rarity these days as well. In fact, the Knoebel family has been running the property since 1926 and its personal touch and pride is evident throughout the park.

Knoebels takes special pride in its two wooden coasters, Twister and Phoenix. Both of the rides were resurrected from other parks, and both are adored by coaster fans. The Knoebels folks like to tackle projects in-house and designed and built the Haunted Mansion, a dark ride that opened to great acclaim in 1973. The park also began tackling the building of Flying Turns, a bobsled-style coaster that uses a wooden trough, in 2006. While the project is taking many years to complete, coaster fans eagerly await Knoebels ode to the 1930s-era ride.

Knoebels does not offer a full-fledged water park, but it does include a couple of water slides and a pool as well a watery activity area for younger kids. The park gets high marks for its food, which includes a sit-down, full-service restaurant. Located deep in the Pennsylvania woods, Knoebels is well worth the ride.

Location:

Elysburg, Pennsylvania

Phone:

800-487-4386

Admission Policy:

Knoebels is one of the few remaining free-admission parks. Rides are individually priced and tickets can be purchased a la carte. Discounted ticket books are available. Knoebels also offers pay-one-price options. Discounted prices are available for children (under 48 inches) and for arrival after 5 p.m. Group rates are available.

Directions:

The physical address is 391 Knoebels Blvd.

From I-80 West: Bloomsburg Exit 232 to Buckhorn, PA 42 south to Catawissa. Cross bridge and take PA 487 south for 6 miles to park.

From I-80 East: Danville Exit 224, to PA 54 E thru Danville. Across the river, PA 54 turns left to Elysburg. Left on PA 487 N at the light to park.

From I-81 South: Near Hazleton, take I-80 and I-81 junction. Follow I-80 West directions above.

From I-81 North: Minersville Exit 116. Left onto 901 west to PA 54 west. Right on PA 487 north at the light to park.

New at the Park:

New for 2012
Flying Turns
The Flying Turns will re-create the bobsled-like wooden coasters that were popular decades ago. The path to opening the ride has taken a lot of, um, turns. The delayed coaster was supposed to have opened many seasons ago (and has been duly noted in my Coaster Ride Guide every year). 2012 may finally be the year that the ride will open; then again, maybe not.

Black Diamond
A former Jersey shore steel family coaster, Knoebels will repurpose the ride into an indoor/outdoor coaster that will feature a mining theme.

Featured Attractions:

  • Two highly regarded wooden coasters, Phoenix and Twister.
  • The beloved Haunted Mansion, a retro dark ride that owes more to classic amusement parks than to that other Haunted Mansion at the Disney parks.
  • Lots of classic spinning rides.
  • A scenic skyride up the mountain.

Hotel Info:

Knoebels operates its own onsite campground.

Get rates for nearby accommodations:
Compare rates for Knoebels-area hotels at About.com's booking partner, Kayak.

Official Web Site:

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