Lakemont Park

Altoona, Pennsylvania

800-434-8006

On weekdays, Lakemont Park offers pay-one-price all-day passes that include admission to both Lakemont park and The Island Waterpark as well as access to most of the rides (Leap the Dips coaster, go-karts, and mini golf are extra.)On Saturdays, Sundays, and special holidays, Lakemont Park offers free admission along with the option to purchase pay-one-price all-day passes or individual tickets. The park offers reduced pay-one-price passes after 5 p.m. on weekends. Group rates and season passes are available.

The actual address is 700 Park Avenue, Altoona, PA.

From Pittsburgh: I-376E. Merge onto US-22E toward Murrysville. Merge onto I-99N/US-220N toward Altoona. Take Exit 32, Frankstown Rd. and stay straight onto Park Ave to park.

From Harrisburg: I-76W/Penn. Turnpike towards Pittsburgh. Take Exit 146 to US-220. Merge onto I-99N/US-220N toward Altoona. Take Exit 32, Frankstown Rd. and stay straight onto Park Ave to park.

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Leap the Dips, a side friction wooden coaster, is the world's oldest still-operating roller coaster.

Lakemont Park traces its history back to 1894. It is one of the few remaining trolley parks in the U.S. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, electric trolley companies often built amusements at the end of their lines to generate additional revenue.

Unlike other trolley parks, such as Kennywood and Dorney Park, Lakemont Park has remained small and lacks flashy coasters and other high-profile thrill rides. It does, however, offer Leap the Dips, a classic wooden coaster that first opened at Lakemont in 1902 and is the world's oldest still-operating coaster. The poky coaster only drops nine feet and lasts one minute, but it is a piece of living history (and is designated as a National Historic Landmark.

Other rides include the circa-1960 Skyliner, an out-and-back woodie, as well as a modest assortment of spinning rides such as a Tilt-a-Whirl, carousel, and Scrambler. The park also offers kiddie rides, go-karts, and mini-golf. Don't forget your bathing suit. The onsite The Island Waterpark is included with admission.