Santa Monica Pier

Top 20 best amusement parks in United States2026 ranking

Discover below the ranking of the best amusement parks in United States, based on travellers' reviews.

Our members' favourite amusement parks, approved by the editors

#1 Santa Monica Pier (Santa Monica) +13 recs 4.5/5

Santa Monica Pier is a historic landmark and California icon marking the official end of Route 66. It features Pacific Park, an amusement park with a solar-powered Ferris wheel, roller coasters, and games. You will also find a vintage carousel, an aquarium, shops, and restaurants. It is a lively spot for families.

#2 Walt Disney World (Orlando) +12 recs 5/5

Walt Disney World is a massive entertainment complex in Orlando, United States. Its 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, 32 hotels, and hundreds of shops cover an area roughly the size of San Francisco. It is not just an amusement park, but an immersive world of rides, grand sets, and live performances.

Designed as a unique experience, this destination pulls you into the Disney universe. You will find impressive rides, elaborate scenery, live shows, and wild animals all in one place. It is a true escape from reality built on a grand scale in the Americas.

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#3 Universal Studios Hollywood (Universal City) +11 recs 4.7/5

Universal Studios Hollywood delivers a unique mix of theme park thrills and a functioning movie studio. The famous Studio Tour takes you behind the scenes of actual film sets, while immersive areas like Super Nintendo World and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter bring movies to life. Between high-speed rides, simulators, and stunt shows, it is a full day of Hollywood action.

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#4 Universal Studios Florida (Orlando) +4 recs 5/5

Universal Studios Florida, which opened in 1990, is a 400-acre complex dedicated to film and television. Part of a trio including Volcano Bay and Islands of Adventure, it was originally built to compete with nearby Disney World. Today, it thrives on iconic franchises like Harry Potter, Transformers, and Fast and Furious.

#5 SeaWorld San Diego (San Diego) +3 recs 4/5

What started as a concept for an underwater restaurant evolved into one of the world's most famous theme parks. SeaWorld San Diego is a landmark for marine parks. Beyond its signature orca and dolphin shows, it features roller coasters, water rides, and a 4D theater. Learn about marine conservation from expert animal care specialists.

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#6 Disneyland (Anaheim) +2 recs 5/5

The original Disneyland in Anaheim is the only park designed under the personal supervision of Walt Disney. Since its televised opening in 1955, it has remained a cornerstone of the United States. Today, the park features 64 attractions across five themed lands, offering an immersive experience for the entire family.

#7 SeaWorld Orlando (Orlando) +2 recs 4/5

SeaWorld Orlando is arguably the most famous marine park in the United States. Opened in 1973, the concept expanded to include locations in San Diego and San Antonio. The stars are the massive orcas, whose shows with trainers remain captivating. Don't miss the playful dolphins, sharks in the world's longest underwater tunnel, or manatees in recovery.

#8 Navy Pier (Chicago) +2 recs 4/5

Navy Pier in Chicago, a landmark dock on Lake Michigan, is a premier destination for recreation. Opened in 1916 for shipping, it transitioned into a family entertainment hub during the 1990s.

Today, Navy Pier features the iconic Centennial Wheel, restaurants, shops, and an IMAX theater. It hosts festivals and exhibits year-round. This site offers skyline views, drawing locals and travelers alike.

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Latest reviews

Incredibly huge

This isn't a theme park, it's an entire city! If you love the Disney world, you have to go! But it's not just that, there is something for everyone: water parks, an animal park... Watch out for the pr…

31 0

Universal Studios worthy of Hollywood

With its unique geography, the park is really pretty to walk through, with an overlook of the famous Hollywood studios and attractions that are all high quality. There is a lot of 3D, but that is not…

17 0

The seaside party

Compared to the athletic Venice, Santa Monica offers a more family-friendly atmosphere. Its beautiful pier, with its boat-shaped lifeguard station, is home to a small amusement park. I recommend the F…

13 0

A family park focused on 3D

If you are in Los Angeles, spending a day at Universal Studios is only worth it if you enjoy 3D attractions and stunt shows. Thrill seekers will be disappointed, even though the Fast & Furious ride, w…

12 0

The Pacific Park amusement park

This is a totally charming spot right on the Pacific Ocean that you absolutely have to visit during a trip to Los Angeles. Plan to go at the end of the day, after catching a sunset at Venice Beach, wh…

13 0

Living a fairy tale

Spending a day or two at Disney World means forgetting about everyday life and reconnecting with your childhood, marveling at every path you take, and having fun with the family on rides suited for al…

20 0

A lovely walk with family or a significant other

Yeah, it is a bit cliché, I plead guilty, my wife and I did the combo of a walk by the lake, dinner on the patio, and sunset from the Ferris wheel. But I have to admit that we really loved this evenin…

9 0

Impossible not to be moved by the Disney magic

There is a kind of euphoria in this huge park that touches the visitors and the staff who welcome you. The sets really immerse you in the Disney worlds, and there are rides for all tastes and all ages…

17 0

So many great memories

I loved the 2 days spent there. Adults turn back into kids and the little ones are super happy. Truly great family memories.

15 0

Rankings by travellers, for travellers

Our rankings are powered by thousands of reviews from travelers like you, not the arbitrary pick of a single editor. Every positive review you publish raises the destination’s score.

1 positive review = +1 reco

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