Day Tripping: Knoebels Amusement Resort & the Top 15 Reasons to Love It

Growing up in Central Pennsylvania, a trip to Knoebels Grove (as it was then known) was a must-do family event every summer. Back then, my family lived a mere 40-minute jaunt away (though as a child it seemed like an eternity). But now, over 30 years later and with a family of my own, I’m always excited to return to a place that holds warm childhood memories for me—and looking forward to creating new ones with my kids. The trip now takes over 2.5 hours (and that’s with no traffic or construction) but it’s well worth the wait—no matter how many times I might hear, “Mommy, are we there yet?”

Nestled within a picturesque wooded valley in the heart of Pennsylvania is a 200+ acre stretch of land on which Knoebels sits. This spot has been drawing leisure-seekers since the early 1920s when it served as a popular picnic destination, due in part to the location’s creek-fed swimming hole. Sundays would mean scores of visitors headed to the valley, many riding in on horse-drawn hayride wagons. It was around that time when Henry Knoebel, a local farmer, had the idea to sell drinks, snacks and ice cream to the hungry visitors. As the spot began to draw larger crowds, Knoebel’s vision for the land and its use grew as well. In 1926, he added a restaurant, a carousel, and a few simple games—and in that year, Knoebels Grove became Knoebels Amusement Park—and the rest is history.

Today, Knoebels (pronounced kuh-NO-bel) is still family-owned and -operated and recognized as America’s largest free admission park—an honor it has held for its entire 87 years of operation. The park itself sits on a beautiful stretch of land and features over 60 rides, a number of which have been featured on popular TV shows, others which have won awards from notable industry organizations.

I recently took my family on the 2.5 hour trek to the now-named Knoebels Amusement Resort. Amazingly, not much has changed at Knoebels in the 3+ decades since I’ve frequented the park. My guess is the park’s nostalgic atmosphere and traditional qualities are precisely what makes Knoebels so special to so many. In a day and age when both kids and grownups alike are clamoring for the latest gadget, it’s refreshing to know that there is still a place you can go where the amusement isn’t simply something you hold in your hand. Every time I visit the park, it seems truly untouched by time. If you’ve been to Knoebels, you know what I mean. If you haven’t been there, you should.

Before I go on, I must first admit that I share details of this beloved amusement park somewhat hesitantly. A friend and longtime visitor of the park encouraged me to miss my deadline for this article—begging me not to give away our secret. With this in mind, I will share only some of reasons why I think Knoebels is one of Pennsylvania’s best-kept secrets. Perhaps something here will pique your interest, prompting you to make the trek to see what you’ve been missing all these years.

A quick search of “Knoebels Amusement Park” produces dozens of reviews. Here a few comments that I think sum it up best:

  • Knoebels uses an old-fashioned idea. Don’t worry about squeezing people for a ton of money. Make them happy and they’ll return.
  • Trust what others have said about Knoebels – its friendly, clean, family oriented and inexpensive. All that and it’s fun too!
  • This is a park that refuses to be overlooked. What it lacks in flash other parks have, it more than makes up for with charm and pure fun.

I could go on forever about the things I think make Knoebels most appealing. But, for the sake of brevity (and to leave some things to the imagination) I’ll detail my top picks below.

Top 15 Reasons to Love Knoebels:

1. It’s amazingly affordable

Free admission, free parking, free entertainment and free use of the picnic facilities. To ride the rides, you can purchase a “pay-one-price” plan or buy individual ride tickets that are flexible and never expire. (Oh, and for all you smart-phone users, Knoebels offers free Wi-Fi throughout the park!)

2. Scenic mountain setting and retro vibe

Even if you aren’t big on amusement park rides, you’re bound to enjoy strolling through the grounds and taking in both the natural beauty and nostalgic nods around every corner. There’s truly something for everyone. The wooden walking covered bridges cross the Roaring Creek that winds through Knoebels. The park’s use of wood for everything from bridges to tables, picnic and park benches, and everything else points to the strong influence that the family’s neighboring lumber business has had on the amusement park. The wood features throughout the park add to the rustic ambiance and blend nicely with the natural wooded surroundings.

3. Family (and pooch!) friendly

Knoebels makes it easy to take your entire family. Pets are welcome at the park. From accessible and convenient eating areas and a wide range of dining options, it’s easy for any family to spend an entire day at the park. (A word of warning: the bathrooms are of the “retro” variety, but are kept clean and can be found easily. I certainly wouldn’t rate my experience on the bathroom conditions, but let’s just say that there’s “room for improvement” in that department.)

4. Train rides

There are two train rides at Knoebels: Old Smokey, a mini coal-powered steam locomotive that takes riders through a small section of the park, and Pioneer, a gasoline-powered train that takes riders on a scenic tour of the park and into a wooded area. You’ll feel like a kid again aboard one of these pint-sized choo-choos.

5. Camping

Whether you opt to for tent-style camping or to stay at one of the on-site cabins (built by Knoebels using lumber from the family-owned mill), camping is beautiful in the wooded setting. Cabins are rustic, simple and clean, providing an affordable option to spending the night if you’d like to enjoy the park for longer than a day.

6. Bumper Cars

The park’s infamous Lusse Auto Scooters (aka bumper cars for all of you non-Knoebels folk out there) are not to be missed. With their floor buffer motors and their sheer size, crashing into other cars at 5 mph is a mix of both trepidation and exhilaration as riders gladly steer headlong into one another old-school-style. While you’re there, don’t forget to say hello to “Bumper Car Jack,” the ride’s operator.

7. Carousels

Knoebels has two carousels: one small merry-go-round in the children’s Kiddieland section of the park (circa 1912), and the Grand Carousel (circa 1913) featuring 63 hand-carved horses and 3 chariots – it is one of the park’s many majestic masterpiece rides. The Knoebels Grand Carousel is one of the largest carousels in the world, but more notably, it is one of the few remaining with a working ring dispenser. Passengers on the outer row of horses are able to reach out and grab steel rings as they pass. Any passenger who grabs the brass ring may exchange their ring for the cost of the ride (in tickets), making the ride free. For the 2013 season, The Grand Carousel turned 100 years old at the park, making it the second-oldest ride in the park. Countless memories have been made as riders young and old reach for a piece of history and grab a hold of one of the carousel’s brass rings. (It’s truly a rite of passage for any growing boy or girl to finally be tall enough to reach and grab a ring. I remember the year I finally snagged one!)

8. Yummy food

You name it, they probably have it. Whether you have a hankering for something sweet, something savory, or something to quench your thirst, Knoebels has plenty of options for diners of every shape and size. Knoebels offers both counter-style grab-and-go options as well as sit-down restaurants throughout the park, and they’ve won multiple awards for their food selections. Food choices range from the classic funnel cakes and fresh-cut fries to specialty stops that offer items like pierogies and bison burgers. The park even offers novelty food items like pickle on a stick and caramel apple chips. Whatever your fancy, I’ll bet you can’t have just one. And why should you?

9. Wooden roller coasters

The Phoenix was the first ever large-scale wooden roller coaster relocation, and has consistently ranked in the top ten in the wooden roller coaster division. During the two-minute ride, you’ll experience plenty of arm-raising air time as the coaster climbs then drops, doubles back and bunny hops back to the station. It’s a must-ride coaster at the park. You may wonder at various points of the ride if the clickity-clack of the rails means the entire things is about to give way, but trust your gut – all’s well. Just be careful you don’t eat too many corn dogs before boarding the ride. You just never know what will happen on the way down the ride’s initial big drop!

10. Ferris Wheel

Knoebels has a 110-foot Ferris wheel featuring colorful vintage-style gondolas, and is ranked the tallest Ferris wheel in Pennsylvania. During the ride, you’ll soar over the treetops and have the chance to take in a spectacular view of the park, day or night. It’s a nice change of pace from some of the faster and rougher rides. It’s a beautiful and peaceful way to wind down after a fun-filled day at the park.

11. The Flyer

This ride is still one of the fastest-running Flying Scooters in operation. Take your seat in one of these flyers and you control the flight path as the ride spins furiously. Choose to play it safe closer to the ground or soar high into the treetops. Kids love the ride, but you’ll also see many grown men and women take on this ride with zeal. Watching riders fly high and low is almost as entertaining as steering one yourself. (Look carefully into one of the nearby pine trees and you’ll see the faux skeletal remains of some poor soul who flew too high. Let that be a warning to you daredevils out there!)

12. The Whip

Load 2 or 3 friends into one of the cars and hang tight while the ride pulls cars by cable around an oval track. You’ll feel the whip when the ride speeds up around the corners, causing riders to squeeze together on one side. This ride has all the shake, rattle and roll of a classic fair ride, and is a sure crowd pleaser. Just get ready to be cozy (ie. squished together like sardines) once the ride begins!

13. Sklooosh!

This flume ride is quite a soaker, hence its name, which is said to be the sound that riders’ shoes make after they’ve taken a ride. This ride is perfect for any one of those hot summer days at the park. Please report back if your shoes do, in fact, Sklooosh! as you exit the ride.

14. Haunted Mansion

This three-minute dark ride that spooks with its fast and furious thrills, unnerving sound effects, sudden door swings, and startling air horn blasts is good old-fashioned fear—the kind worth paying for! This ride may or may not spook you to the bone, but it’s worth it for the sheer thrill of this historic haunt.

15. Scenic Skyway

Take a 14-minute ski lift-style ride on the Scenic Skyway which climbs up one of the park’s nearby mountains. The leisurely lift-ride takes you up the forested hillside to a height of approximately 360 feet above the park before it returns down the mountain, giving riders a majestic and scenic view of the park.

And you’ll be surprised to learn (as I did upon researching this article) that not only are pets allowed at the park, but they are permitted to ride certain rides as well! So load up the family van (don’t forget Fido!) and head to Knoebels. But you’d better hurry because the season ends in September. But then again, there’s always next year!

Find out more by visiting their website, or calling 1-800-ITS-4FUN.

  • Sklooosh Photograph: Knoebels
  • Photography (Collages): Laura Taylor

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