New York is home to various amusement parks, lakes, and resorts. People from over the U.S. and beyond visit the state to explore its breathtaking sites. Whether a group of friends or colleagues or visiting with family, you can spend the best vacation time exploring the famous places in New York. Six Flags Darien Lake can be your ideal vacation spot this year. If you wonder why, we have covered everything to develop your interest.
What makes this amusement park perfect for your family trip? Let’s dive into the details to find out together.
Six Flags Darien Lake is a family amusement park and resort located between Buffalo and Rochester in Corfu, New York. The park has attracted many tourists over the years to enjoy fun activities. Darien Lake amusement park covers 1,200 acres of land. History tells us that Darien Lake was a famous swimming site for many years back in the 1950s.
In 1964, an investor named Paul Snyder took over a 164-acre area around the lake to open a small campground with a picnic area. He continued his development plans by acquiring further land parts spreading over 1000 acres. The total area covered seven lakes and campgrounds to carry out various activities.
Darien Lake is the largest of the seven lakes in the area. With the increasing public interest, Snyder continued the park’s development, increasing the number of campgrounds and adding a small petting zoo, paddleboats, skateboarding, tennis courts, and mini-golf courses. As soon as the 70s and the 80s arrived, Snyder added water-based activities to the park, changing its status to a proper amusement park named Darien Lake Fun Country.
After Snyder’s deal with HUSS Park Attractions, the lake park added many fun rides to attract kids and families. Moreover, the family resort installed its first roller coaster ride in 1982, making it an early arriver to the modern amusement parks in the U.S.
Rides and Activities
Six Flags Darien Lake has developed a positive reputation among families for its dozens of rides and fun activities. Unlike many other parks in New York, this amusement park takes fun and thrill to extreme levels. You may find many rides in the park that can test your endurance and fears.
The top highlight of the club is the Ride of Steel. It is the fastest roller coaster ride across New York. Other popular rides include Red Hawk, Skyscreamer, and Slingshot. While Red Hawk may fulfill your flying dreams, Skyscreamer can make you scream due to its thrilling ride. The Slingshot can treat you like a cannonball by launching 300 feet at 80 miles per hour in the air.
If you wonder what the water side of the park has for you, there are many surprises to appeal to your family. The Swirl City Slide Complex, Brain Drain, and Rip Curl Racer can take you on a fun-packed water adventure. Other rides in the water section include Floatation Station, Crocodile Isle, Big Kahuna, and Tornado.
The Crocodile Isle is popular among adults and kids alike. It is a 600,000-gallon swimming pool with waves and water-based activities to keep you busy. If you like tube games, the Big Kahuna can take you on a curvy tube trip, landing in a giant pool. Moreover, Tornado can give you a real-time tornado feel while you enjoy it.
Activities for Kids
The Darien Lake amusement park accommodates adults and children equally. Your kids can enjoy ten rides at the park with safety precautions. The park’s administration has made it mandatory to check the minimum height and age requirements before choosing an activity.
Famous rides for kids include Wally’s Weather Balloons, Tree Stump Turnpike, Raccoon Rally, and the Darien Lake Railway. All these activities can maximize the fun for your kids. More importantly, your kids may be able to participate in most activities.
Apart from games and rides, your kids can fall in love with some of the shows presented at the park. Most kids love to watch the Master of Illusion Aaron Radatz magic show. You can also enjoy family shows like the Back Stage Variety Show. This act covers a group dance and humor-based discussions to keep you engaged.
Stay at Darien Lake
Since you can find many campgrounds around the lake area, you can settle down at your desired spot to spend a night or two. There are over 800 RV campsites with facilities like picnic tables, power output, restrooms, hot showers, and campfire rings. RV camping can be your best choice in the park if you have a small family.
You can also explore other camping options in the area by heading to Cherry Hill Campground (half a mile from Six Flags). Here, you can find tent sites, cabins, and RV sites (for up to 37 feet long). For larger RVs, you may need to check with the park’s administration to find suitable camping sites.
You can also choose to stay on the property in one of their cabins which is a pretty cool experience. We stayed in both the RV park and cabin. The cabin wins hands down every time. It is not overly expensive and is super fun for the kids.
Dining Options
An amusement park is incomplete without fine dining options. When you head to Six Flags, you can explore various eating sites in the area. If you want to move away from the clutter to eat peacefully, places like Akron and Oakfield can serve you quality meals. There are plenty of restaurants, saloon eateries, pizza places, and other family diners within the 25-minute drive of the park.
For quick grabs, you may find many vendors in the park selling burgers, sandwiches, and hotdogs. It may take you a while to discover the various food spots across the resort. You may check with the park’s administration to get further details.
The Takeaway
Six Flags Darien Lake amusement park has everything a family seeks in a vacation trip. If you want to take a break from your busy work routine, this place has the potential to take the burden off your shoulders. Six Flags can never disappoint you with its never-ending fun activities as one of the best tourist destinations in New York.
The park operates throughout the year. However, you may contact the park’s management or visit the official website for recent updates.