The 626 roller coasters in the United States give Rick Munarriz, mastermind behind the thrill ride–rating site ParkOutlet.com, plenty to report on—and his family is happy to strap in for the ride. Each summer Rick and his wife and two kids dive, loop, and corkscrew across the country. Here, Rick’s picks for a heart-racing, hair-raising good time.
Top 5 Coasters
1. Millennium Force
Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio
"Go up 310 feet as Lake Erie shimmers to your left, then barrel down at 93 mph."
2. X
Six Flags Magic Mountain Los Angeles, Calif.
"Your seat rotates as it races along the track."
3. Voyage Holiday
World Santa Claus, Ind.
"A wooden coaster with a surprisingly smooth ride."
4. Boulder Dash
Lake Compounce Bristol, Conn.
"The first terrain coaster (one that rides the contours of the ground) built on the side of a mountain."
5. Kingda Ka
Six Flags Great Adventure Jackson, N.J.
"It’s the world’s tallest and fastest, catapulting you over a record-breaking 456-foot hill."
Opening in 2007
Mystery Mine
Dollywood Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
"Set to the creepy backstory of an abandoned mine, this ride takes you through a dynamite explosion before plunging you into darkness."
Maverick
Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio
"On a short track like this, the accelerated segments and 95-degree drops feel even more thrilling."
