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Top Amusement and Theme Parks nearest Nashville

By , About.com Guide

Since the demise of the Opryland Theme Park, Nashville locals and visitors alike, have been limited on their afternoon fix of thrills and adventure, but don't fret because we've gathered up a list of the top 10 amusement and theme parks nearest Nashville.
All are within a four-hour drive and include tons of fun, frills, and adventure for the entire family from an afternoon getaway to a week long stay.

Note: In January of 2012, Gaylord Opryland announced plans to open a water & snow park in the Music Valley Area - opening is tentatively set for 2014.

Beech Bend Park & Splash Lagoon

Photo Courtesy BeechBend Amusement Park

First on our list is Beech Bend Park & Splash Lagoon, as the closest traditional theme park to Nashville; it has been in operation since 1898. This locally owned theme park is a one stop family destination and offers its visitors a ton of fun with over 40 rides (including 4 roller coasters), a water park, two racetracks, and even an on-site campground.
Drive time from Nashville: One hour and fifteen minutes
Location: Bowling Green, Kentucky
Phone: (270) 781-7634

Lake Winnepesaukah

Photo Courtesy Getty Images/Daniel Berehulak

Lake Winnepesaukah, known locally just as Lake Winnie, has been a family owned and operated theme park since 1925. It offers over 30 rides that include 3 roller coasters, a 1916 carousel, paddleboats and more. Amazingly enough, Lake Winnie has been able to retain its ole time fair atmosphere and charm throughout the years making this a quintessential stop for families everywhere.
Photos
Drive time from Nashville: Two hours and ten minutes
Location: Rossville, Georgia (near Chattanooga)
Phone: (706) 866-5681

Southern Adventures

Photo Courtesy Getty Images/Darren McCollester
While Southern Adventures main attraction is its water park it also offers several carnival type rides and games. While this is not a one-stop destination, we suggest that you add onto your itinerary if you are planning a visit to Huntsville.
Drive time from Nashville: Two hours and fifteen minutes
Location: Huntsville, Alabama
Phone: (256) 880-6599

Holiday World

Photo Courtesy of Holiday World & Splashin' Safari

Holiday World is a weekend destination and offers nearly 40 rides for the entire family from the youngest to the oldest, but all will tell you that one of their favorite things is the free and unlimited beverage policy. Holiday World also offers a water park, Spashin Safari that is included with park admission.
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Drive time from Nashville: Three hours
Location: Santa Claus,Indiana
Phone: (812) 937-4401

Alabama Adventure

Photo Courtesy Getty Images/Johannes Simon
Formerly known as Visionland, Alabama Adventure offers twice the fun with the Magic City theme park and the Splash Beach water park. Season Passes are set at a good price for families on a budget.
Drive time from Nashville: Three hours
Location: Bessemer, Alabama (near Birmingham)
Phone: (205) 481-4750

Stone Mountain Park

Photo Courtesy Getty Images
While Stone Mountain Park isn't your typical theme park, it offers plenty of wholesome family fun including a Paddleboat cruise, a Skyride, a four story indoor playground, two huge interactive tree houses, onsite camping grounds, and even an 1870s southern town to browse through.
Drive time from Nashville: Three hours
Location: Stone Mountain, Georgia
Phone: (770) 498-5690

American Adventures

Photo Courtesy Getty Images/Darren McCollester
American Adventures is our second Six Flags destination and offers fun exclusively for kids twelve and under. It is situated right next to Six Flags water wonderland, White Water just north of Atlanta.
Drive time from Nashville: Three hours and thirty minutes
Location: Marietta, Georgia (Atlanta suburb)
Phone:(770) 948-9290

Dollywood

Photo Courtesy Getty Images/Darren McCollester
For over twenty years Dollywood has been one of Tennessee's most popular attractions and destinations. Dollywood is situated in one of our states most scenic and beautiful areas, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This park offers over 40 different rides and entertainment along with a water park, Splash & Play.
Drive time from Nashville: Three hours and forty-five minutes
Location: Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Phone: (865) 428-9488

Six Flags Over Georgia

Photo Courtesy Getty Images/Johannes Simon
Coming in at number ten on our list is the last of three Six Flags Parks, Six Flags over Georgia. This park was the second original Six Flags parks ever opened and as expected this theme park is loaded with tons of rides. Thrill seekers will be ecstatic over their large selection of roller coasters and historians will be in awe of the Riverview Carousel.
Drive time from Nashville: Four hours
Location: Austell, Georgia (Atlanta suburb)
Phone: (770) 948-9290

Kentucky Kingdom

Photo Courtesy Getty Images

Closed in 2010
Six Flags is the largest regional theme park company in the world and Kentucky Kingdom once offered a ton of thrill and family rides as well as their water park, Splashwater Kingdom (included in admission).
Drive time from Nashville: Three hours
Location: Louisville, Kentucky
Phone: (502) 366-2231



If I've overlooked a local Nashville favorite or if you need me to update, add to, or change it, please feel free to contact me anytime!
Thanks,
Jan Duke

PS If you're planning a vacation to a theme, water, and/or amusement park, we also recommend checking our our fellow site, ThemeParks.About.com to get all of the latest news and information on the wild and sometimes wet world of Theme Parks.

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