Canobie Lake Amusement Park

By Wendy Michaels

Wendy Michaels

A seasoned freelance writer and editor from New York, Wendy spends much of her time blogging and writing about entertainment and wine for a variety of digital publications, including Radar Online and OK! Magazine.

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Located in Salem, New Hampshire, Canobie Lake Amusement Park offers rides and attractions to New England residents looking for an easy day trip.

History

Located just a half hour north of Boston, Massachusetts, Canobie Lake Park got its humble beginnings in 1902 serving as a trolley park for Massachusetts Northeast Street Railway Company. Over the years, the park has evolved from flower gardens and small attractions to include over 85 rides, kids' attractions, arcades, and dining.

Canobie Lake Amusement Park Attractions

Guests will appreciate the ride signage at Canobie Lake, indicating different levels: Black Diamond thrill rides, Blue Square moderate intensity rides, and Green Circle family rides.

Rides

Yankee Cannonball: A remnant of the park's early years, the Yankee Cannonball wooden roller coaster provides as many thrills now as it did in 1930.

Canobie Corkscrew: A modern-day steel roller coaster, this ride was formerly located at Old Chicago, an Illinois amusement park and shopping mall.
Mine of Lost Souls: Prepare yourself for an exciting ride aboard a mine train - that rides into a dark mine and simulates a collapse.
The Boston Tea Party - Climb aboard this fun and wet flume ride!
Starblaster: This wild tower ride simulates a rocket ride to the stars.
DaVinci's Dream: Guests fly effortlessly through the air in these chair swings.
Skater: Take a ride on a giant skateboard which spins and glides up, down, and around a simulated half pipe.
Xtreme Frisbee: One of the park's newest rides, Xtreme Frisbee straps guests in then spins them with wild abandon!
Carousel: Guests young and old will delight in this antique carousel.

Additionally, kid-sized roller coasters, spinning teacups, bumper cars, a Ferris wheel, and an aerial gondola ride over the park are a part of the family fun at Canobie Lake Park.

Water Complex

As with many modern day theme parks, Canobie Lake Amusement Park opened a water play area to meet the needs of overheated patrons during the operating season. Opened in 2005, Castaway Island features a number of slides and water elements for guests to cool off in. Castaway Island is included in the park's general admission price.

Games

Canobie Lake's midway games and arcades provide another level of excitement for park visitors. Try out the classic Skeeball, sports themed basketball, baseball and soccer challenges, fishing, or water gun games. Young guests will love the fun prizes!

Dining

Plenty of dining options await visitors of Canobie Lake Park, from free-standing food stands and carts to several different restaurants. Food choices include standard amusement park fare, such as hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza and sandwiches, but guests may also want to indulge in BBQ ribs or chicken, seafood, Mexican dishes, or Italian foods. Plenty of sweet snacks are also available, such as fudge, candy apples, funnel cakes, and ice cream.

Entertainment

What's a day at an amusement park without some live entertainment? The Dancehall Theater features the aerial and acrobatic show "Fly," while the Midway Stage, Country Stage, and Flume Gazebo offer plenty of musical and comedy performances.

Visiting Canobie Lake

Tickets for Canobie Lake Park are relatively affordable, given all of the rides and attractions available.

Tickets

General admission (2009 rates - subject to change) is $30 and tickets for guests under 48 inches tall and senior citizens are just $21. Children ages three and younger are free, and there is no charge for parking. Discounted rates are available for guests visiting after 5 p.m. Discount coupons are available at participating New England retail locations, including McDonald's, True Value, Brooks Pharmacy, Tedeschi Food Shops, and more.