heme parks are a great option for student performance trips! On top of being able to perform for a new audience, leaving the classroom and exploring a theme park allows for a greater extent of social and physical interaction, cultural exposure, educational fun, creativity and memorable experiences. Theme parks can package admission—performing opportunities and food under one price tag — making it perfect for a student trip. Consider an excursion to one of these Midwest theme parks as a performance opportunity for students.
SILVER DOLLAR CITY
Silver Dollar City is a 100-acre amusement and water park in Stone County, Missouri. Silver Dollar City is an internationally-renowned 1880s-style theme park that hosts about 40 rides and attractions, 12 stage venues for performers, 100 craftsmen to demonstrate American heritage crafting, multiple award-winning restaurants for visitors to dine and a plethora of unique shops that sit alongside the Missouri caves. World-class festivals are showcased from spring through Christmas, which is when the park is lit up with over 6 million lights. For amenities, there are group rates available for students to enjoy, as well as educational programs. A season pass can award unlimited visits, which can be used for student performance trips. Silver Dollar also offers discounted rates for school groups and groups of 15+, as well as a performance venue for students.
CEDAR POINT
Cedar Point Theme Park in Sandusky, Ohio is the second largest amusement park and offers world-class roller coasters in three park areas, with a total of 68 amazing rides that range from family-friendly to adrenaline-pumping water slides and rides. Cedar Point also offers group tickets for visitors at a discounted rate. It is the only amusement park in the world with six roller coasters that are 200 feet in height — Millennium Force, Wicked Twister, Top Thrill Dragster, Valravn, and Steel Vengeance, as well as a ride in all four height classifications. Cedar Point also offers many restaurants and live music for student performance opportunities!
VALLEYFAIR
This Minnesota amusement park is home to over 75 rides and attractions, including eight roller coasters. The park is owned by Cedar Fair — a chain that also owns Cedar Point Park. Founded in 1976, it originally featured 20 rides across 20 acres of land with the High Roller being the main attraction. Valley Fair also has a water park called Soak City, which is included in the price of admission. Aside from rides, Valley Fair offers dining and shopping experiences. Student groups can dine at restaurants like Beach Bites, Chicken Shack, and Coasters. Students can also come to Valley Fair for performances such as Neon Lights. Between the variety of rides and performance options for student performance trips, Valleyfair is a highly recommended Midwest theme park for school trips.
MICHIGAN’S ADVENTURE
Michigan’s Adventure in Muskegon County, Michigan boasts over 60 rides, slides and attractions while acting as the largest amusement park in the state. Michigan’s Adventure offers diverse, heart-pounding rides such as Thunderwalk and Shivering Timbers which can be enjoyed by all sizes and ages of student groups. All-season dining can be purchased for $95, as well as all season drink refills that can be used for $32.99. For student performing groups, Michigan’s Adventure offers students the chance to perform in front of a built-in audience in the morning and to play around for the rest of the day. Included in admission is WildWater Adventure, which offers three wave pools, slides of all kinds, and splash areas.
KINGS ISLAND
Located in northeast Cincinnati, the second-largest amusement park in Ohio is Kings Island, on 364 acres. Kings Island is also owned by Cedar Fair and opened in 1972 as a greater effort to expand Coney Island, a resort destination along the Ohio River. Since its inception, Kings Island has been featured in numerous popular sitcoms and received praise for its record-breaking attractions, such as the longest wooden roller coaster in the world. Student groups can also visit Soak City, which is a 33-acre water park featuring two wave pools and water areas for children. Student performing groups can come here to be a part of Kings Island’s live entertainment. Shopping and dining amenities abound, such as Coconut Cove Cafe, Coney Bar-B-Que, Festhaus, as well as Cincinnati-native restaurants like LaRosa’s Pizza and Graeter’s Ice Cream.
ARNOLDS PARK
Arnolds Park in Iowa was discovered by Wesley Arnold, who purchased the property from a Methodist preacher, J.S. Prescott in 1864. In 1874, Arnold began to use the property for large tourist parties, which then changed the course of the area and became known as Arnold’s Park. On top of the park’s cultural significance, students are afforded a plethora of opportunities to perform at Arnolds Park such as Live at the Lake and at the Roof Garden Ballroom. After performing, students can enjoy a host of thrill rides to go on, such as Wild Mouse, Rock-O-Plane, and Log Flume. Arnolds Park also boasts a collection of eateries — Benit’s Confections, The Funhouse Diner, Bonbon, Ruthven Meat Locker, and Maxwell’s Beach Cafe.
STORYBOOK ISLAND
Storybook Island was founded in 1959 by Merle Gunderson and the Rapid City Rotary Clubs. It has been in operation for over 60 years and offers free admission in the summer for visitors and student groups. Storybook Island is an amusement park for kids whose mission is “to provide a free, safe, educational environment for those young in years or young at heart to experience the power of imagination.” The educational mission is a great match for the performance opportunities.
Allow for your student performers to be heard by a larger group, while also providing them the time of their lives with educational opportunities. If you live in the Midwest, turn your next student performance trip into a fun day at a theme park, or even a water park! These seven parks are amazing opportunities for student performers to branch out.
