Bay Beach Amusement Park
4.7(6.8K)google
4.6(107)yelp
CarnivalHistoryKidsYouth-FriendlyOutdoorThrillingBudget-FriendlyGreat ValueMust-See
Overview
Overlooking the scenic waters of Green Bay, Bay Beach Amusement Park has been entertaining families since the late 19th century, making it one of the oldest continuously running amusement parks in the United States. Featuring iconic classic rides with incredibly low ticket prices, the park's crown jewel is the Zippin Pippin, a historic wooden roller coaster that was famously known as Elvis Presley's favorite ride.
Practical Info
Mon10:00 AM –8:00 PM
Tue10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Wed10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Thu10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Fri10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sat10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sun10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Suggested Duration3-5 hours
Best TimeThis historic, budget-friendly amusement park operates seasonally from May to September. The ideal time to visit is weekday mornings (Monday through Thursday) right at 10:00 AM opening. This window completely avoids the crushing weekend family crowds, reducing wait times for the iconic Zippin Pippin wooden coaster and Ferris wheel to nearly zero.
Getting TherePositioned on the far northern waterfront of Green Bay. By car, travel along I-43, take Exit 187 for Webster Avenue/East River Drive, head north toward the bay, and turn right onto Bay Beach Road, which routes straight into massive free parking fields. High-frequency city buses do not routinely enter the loop, making driving or rideshares preferred.
Travel Tips
- This is a rare municipally-owned park with free gate admission and free parking. To ride, purchase physical paper tickets priced at 25 cents each. Attractions cost between 1 to 4 tickets (the historic Zippin Pippin coaster is only 4 tickets/$1). Buy tickets in bulk at main entry booths to bypass secondary automated kiosks.
- The park's flagship wood coaster, Zippin Pippin, was Elvis Presley's favorite ride design. Weekend queues crest severely mid-afternoon. Ride after 5 PM or during weekday mornings to reduce wait times to under 10 minutes. You can request front or back row configurations directly from track operators.
- Due to its shallow waterfront location near the mouth of the Fox River, heavy swarms of non-biting midges and lake mosquitoes occur around dusk in summer. Apply high-DEET repellents before 4 PM. Outside food and cooler boxes are fully permitted at outdoor pavilions, a massive time and cash saver.
Reviews
Positive
- Unbeatable value! No grand admission fee; you buy individual ride tickets for pocket change, a unique perk unmatched in America.
- The iconic Zippin Pippin wooden coaster delivers authentic vintage thrills and immense speed; its core fun value is phenomenal.
- The classic park grounds are kept clean and restrooms are ample. Despite its age, rides are well-maintained and staff are great with kids.
- Prime location by the river mouth; the park maps out plenty of green space and covered picnic pavilions, perfect for a family day trip.
Heads up
- Summer weekends feature disastrous crowds; queues for hot items like the main coaster are long, forcing parents to wait in the baking sun.
- While ride tickets are cheap, concession lines for basic theme park snacks can get chaotic, offering limited, low-nutrition options.
- Lacks extreme high-thrill rides for older teenagers; the vast majority of attractions cater to young children, bordering on boring for adults.
- Accessibility is restricted on older rides due to historical engineering, meaning wheel-bound guests need full assistance to board.