Canobie Lake Park
4.5(13K)google
3.7(495)yelp
KidsYouth-FriendlyWater ActivityOutdoorThrillingMust-SeeCarnivalHistoryLake
Overview
Canobie Lake Park is an amusement park in Salem, New Hampshire, United States. It was founded as a trolley park on the shore of Canobie Lake in 1902. It is one of only thirteen trolley parks left in operation.
Practical Info
Mon10:30 AM – 7:00 PM
Tue10:30 AM – 7:00 PM
Wed10:30 AM – 7:00 PM
Thu10:30 AM – 7:00 PM
Fri10:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Sat10:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Sun10:30 AM – 7:00 PM
Suggested Duration6-12 hours
Best TimeStrictly open from late May to Labor Day (with select weekends in October for Screemfest). Highly recommended on midweek mornings (Tuesday to Thursday); arrive at the main turnstiles by 9:45 AM to enter exactly at 10:00 AM opening to ride the legendary 1930s wooden coaster 'Yankee Cannonball' without lines. Noon sun hits the rollercoasters reflecting onto the glassy lake beautifully.
Getting ThereLocated in Salem at 85 N Policy Street, just 30 miles north of Boston. Driving is seamless: take I-93 N north across the state border straight to Exit 2 for NH-97 East toward Salem. Follow the overhead parkway markings north onto North Policy Street for 1.5 miles. The amusement park features its own immense, fully staffed and completely complimentary open-air surface paved parking plaza.
Travel Tips
- The Castaway Island water park section implements immediate capacity closures; add-on tickets are not sold at internal turnstiles if pre-sold out.
- The entire park operates 100% cashless; all dining kiosks and arcade lockers require credit cards or mobile pay, utilizing cash-to-card reverse ATMs.
- The massive unshaded asphalt lot experiences intense heat in summer; leaving pets or combustible batteries inside closed cabins triggers forced window breaches.
Reviews
Positive
- A classic and nostalgic amusement park that lives up to its reputation, offering everything from a century-old wooden coaster to modern thrill rides.
- Beautifully set on the shores of Canobie Lake, the park boasts great scenery, extensive shade trees, and perfectly distributed trash cans for great cleanliness.
- The staff's service attitude is generally warm and friendly, and line management along with ride safety checks are strictly enforced for peace of mind.
- The single admission covers all live stage shows and the water park area (Castaway Island), making it an excellent all-inclusive value for families.
Heads up
- During mid-summer weekends and holiday events, the park gets overwhelmingly crowded, with wait times for top coasters and food stalls exceeding an hour.
- On-site secondary spending is quite expensive; prices for a basic water bottle or hot dog are steep, and large outside food items are prohibited.
- Some older rides occasionally close unexpectedly for maintenance during peak seasons, leaving enthusiasts who came specifically for them disappointed.
- While parking is plentiful, the standard lot requires a long walk to the main gates, while premium close-in spots demand an extra hefty fee.