Kennywood
4.3(18K)google
3.6(463)yelp
KidsYouth-FriendlyOutdoorThrillingMust-SeeLocal FavoriteCarnivalHistoryRoller Coaster
Overview
Kennywood is an incredibly historic and beloved traditional amusement park located in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, recognized proudly as a National Historic Landmark. Founded originally in 1898 as a trolley park, Kennywood perfectly preserves a wonderful, nostalgic old-world charm while effortlessly introducing cutting-edge modern thrills. The park is world-renowned among coaster enthusiasts for its legendary collection of historic, award-winning wooden roller coasters like the Jack Rabbit, Thunderbolt, and Racer, standing beautifully alongside steel monsters like the Steel Curtain. It delivers an authentic, unforgettable slice of pure Americana family fun.
Practical Info
Mon11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Tue11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Wed11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Thu11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Fri11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sat11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sun11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Suggested Duration6-10 hours
Best TimeStrictly open from late May to early September for the summer wave. As a designated National Historic Landmark famous for its meticulously preserved 1920s wooden coasters like 'Jack Rabbit' and 'Phantom's Revenge', highly recommended on midweek mornings (Tuesday to Thursday); arrive by 9:45 AM to enter exactly at 10:00 AM opening to beat heavy industrial crowds.
Getting ThereLocated in West Mifflin at 4800 Kennywood Boulevard. Driving is highly efficient from downtown Pittsburgh: take I-376 E east for 10 minutes, take Exit 74 for PA-837 S (Duquesne Boulevard), and drive south along the Monongahela River bluffs for 4 miles. The hillside landmark features its own immense, well-staffed open-air surface parking plaza steps from the entry portal.
Travel Tips
- Operating since 1898 at 4800 Kennywood Blvd, West Mifflin, this historic park enforces a strict all-digital cashless policy across all midway games and retail kiosks; use the complimentary on-site Cash-to-Card kiosks if carrying cash.
- Security bans bags and coolers exceeding 15x15x15 inches, glass containers, and outside unsealed alcohol at the front gate. The premium main lot requires a parking fee, while a limited free overflow lot requires a lengthy walk.
- The three landmark vintage wooden coasters feature historic mechanical gravity braking and open lap-bars without modern headrests; guests with pre-existing spinal, neck, or lower-back disc injuries are strongly barred from riding.
Reviews
Positive
- A beautifully historic, traditional American amusement park! Multiple century-old wooden coasters run flawlessly with incredible nostalgia.
- Perfectly blends heritage charm with hyper-thrilling modern steel coasters like the Steel Curtain, offering amusement for all age groups.
- The legendary Potato Patch Fries are an absolute culinary masterpiece! Fresh-cut, deep-fried, and loaded with hot melted cheese and real bacon.
- The park scale is highly manageable with a tight, efficient loop layout; pricing is much gentler on the wallet compared to giant corporate parks.
Heads up
- Located adjacent to old industrial West Mifflin steel mill sectors; coaster apex views reveal distant factory smokestacks, which feels unrefined.
- Summer weekend afternoon line structures can get chaotic; top water rides bottleneck heavily in humid corridors that lack open fans.
- The complimentary standard lots sit quite far from the entry turnstiles, requiring long treks through an underground pedestrian tunnel.
- A few of the vintage heritage wooden ride tracks deliver intense jackhammer rattling that can be overly jarring for seniors or neck issues.