Six Flags: Great America

Ahh, the joys of summer. Warm weather, time away from the daily grind and, if you are so inclined, water sports. Sometimes you just want to escape for a day and not in a lounging on the beach kind of way. You may need to scream and laugh uncontrollably in public in order to truly de-stress. If this is the case, head to your nearest Six Flags.

Online tickets run about $50, a hefty price tag, but if you put in a full day of eight–10 hours, it is worth it! The parks generally open at 10:30 a.m., prime time for the bigger rides. Lines will be completely manageable for the first couple of hours, so plan to ride the Goliath, Demon and Superman as early as possible. Even if you can handle rollercoasters, it is probably a good idea to have as little in your stomach as possible.

Food venues start opening around noon and the crowds seem to reach a peak in the mid-afternoon. Chances are you will still hop on the Flying Carousel and the Twirling Cyclone without much delay.

One thing to be wary of are the food options. No one expects gourmet, but the website does promise extensive gluten-free options, but it does not always deliver. If you have a food allergy, be sure to ask for the documentation as even traditional, gluten-free options, like tacos, seemed to have wheat. You are not allowed to bring food into the park, but you can tailgate in the parking lot, so bring a cooler full of your favorite items and have a picnic if all else fails. Otherwise, grab a massive waffle cone and enjoy!

Six Flags America

13710 Central Avenue

Upper Marlboro, MD 20721