Knoebels Amusement Park – a Vintage Retro Must-Do, Elysburg PA

If I wasn't so busy getting ready to go on vacation with RetroRoadhusband, today looks like a perfect summer Saturday to jump in the RetroMobile and head to Knoebles Amusement park, nestled in the hills near Elysburg, PA. We went there 2 summers ago with the Retro Roadkids and their parents and I just could not let this summer go by without strongly encouraging you to go to this wonderful almost historic amusement park.

The Wikipedia page for Knoebles Amusement Resort sums up all the good stuff nicely when it notes "Knoebels Amusement Resort is a family-owned and -operated amusement park, picnic grove and campground, located in Elysburg, Pennsylvania. Opened in 1926, the park has more than 50 rides, free admission, two wooden roller coasters, a 1913 carousel and a haunted house dark ride that was featured on the Discovery Channel."

One of the many great things I loved about this park was the free admission policy, as I am not as into riding the rides as I once was, so I don't have to pay for a wrist band I'll never use! This make the park a great place for extended families, and we saw many reunions and parties setting up in the picnic grove as we walked from our free parking into the park.

Once we got in I was thrilled with the amount of vintage signs, buildings and rides, all well kept and looking great surrounded by the welcomed shade trees.

Another wonderful thing that made Knoebels stand out in my mind was their food offerings- not just typical fried food, but more varied and healthy options from their cafeteria, full service restaurant The Alamo and even gluten free menu options- check out this link to see the menus, so many options! . Just pick up your tray from the pile, and get in line!

They also have one of my favorite amusement park snacks - cotton candy, or as this great vintage neon sign calls it - Candy Floss!

And they've even got some old fashioned treats like birch beer and ice cream waffles, served under some wonderful vintage structures:

A couple of more wonderful things about this place - before I get myself really wanting to head there! For the roller coaster fans they've got 4 roller coasters, one of which is the Phoenix which is a wooden coaster originally built in 1947 for Playland Park in San Antonio, Texas. While that coaster is the first one RetroRoadGirl rode, I was more happy with the sedate pace of the classic carousel, complete with brass rings. RetroRoadgirl seemed to like that part too.

This carousel was built in 1913 and still uses original organs - not recordings - to play that classic carousel accompaniment!

There is a great kiddie area in the park, with rides for the small kids, and don't worry they still have many modern rides for those more adventurous types. I can tell I'm getting old when I realize I'd rather tell folks about the Anthracite Museum located in the park, which gives a history of coal mining in the area, and also houses a great selection of memorabilia from Knoebels past, like this great sign:

I really loved the dining area - perfect for parties- that was shaped like a giant birthday cake, replete with candles atop and being held aloft by peppermint sticks. So wonderfully old timey, I wanted to have my birthday celebration right there.

And they even have that classic game Fascination that I totally remember from Nantasket Beach (I wonder if that's still there?). There's also skeeball, my favorite sport!

The Knoebels website does a great job of showing all of their rides, attractions, foods, camping areas, pools and more, and once you see all the place has to offer, you'll be putting this place on your list of summer must visit attractions too. I'm posting this early on a Saturday morning, get out there and go!