Theme Parks Lure With Summer Fun
The newest pavilion, representing Norway, resembles a Nordic village with a replica of a medieval wooden church, buildings that display four distinct styes of Norwegian architecture and shops that sell a variety of items, including clothing, candy and traditional edible cream horns.
The scene is very different at the Old Tombstone Western Theme Park in -- no surprise -- Tombstone, Arizona. Among that town's claims to infamy is the notorious gunfight at the O.K. Corral. While that fray between lawmen led by Virgil Earp and a group of outlaws lasted less than a minute, it's the most famous shootout in the history of the Old West.
Today's version of that incident combines history with hilarity in "histaric" performances that recall the original altercation. Adding to the frontier feel are gold-panning, a historically themed miniature golf course and a Shoot'n Gallery.
Other parks delve into very different topics and combine education with enjoyment. Along with a "Mooville" train ride, milk-bottle-shaped climbing wall, ropes course, a 4D movie and other more traditional offerings, family-owned Fair Oaks Farm in Indiana is part theme park and part working grange. Visitors can witness calves take their first breath in the Birthing Barn, learn about raising pigs and increase their knowledge of nutrition. Many end their visit with samples of homemade cheese and ice cream.
Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park in California is an attraction on a mission. It is operated by a nonprofit whose goal is to "educate and inspire families, especially children, to appreciate horticulture and the importance of trees in our lives." Its rides are themed to plants and trees.
The spinning journey made in teacups at other amusement parks speeds riders along in garlic bulbs. The swinging pendulum seen as a pirate ship elsewhere is a banana. A monorail provides inviting aerial views of a lush greenhouse. Adding to the fun is that many trees boast unique shapes. One resembles a revolving door, while another looks like a four-legged giant. Then there's the fantastic live tree sculpture that overlooks the children's waterpark.
Many theme parks are only open seasonally, so be sure to check in advance before planning a visit. If you're looking for something more than the usual rides and raucous fun, a lot of choices are available with surprises that will satisfy many interests.
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