MA: Canobie Lake Park VisIT

Canobie Lake Park has been around forever (at least it seems so to me). Growing up  we would celebrate the end of the year with a class field trip to Canobie Lake Park. Thinking back those trips hold some of the best memories of my childhood.  My mother would always chaperone and I would be very picky when selecting the kids who would be in my group. Social ranking was not important to me I just wanted brave kids. No kids who turned green and felt sick after going on the tea cups 5 times in a row. This trip was about the rides.

Fast forward to today visiting Canobie Lake Park as a Mom. Were my kids brave? Could I allow them to go on every ride without thinking about the construction, who is doing the repairs and every other horrible thing I could imagine? Could I still handle the rides? I decided to find out last week by taking my girls to the park for a visit. Kaleigh (17) has been many times but this was Adeline’s (4) first visit to Canobie Lake Park or any amusement park.

Upon arrival things seemed to be the same as I remembered them. The price may have gone up but honestly this may have been the first time I was actually the one footing the bill. It was $33 for General Admission (and coupons for $4 off are available at Market Basket and other locations) and under 48 inches and over 60 years old is $24. This price includes ALL rides and water rides which makes it a pretty good deal.

Once inside the park I was instantly impressed with the cleanliness. I was afraid it would be a bit rundown since it had been around for so long but this was not the case! Everything looked freshly painted and the park itself was super clean. We ventured off to the kiddie area for Adeline to start off. She was a little weary of the rides at first and I was a little weary that I was raising one of those kids that I wouldn’t want in my group back in the day. Thankfully after a few easy rides she was ready to brave some of the tougher rides (that’s my girl).

warming up

having fun but still holding on for dear life

Adeline was then ready (with her big sister by her side) to go on a ride that actually went off the ground. That was it for her. She was in LOVE with the feeling and wanted to go on everything from that point on.

I was having a great time watching the girls enjoy themselves until Kaleigh suggested that I go on the newest roller coaster, Untamed, with her. Okay, I could do this. I think.

Some interesting UNTAMED facts (taken from the Canobie Lake website):

• UNTAMED is the ONLY vertical lift coaster in the Northeast, fourth of its kind in the United States
• Largest coaster to debut in ANY New England amusement park since 2002
• Coaster station features rustic, Adirondack-style design – coaster supports resemble birch tree logs
• Custom-designed Grizzly Bear themed cars hold 8 thrill-seekers each, 4 across
• First climb is 72 ft. into the air sending riders into a drop that’s beyond vertical: 97 degrees!
• Delivers a wild, scream-inducing ride over 1184 feet of track with vertical loops, diving drops,
  banked curves, and zero-G rolls!

We left Adeline and Grampy on a bench where they could see us and headed over to Untamed. The line was super short so I really didn’t have time to change my mind. Next thing I knew Kaleigh and I were in the front seat climbing straight up in the air and then dropping straight down and flipping upside down. I screamed and screamed but survived and actually did it again! Adeline thought it was hysterical to see, and hear, Kaleigh and I on the ride and wanted to try it out herself. She was under the 48 inch height requirement which was probably a good thing.

Canobie Lake Park is located in Salem, NH and features over 85 rides, games, live entertainment and attractions. The park is open from  late spring through Halloween. During September and October Canobie features Screamfest, which we can’t wait to check out. If you live in the area or are planning a visit then Canobie Lake Park is a must for all ages. For more information visit them online www.canobie.com.

~Erika

* We did not receive monetary compensation or tickets for this review. The review is in our own words and is our opinion. Your results and opinions may differ.