Kings Island

Kings Island is an amusement park in Mason, Ohio, spanning 364 acres (147 hectares) and featuring multiple roller coasters and rides for different age groups. The park divides into several areas, including a water park and themed zones that each offer their own attractions and dining options.

The site opened in 1972 after the previous location at Coney Island became unusable due to flooding and a new site was sought farther north. Over the following decades ownership changed several times, with each phase bringing new rides and expansions.

The name refers to the nearby city of Cincinnati, often called the Queen City, with the royal reference playing on that local tradition. Today visitors see themed areas that offer different experiences for children and adults, from gentle carousels to fast coasters.

Visiting on weekdays outside school holidays usually means shorter lines and more time to try different attractions. Comfortable shoes are important since there is a lot of walking, and sunscreen is recommended during summer months.

One of the wooden coasters here helped revive interest in that ride type across North America during the 1970s when many parks focused only on steel construction. The symmetrical layout with two trains running side by side created a racing experience for riders that was uncommon at the time.