3. Kings Island

Image: Cedar FairThe lines get blurry between theme parks and amusement parks these days. Theming is everywhere, but some old school park operators prefer the latter term. When they describe their businesses as amusement parks, they can get out from under the shadow of Disney.

Foremost among these companies is Cedar Fair, which currently claims the top three most visited amusement parks in North America, two of which are on this list. Canada’s Wonderland doesn’t qualify because, you know, Canada. Not in the Midwest.

Kings Island is an extremely well-run and comprehensive amusement park, offering a spectacular 100+ attractions. Fourteen of them are roller coasters, including the spectacular duo of Banshee and The Beast. Visitors will also get to ride a bit of history here, as The Racer leveraged its appearance in an episode of The Brady Bunch into leading the charge for the great coaster renaissance of the 1970s.

2. Six Flags Great America

Image: Six FlagsEarlier, I mentioned the original three Six Flags parks. This one opened during the same era but didn’t become a Six Flags property until 1984. Despite its age, it doesn’t have the history of some of the other places mentioned here. Instead, it’s suffered through a great deal of turmoil and upheaval over the years.

Recently, Six Flags has sagely focused on ride experiences, adding some of the most popular concepts from their collection. This place is home to X Flight, one of the first wing coasters, and a clone of Justice League: Battle for Metropolis, an interactive 4D dark ride.

The most famous attraction is Goliath, which set three world records when it opened. This wooden coaster is among the fastest in the world at 72 miles per hour, and it also comes with a 180-foot drop at 85 degrees. The new reason to visit Six Flags Great America is Maxx Force, the fastest launch coaster in the world. It hurdles guests from zero to 78 miles per hour in less than two seconds, which is just…wow.

In terms of pure entertainment value, Six Flags Great America is the second-best place in the Midwest for adrenaline junkies to visit. But it’s obviously not the best. That honor belongs to…

1. Cedar Point

Image: Cedar FairIf I could choose a trip to any theme park in North American that isn't part of the Disney brand, I'd pick Cedar Point…and I say that as someone passionate about The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Cedar Point is my happy place, and I used to visit it annually until quite recently.

The roller coasters here are legitimately the best in the world. I realize that this title is competitive, with many theme parks staking a claim to the title. The reason why I favor Cedar Point is that its attractions stand the test of time.

When Millennium Force opened in 2000, it usurped Magnum XL-200 as the best ride in the park. The latter one didn’t lose that title. Something better had to take it. Even today, 30 years after its introduction, Magnum XL-200 is still a blast to ride. Similarly, Millennium Force is about to turn 20, yet it’s currently ranked as the second best steel coaster in the world at the Golden Ticket Awards.

Building an excellent ride for today is a remarkable achievement. Building one that will still be a great ride in several decades is the holy grail of theme park design. Outside of The Walt Disney Company, the place that has done the best in this regard is Cedar Point. It’s not just the best theme park in the Midwest. It’s a destination vacation spot for any self-respecting theme park tourist.