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Six Flags Great America, Gurnee, IL

Photo: Feather Better, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

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Six Flags Great America

1 Great America Parkway · Gurnee, IL

Why you should go…

Six Flags Great America is a theme park between Chicago and Milwaukee that opened in 1976 as Marriott's Great America. Its coasters include the wooden Goliath, the air-launched Maxx Force and Batman: The Ride, which opened in 1992 as the first inverted coaster. Near the entrance you find the double-decker Columbia Carousel, an original 1976 ride. Hurricane Harbor Chicago, a separately gated water park, sits next door, and Fright Fest takes over on select fall nights.

  • #theme park
  • #roller coasters
  • #amusement park
  • #water park
  • #family rides

Good to know

General attractions guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Book the time slot, not just the ticket

    Timed entry is now the norm at big-draw attractions, and online tickets are often cheaper than the gate.

  • Grab the daily schedule on arrival

    Feeding times, keeper talks, and shows run on a posted timetable that changes day to day.

  • The first hour is the quietest

    Queues build through late morning and peak after lunch, so an early start buys you the shortest waits.

  • Budget past the ticket price

    Parking, lockers, strollers, and food inside the gates are common extras worth planning for.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Six Flags Great America, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

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    Lake County

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    Illinois county along Lake Michigan with lakefront towns, Great America and Chicago area day trips.

    4.1 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

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    Volo Auto Museum

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    A sprawling car museum and family attraction in Volo, Illinois, with classic, celebrity, and movie cars.

    12 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

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    Chicago Botanic Garden

    Under $25

    Stroll 385 acres of display gardens spread over nine islands, including a Japanese Garden.

    17 mi awaySwitch it up: Sport & Outdoor

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    Santa's Village Azoosment Park

    $25–$50

    A combination amusement park and small zoo in East Dundee dating to 1959, with 19 rides and 200-plus animals.

    25 mi awayMore like this

  • Attractions
    Quirky Fun

    The Pinball Capital

    Under $25

    One of the Midwest's largest pinball arcades, with more than 130 machines near Chicago.

    32 mi awayMore like this

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Flyover Chicago

    $25–$50

    A suspended flying-theater ride that soars over Chicago landmarks with wind, mist and motion effects.

    37 mi awayMore like this