There’s nothing like taking a trip to a theme park for the day. Whether you’re with friends or family, prefer the thrill rides or calmer ones, or simply came for the food, you know you’re in for a great day. Six Flags is the largest regional theme park company, with 27 locations throughout the United States and Canada.
One of the most popular theme parks in the Six Flags family is Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois. This excellent theme park pays homage to much of America’s history with various themed areas, rides, and more. If you’re considering visiting, here’s everything you need to know about Six Flags Great America before arriving for your day of fun and delicious food.
If you’re planning a trip to Illinois, take a look at our guides focused on Hotels, Resorts and Experiences in the state.
Table of Contents:
- History and Overview
- Park Hours
- Tickets and Admission
- Rides and Attractions
- Areas of the Park
- Carousel Plaza
- Orleans Place
- Hometown Square
- Hometown Park
- Southwest Territory
- Metropolis Plaza
- County Fair
- Yukon Territory
- Kidzopolis
- Camp Cartoon
- DC Universe
- Mardi Gras
- Places To Eat at the Park
- Where To Stay Nearby
- Final Thoughts
History and Overview
Before becoming Six Flags Great America, this park was Marriott’s Great America. The location in Gurnee, Illinois, opened in 1976 and has a sister park with the same name in Santa Clara, California.
Its theme is dedicated to American history, showcasing different types of towns and characteristics throughout the park. The idea behind the parks was that they were to open in time for the country’s bicentennial celebrating 200 years of independence from Britain.
The Gurnee park became a part of the Six Flags family in 1984 and was named Six Flags Great America. It has grown rapidly since being purchased, with a much larger selection of roller coasters and family-friendly rides and attractions than was originally available.
Park Hours
Six Flags Great America is a seasonal theme park. It’s only open from April through November, so you’ll want to plan accordingly. During this time, the park’s hours are confined to Saturday and Sunday from 11 am until 9 pm.
With only limited open days, it’s best to purchase your tickets ahead of time so you can enjoy your day at the theme park without the risk of missing out. They do have particular events in which they open the park on different days. For example, their Oktoberfest event is almost always on a Friday with fewer hours than the park’s standard daily schedule.
Tickets and Admission
Getting your tickets to any theme park before arrival is always a good idea, especially with Six Flags Great America. Not only will this save you precious time on the morning of your trip, but you won’t be blindsided by ticket pricing. Here’s a look at what tickets generally cost to visit this amusement park:
- General one-day admission: $54.99
- Seasonal passes: $79.99
- Annual membership: Starting at $6.99 per month
Remember that the above prices are online only, and tickets at the gate might be higher depending on the day you arrive.
Rides and Attractions
This Six Flags park has 15 thrilling roller coasters that are perfect for the thrill seekers at your party. These rides deliver a range of thrills, as long as you’re over the height limit:
- American Eagle
- Demon
- Batman the Ride
- Goliath
- Raging Bull
- Joker
- Flash: Vertical Velocity
- MaxxForce
- Little Dipper
- Superman Ultimate Flight
- The Dark Knight Coaster
- Sprocket Rockets
- X-Fight
- Viper
- Whizzer
Besides that, they have plenty of other rides and attractions to ensure every member of your group gets to have fun, no matter their preferences or height:
- Big Easy Balloons
- Buccaneer Battle
- Columbia Carousel
- Fiddler’s Fling
- Crazy Bus
- Giant Drop
- Hometown Fun Machine
- Krazy Kars
Areas of the Park
As mentioned, this Six Flags park is themed on American history and has several areas centered on a specific aspect of the country, its history, and its culture. Each spot is amazing in its own way and features plenty of food, drinks, and rides to enjoy. The best part is that you should have more than enough time to visit all the areas of the park if you plan your time well.
Carousel Plaza
You can’t miss Carousel Plaza because it’s the entrance to the park. It’s nestled between Hometown Square and Orleans Place and is an excellent introduction to the park. This area features a 1978 model of the park when it belonged to Marriott, plenty of food stands for fried goodies, and gift shops to visit on your way out.
Orleans Place
As the name might suggest, this area is themed after New Orleans, Louisiana, and is one of the original parts of the theme park. It is designed to resemble the French Quarter and features jazz music, Cajun food, and fun rides that have New Orleans-inspired names. Appropriately, it is connected to the Mardi Gras area since that celebration happens annually in New Orleans.
Hometown Square
Hometown Square is a Midwestern town as it would’ve looked at the turn of the 20th Century. It’s one of the most famous in the park because it’s based on one of the original ideas for the park. The square has several shops, food stalls, and carnival rides you’d see at a typical hometown fair. You’ll love the welcoming atmosphere and small-town carnival vibes.
In addition to these features, Hometown Square has two show venues, one of which is outdoor. You can check the website or their physical program to see showtimes when you need to rest your feet but still want to experience what the park offers.
Hometown Park
You’ll find Hometown Park inside of Hometown Square. It’s been around since the park’s opening in the late 1970s. The area reopened in 2016 for the celebration of the park’s 40th anniversary.
Three rides from the original park give it a retro theme while emphasizing the small town Midwestern aesthetic that has made this area so popular with visitors.
Southwest Territory
The Southwest Territory park area is connected to County Fair and Hometown Square. It has a Wild West theme, so you’ll feel like you’re walking through an old movie with its decor and rides. Several shops and carnival games are available, as are multiple dining options.
Metropolis Plaza
The Metropolis Plaza is the smallest but arguably one of the most popular spots at Six Flags Great America.
Unlike much of the theme park, Metropolis Plaza revolves around the DC Comic universe. It opened in 2016 and lets you get up close with your favorite comic book characters.
Metropolis Plaza is one of two areas at Six Flags with a DC theme and features the “Justice League: Battle for Metropolis” interactive dark ride.
County Fair
When you hear about county fairs, your thoughts likely turn to livestock competitions, fried foods, and friendly people. While there aren’t any cows, All the rides, shops, and food stalls here are set up to resemble what you would see at your local county fair in a rural area of the country.
County Fair is vast—the biggest area at Six Flags—and extends far into the back of the theme park. A major attraction in this area is the food court which has several popular options. What’s more, if you’re looking for a more leisurely ride, County Fair is one of two stations for the theme park’s scenic railway (the other being Hometown Square).
Yukon Territory
The Yukon Territory in Six Flags Great America is modeled after the stunning Yukon Territory of the forests and mountains that stretch into northwest Canada.
Unsurprisingly, the main themes are gold panning, logging, and prospecting. You’ll find this park area between the DC Universe and the County Fair.
Kidzopolis
While Six Flags Great America has attractions for all ages, Kidzopolis was made just for the little ones in your group.
Kidzopolis is in front of the American Eagle ride entrance. It was initially the Wiggles World, and you’ll find plenty of kid-friendly rides appropriate for children of varying heights. The rides are easy and slow-spinning that don’t go upside down.
There’s much to see and do here, so be prepared for some resistance from your children when it’s time to get lunch or leave for the night.
Camp Cartoon
Camp Cartoon is a subsection of the Yukon Territory. It was initially added as Camp Cartoon Network in 1998 but was later shortened to its current name. Despite the name, the rides had a specific focus on Hannah-Barbera shows.
In 2017, Six Flags decided to remove all Hannah-Barbera characters and replace them with generic cartoon characters that lacked copyright. While they are not iconic like Scooby Doo and Yogi Bear, kids go crazy for the fun characters at Camp Cartoon.
DC Universe
The DC Universe was previously Yankee Harbor, based on Cape Cod. It was one of the park’s original areas but adopted a DC theme in 2022 to generate more interest in Six Flags.
You’ll find most of the roller coasters in this area and plenty of references to the DC Universe and its legendary characters. In addition, there are themed eateries based on the worlds of Batman, Superman, and The Flash.
Mardi Gras
Last but not least is Mardi Gras, which opened in 2004. You’ll find bright green, purple, and yellow colors throughout, making you feel like you’re celebrating the famous event in New Orleans.
It was created by repurposing a section of Orleans Place. Live music and fun rides are plentiful here, so much so that you might forget you’re in Illinois for a little bit.
Places To Eat at the Park
Hopefully, you’ve brought your appetite with you when you visit Six Flags Great America. There’s a food court, sit-down restaurants, and stalls throughout the park, so you’ll never get too hungry or thirsty.
Whether you’re looking for a full meal or something to snack on, this park has you covered, with options that include:
- Antoine’s: Ice cream waffles cones and funnel cake sundaes
- Bourbon Street Cafe: Sandwiches, soda, coffee, desserts, and Frito Lay snacks
- Captain Cold Ice Cream: Ice cream and Dole soft serve
- Blue Ribbon Turkey Legs: Turkey legs and soft pretzels
- Chop Six: Veggie stir fry, beef and broccoli, and other Asian dishes
- Cotton Candy Factory: Cotton candy, popcorn, and ICEE
- Fiesta Fries Cantina: Walking tacos, quesadillas, and chicken strips
- Claim Jumper Chicken: Fried chicken, cornbread, and mashed potatoes with gravy
- Go Fresh Cafe: Flatbreads, veggie burgers, and salads
- JB’s Barbeque and Sports Bar: Burgers, nachos, wings, and deep-fried Oreos
There are several snack places throughout the park, typically named with the park area’s name, followed by snacks. These offer patrons popcorn, nachos, soft pretzels, churros, ice cream, and soda.
In addition, there are two Johnny Rockets: one in Mardi Gras and the other in the County Fair. There are plenty of other restaurants and food stands to explore when you visit Six Flags Great America, with several places featuring similar cuisines and dishes like the ones we mentioned above.
A handful of locations sell alcohol to those over 21 within the park.
Where To Stay Nearby
Unlike other amusement parks with resorts and hotels to offer guests, Six Flags Great America doesn’t. That doesn’t mean there aren’t some great, affordable options near the park. While you can Google search for yourself, here’s a glance at some of the hotels closest to the park and the distance between the two locations:
- WoodSpring Suites: 1.2 miles
- Extended Stay America: 1.2 miles
- La Quinta Inn and Suites: 1.1 miles
- Hampton Inn Gurnee: 0.8 miles
- Country Inn and Suites: 0.8 miles
Final Thoughts
Of the 27 Six Flag parks, visiting Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois, is one of the most memorable experiences to have. It’s only open in certain parts of the year and on weekends during that time, but it’s well worth trying to plan a trip to the theme park.
The tickets are relatively affordable compared to other major theme parks, while there are rides for every type of visitor and those of almost all ages. And, if you work up an appetite, you’ll find the food options here are varied and delicious. Whether you love riding the rides, enjoying the theme park food, or sitting for shows, you can’t miss out on a trip to Six Flags Great America.
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FAQs
How do I prepare for Great America? ›
- Bring sunscreen! California's heat is no joke.
- Bring outerwear for cooler weather. You can keep it in a locker until you wish to wear it.
- Download the California's Great America app on your phone.
- Prioritize preferred rides and attractions.
No outside food, beverages or coolers may be brought into Six Flags Great America. Exceptions are made for guests with special dietary needs including certain food allergies and baby food/formula.
What are you not allowed to bring in great America? ›The following behaviors or acts are not permitted at California's Great America: Carrying firearms, ammunition, knives and weapons of any kind and any other prohibited item. California's Great America reserves the right to prohibit any items at their discretion.
Can you take a backpack into Great America? ›Yes you can, there are lockers available for if you go on the rides, and in some rides there are places to leave your stuff.
Can I bring my own food to Great America? ›May I bring my own food and beverages into the park? No outside food, beverages or coolers are allowed to be brought into California's Great America. However, guests with special dietary needs are permitted to bring outside food and drink.
What should I pack for Six Flags? ›- Small backpack or bag.
- Valid ID.
- Cash/credit cards.
- Sunglasses.
- Sunscreen.
- Hat.
- Towel (for the water park)
Weekdays except Fridays are the best days, and you should not need to buy a Flash Pass on those days to enjoy a lot of rides. On Fridays, weekends and holidays you might want to buy Flash Passes.
Can you use cash at Great America? ›At California's Great America, we want you to have an AMAZING time with your friends and family. That's why we've moved to all cashless payments throughout the park. Simply swipe or tap your credit card, debit card or smart device with Apple Pay or Google Pay where you would normally use cash.
Can I wear a fanny pack on rides at Six Flags? ›Typically any loose items including a fanny pack will not be allowed to be worn on the actual ride at Six Flags. This is done for your safety as well as the safety of the other visitors.
Can you bring a Hydroflask in Six Flags? ›No outside beverages are permitted.
Do you need a swimsuit for Great America? ›
To participate in water park attractions, appropriate swimwear is required.
What are the busiest days at Great America? ›Weekends, especially Saturdays, attract more tourists and vacationers. The Halloween event tends to be more manageable earlier in the season, especially in September. Sundays and Fridays are least crowded, while Saturdays attract bigger crowds and longer lines. WinterFest tends to be less crowded earlier in the season.
What days are least busy in Great America? ›Weekdays (Monday-Friday) are historically least crowded during the summer season in June, July, and August. Weekends attract more tourists and vacationers.
What age is good for Great America? ›What is the California's Great America Pre-K Pass? California's Great America offers kids ages 3-5 years old a free Pre-K Pass.
Can I bring a tote bag into Six Flags? ›All bags, including backpacks and purses, can't be any bigger than 12 x 12 x 6. inches. Diaper bags and bags used for medical reasons will be excluded from this rule. “Because Six Flags is a family Park, we expect Guests to behave appropriately.
What do you wear to Great America? ›Wear comfortable, broken-in shoes. Wear cotton clothing: it is light and dries quickly on water rides such as Whitewater Falls and Rip Roaring Rapids. You may want to bring an extra pair of dry socks. Pocket knives and metal chains, regardless of size, are not permitted inside the park.
Can you wear Crocs at Six Flags? ›Can You Wear Crocs To Six Flags. There is no dress code at Six Flags, so you can wear whatever you feel comfortable in. Crocs are a popular choice for theme park guests because they are easy to slip on and off and are comfortable to walk in.
Should I wear shorts to Six Flags? ›Guests should wear a cover-up or shirt/top and shorts/pants over their bathing suits while enjoying the theme park. As a general rule, when visiting Six Flags America, Guests should avoid clothing that may be considered inappropriate for our family-friendly environment.
Can you bring edibles into Six Flags? ›The Six Flags food policy is crystal clear. No food, beverages, or coolers may be brought into the park. If you bring your lunch in a bag or cooler to save money, you'll have to use the picnic area in the parking lot.
Can you walk around with alcohol at Six Flags? ›No outside alcoholic beverages are allowed into the Six Flags property nor allowed in or out of the admission gates, including the guest parking lot.
How do you carry your phone at Six Flags? ›
You can store your cell phones and other belongings in the cabinets six flags has placed by the rides and some rides have secured pouch attached the seat in front of you.
Can you keep your phone in your pocket at Six Flags? ›"Our ride safety policy strictly prohibits loose articles, including cell phones, on all rides and attractions. Lockers and storage pouches are available for guests to secure personal items while riding.
Can you bring a backpack on a Six Flags ride? ›Bags aren't allowed on most of the rides at Six Flags Magic Mountain, so if you're carrying a purse or backpack around the park, you'll have to either leave it in a cubby (risking theft) or pay for a locker whenever you go on a ride.
What is the slowest day at Six Flags? ›Weekdays (Monday-Friday) are historically least crowded during the summer season in June, July, and August. Weekends attract more tourists and vacationers.
What is the slowest day to go to Six Flags? ›Weekdays (Monday-Thursday) are historically least crowded during the summer season in June, July, and August.
What day is 6 flags the least busy? ›Weekdays in April, May, September, October, November, and December are typically the least busy days. Always research for special events and concerts that may be going on that can cause abnormally large crowds (the park is especially busy during spring break).
How much is parking at Great America? ›Off-street parking rates are between $3-$5/1 hour. Rates for 24 hour parking vary even greater.
Is Great America plus size friendly? ›Due to rider restraint system requirements, guests of a larger size may not be accommodated on some of our rides. This may apply, but not be limited to, guests who exceed 6'2" or those who exceed 225 pounds, have a 40" waistline or 52" chest.
Does Great America need ID? ›A Platinum Pass ID Card is required for admission at all times. If a Platinum Pass is lost, stolen or forgotten, the ID card can be replaced (only at park of issue) for a non-refundable replacement fee, or a regular park admission ticket may be purchased at full gate price. Unauthorized resale is prohibited.
Can you wear a backpack on a roller coaster? ›You just bring your backpacks on the ride with you. Many of the thrill rides have pouches inside the ride vehicles that are meant to be safe holding places for your belongings.
What should I wear on a roller coaster? ›
Loose fitting tank tops and t-shirts are perfect for warm days, while t-shirts with jackets or hoodies are better on cooler days. Sports bras are also recommended attire for amusement parks because they are comfortable and they are built for being active.
Can you wear a small bag on a roller coaster? ›Wear a fanny pack or use a VERY secure pocket that zips closed. The coasters are intense. A cross body bag would make it very difficult to secure the harnesses on the rides. Plus it would likely fly up and smack you in the face.
Can you bring an empty water bottle into Six Flags Over Texas? ›No outside food, beverages or coolers are allowed to be brought into Six Flags Over Texas.
Can you bring water bottles into amusement parks? ›"Guests are welcome to bring bottles, cups and mugs into the theme parks provided that they are not glass containers and they do not bring alcohol into the theme parks.
What is the weight limit for Great America? ›Maximum Weight – 230lb. per rider. An individual lap bar and a between-the-legs safety clip secures each rider.
What time is Six Flags the busiest? ›The entrances to Six Flags Great America can get very busy in the peak summer months of July and August, especially right at park opening times (10 a.m.-11 a.m.). Try to arrive earlier in the morning to avoid back-ups.
What days are busy at Six Flags America? ›Six flags over texas crowd calendar - Weekends attract more tourists and vacationers. Wednesday and tuesday are often the best days to go for shorter queues, while saturday and sunday tend to be the busiest.
How deep is the pool at Great America? ›Rider Safety Information. Tide Pool: This is a gentle, relaxing family pool with water features and a water depth up to 36 in.
What are all the rides at Six Flags Great America? ›Six Flags Great America
What days are theme parks the least busy? ›Weekdays are always better than weekends, and school holidays are always the worst. If you're heading to a Disney or Universal park, check the crowd calendar at touringplans.com.
How fast is drop zone Great America? ›
Before another thought can enter your brain, the ride releases and you drop -- you plunge -- you are completely emptied into a free fall of 20 stories in 3.5 seconds, reaching frenetic speeds of up to 60 miles per hour before the brakes kick in and – did that really happen?
What is the least busy day at Great America? ›Sundays and Fridays are least crowded, while Saturdays attract bigger crowds and longer lines.
What is the best day of the week to go to Great America? ›Weekdays (Monday-Friday) are historically least crowded during the summer season in June, July, and August. Weekends attract more tourists and vacationers.
Can you wear a fanny pack on rides at Great America? ›Due to the nature of our rides, backpacks, purses, electronics, stuffed animals and other loose items are not permitted on most rides. Glasses must be secured. Smaller items may be secured in cargo pockets or waist packs as long as they do not interfere with the restraint system.