Highlights

• Two world-class wooden coasters: Raven and The Legend
• Raging Rapids, with its flooded Old West town themeing, is among parkdom's best river raft rides
• An off-season audience with Santa Claus
• Food: Roasted corn on the cob at ZOOMbabwe Grille, spiral-cut chips at The Potato Patch, Udderly Blue Ice Cream

One of the few remaining privately owned and operated theme parks, Holiday World is loaded with charm, attention to detail, incredibly courteous and friendly staff members, impeccably clean grounds, and other features that corporate parks often can't match. A family park in the truest sense of the term, the Indiana themer foregoes the mega-thrill rides and hyped-up atmosphere of its teen-targeting competitors for a more laid-back and gentler experience.

That's not to say that Holiday World doesn't deliver great rides. In fact, its two wooden roller coasters rank among the best in the world. But there is plenty for younger kids to love about the place, and moms and dads appreciate the park's family-friendly perks: free parking, free entry to the Splashin' Safari waterpark with admission, and reasonable food prices. Everyone appreciates the industry-defying benefit: unlimited complimentary soft drinks

Originally a Christmas-themed park, Holiday World now includes areas themed to Halloween and the Fourth of July as well. Kids can still sit on Santa's lap, and some of the park's original rides endure; it would be nice, however, if even more remnants from the park's 1940s origins remained to help preserve Holiday World's authentic nostalgia.

Located off the beaten path in southern Indiana, Holiday World is worth the trip for coaster fans, theme park lovers, and families seeking a great vacation destination.

Photo: (C) 2002 Arthur Levine, licensed to About.com, Inc.