2 of the Top 10 Roller Coasters in America Are Near Michigan
If you are a fan of roller coasters, here are America's top 10, and 2 of them are near Michigan.
Roller Coasters
Ever since I was a kid, I have loved riding roller coasters. Living in Michigan most of my life, I have always been close to Cedar Point but have made a few trips to Kings Island. My senior trip had me in Florida at Disney World back when Space Mountain was the big deal. When I toured back in the day, I hit all of the Six Flags and a few other parks over the years. While living in Indiana and being not too far from Gurnee, Illinois, I have made a few extra trips to Six Flags Great America. So you can say I have been on a few roller coasters in my day.
I did some digging and found the top 10 roller coasters that are scattered all across America and found that my two favorites made the top 10. If you are a coaster junkie like me, below are some places you may have not been yet to ride a top ride.
Top 10 Roller Coasters In America
Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
Coming in at number 10 is Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure which is at Universal Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Florida.
Hagrid is an immersive roller coaster that is Harry Potter-themed where you ride a motorcycle with a sidecar into the Forbidden Forest beyond the grounds of Hogwarts castle.
There are seven launches on this coaster and that is the most of any coaster in the world.
Millennium Force
Cedar Point's Millennium Force comes in at number 9. This is one of my personal favorites because it's so smooth, fast, and gives you every thrill possible and you don't feel all banged up when you get off.
Millennium Force travels at 93 mph the first drop is at 310 feet and lasts about 2 minutes long. This coaster is not just one of the top 10 in America but also one of the best steel coasters in the world.
The Voyage at Holiday World comes in at number 8 and represents the wooden coasters. I find these are a bit rougher to ride but many people crave the old-school coasters and this is one of the best.
Located in Santa Claus, Indiana, the Voyage is one of the steepest wooden coasters that give you 24.3 seconds of zero-G (weightlessness). There are five underground tunnels on this ride which is more than any other coaster in the world. The ride is a mile long making it one of the longest and fastest wooden coasters in the world.
Montu
The Montu is an inverted coaster that is at Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida. The Montu is number 7 on the list and if you like going upside down, this is the coaster for you. This ride features seven inversions that include a twisting drop, a 60-foot vertical loop, a simultaneous loop, and a roll that is absolutely sick. The Montu has a G-force of 3.85 with a 104-foot tall loop and reaches 60 miles per hour.
Steel Vengeance
I was lucky enough to ride the Steel Vengeance at Cedar Point for the first time last summer with my son. This was his favorite coaster of the day and was one of my top two but let me tell you this is a beast of a coaster.
Steel Vengeance comes in at number 6 and it replaced another old favorite of mine the Mean Streak which was an incredible wooden coaster but a rougher ride.
Steel Vengeance is the world's tallest and fastest hybrid coaster with a 90-degree drop that is 205 feet deep. The coaster travels at 74 mph and lasts about 2 minutes and 30 seconds. It features 4 inversions and is 5,740 feet long. You get close to 30 seconds of airtime on this baby.
Lightning Rod
The Lightning Rod is located in Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. This coaster features a 1950s hot rod theme and travels at 73 mph. This wooden beast features a 165-foot drop giving you 20 seconds of airtime. If you are looking for a thrill in Tennessee, the Lightning Rod is it.
Fury 325
You have to travel to Charlotte, North Carolina, to Carowinds Amusement Park to ride the Fury 325 and it looks like it is worth the trip. The Fury comes in at number 4, and is the world's tallest and fastest "Giga coaster," it has a 325-foot drop and travels 95 mph and in one section of the ride, you go underground to get under a bridge. The 325-foot hill comes with an 81-degree drop, plus there is a 190-foot tall barrel turn that will make you question the meaning of life. One on this ride there is no getting off the 1.25-mile track and lasts for 3.25 minutes.
Phoenix
The Phoenix comes in at number 3 of the top coasters in America. You will find this coaster at Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, Pennsylvania. The Phoenix is a classic wooden roller coaster that is very old school for coaster purists.
The Phoenix is not the biggest, fastest, or even the newest in coaster technology but coaster fans love this ride. This is a unique coaster that features upwards acceleration and a "couple out and back" layout. This ride comes with a view of the surrounding hills but only a top speed of 45 mph.
Phantoms Revenge
We return to Pennsylvania for the number 2 coaster that is located at Kennywood Amusement Park. Phantom's Revenge has two major drops while traveling 85 mph. The ride takes you very close to a nearby ride called the Thunderbolt and both times you think you are going to hit it. Most coaster's big drop is on the first hill but the Phantom Revenge has its 232-foot drop on the second hill. The Phantom is a steel coaster that was once the fastest coaster in the world that will still make you scream on its 3,365 feet of track.
Mako
The Mako rounds out the number 1 slot of top coasters. You can find the Mako in Florida, at SeaWorld Orlando. The Mako is 200 feet tall and moves at 73 mph. This is one coaster that remains fast until the park hits the breaks upon its return.
I have ridden a lot of coasters and the Mako is not as tall or fast as the Millennium Force but it's almost an identical ride from start to finish and fans love it.