Western New York isn’t just about waterfalls and wine trails — it’s also home to some serious amusement parks. And from towering drops to first-time spins, there are attractions to deliver heart-pounding thrills for every adrenaline threshold.
Because area parks are designed for family fun, CITY rounded up the wildest adult coasters alongside the best kid-sized adrenaline trainers to create the ultimate Rochester area thrill ride bucket list for all ages — whether it’s a kid’s first coaster-moment or an adult reliving that first time.
Jack Rabbit, Whirlwind and Bear Trax
Seabreeze Amusement Park, Rochester seabreeze.com
First up is Seabreeze Amusement Park, the locally grown headliner. With its compact layout, combo waterpark, free parking, picnic-friendly policy and laid-back vibe, Seabreeze is a go-to fun spot for Rochester-area families. For grown-up adrenaline junkies, the Jack Rabbit is a must. This wooden legend has been screaming since 1920 and still delivers airtime, drops and old-school charm that makes the stomach flip. Kids 48-inches tall and up can ride, too, and around Rochester, finally hitting that magic height is a rite of passage. Grab the “Finally 48” sticker and hop aboard. Whirlwind, a mid-level spinning steel coaster, lives up to its name, whipping riders through twists, drops and dizzying curves with forces coming from every direction. For younger daredevils, Bear Trax is the kid-friendly coaster that packs pint-sized thrills with just enough twists and drops to keep the squeals coming. This seaside park has been family-run since the 1800s, and in 2025 celebrates its 147th season — still serving up classic thrills with a side of French’s mustard and hot-off-the-grill Zweigle’s hot dogs.
Ride of Steel, Hoot ’N’ Holler
Six Flags Darien Lake, Darien Center sixflags.com/darienlake
With everything from motorbike launches and loop-de-loops to waterslides and summer concerts, Darien Lake is an easy day trip from Rochester — and a total scream at any age. Big thrills? Buckle up. Ride of Steel is the crown jewel of Darien Lake and one of the tallest coasters east of the Mississippi. This steel beast climbs 208 feet before diving into a high-speed rush of airtime hills, smooth banks and topping over 75 mph. It’s a must-ride for seasoned scream seekers who like their loops long and their drops deep. For the coaster rookies, Hoot ’N’ Holler offers just the right dose of speed and swoop. Designed for little thrill-chasers who are ready to graduate from the kiddie rides, this junior coaster delivers quick dips, tiny turns, and shrieks of delight.
The Launch
Bristol Mountain Aerial Adventures, Canandaigua, bristolmountainaerialadventures.com
Strap in and brace for liftoff. The Launch at Bristol Mountain catapults thrill-seekers 63 feet into the sky — above the forest canopy — while pulling up to 3.8 Gs of force. It’s a heart-pounding ride for older kids, teens and grown-up adventurers, and pairs perfectly with the onsite aerial adventure park, which features kid-friendly climbing elements, bridges and zip lines scaled for younger explorers. Located in the scenic Finger Lakes, Bristol Mountain is a fun destination for families seeking sky-high entertainment.
Sky High Mountain Coaster
Holiday Valley Resort, Ellicottville, holidayvalley.com
Get ready for a wild ride down the mountain — on rails. The Sky Flyer Mountain Coaster buckles riders into a two-person car that zigzags and spirals through the trees, dropping and twisting like a low-to-the-ground roller coaster. Riders control the speed with hand brakes, so they can ease into the turns or let gravity do its thing. The coaster is one of several add-on adventures at Sky High Aerial Adventure Park, and with 13 treetop courses rated like ski trails (think yellow for beginners, up to Black Diamond), it’s the kind of place that rewards repeat visits. Try a few, then come back later to up the thrill.
Nor’Easter
Greek Peak Mountain Resort, Cortland, greekpeak.net
Part alpine slide, part roller coaster ride, the Nor’easter Mountain Coaster zigzags downhill at up to 28 mph, with steep dips and swooping turns that bring the mountain thrills year-round. Children as young as three years old can ride with a parent, making it a rare scream machine the whole family can enjoy. Want more altitude? Soar on the Zip Line Tour from platform to platform on a guided canopy flight, with four zips ranging from 300 to 1,165 feet long.
Jackie Perrin is a contributor to CITY.
This article appears in Dec 1-31, 2024.
