Cast Your Vote: Six Flags Parks Nominated in USA Today's 10Best Awards

What Are the USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice Awards?

Every year, USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards celebrate the best attractions, experiences, and destinations across North America — and the winners are decided entirely by you! Each category’s nominations are carefully picked by a panel of theme park & travel experts, so each list of nominees truly includes the best of the best. When the voting window opens, it’s up to you to vote for your favorite coasters, waterparks, restaurants, and more!

Six Flags parks across North America are consistently recognized by USA Today for delivering unforgettable experiences year after year, and we need your help to bring home the wins. This blog is your go-to hub for up-to-date nominations and voting opportunities, so be sure to check back regularly — we’ll be updating this page throughout the year to make voting for your favorite parks easy as a simple tap or click.

Continue reading to learn everything you need to know about USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards and Six Flags’ nominations.

Current Six Flags Nominations for USA Today’s 10Best Awards

Six Flags parks are known for world-class roller coasters, family-friendly fun, and unforgettable experiences. Below, you'll find every current USA Today 10Best Reader’s Choice Awards nomination organized by park, complete with voting links to make supporting your favorites quick and easy.

Remember that voting ends Wednesday, April 20 at noon ET — you can vote once per day in each category, so bookmark this page and check back often to support your park!

Carowinds & Carolina Harbor

Charlotte, NC

Located on the border of North and South Carolina, Carowinds is home to a lineup of incredible roller coasters and family-friendly attractions — it's where the Carolinas come together.

Fury 325 — Best Roller Coaster

Winner of nine Golden Ticket Awards since its launch in 2015, Fury 325 delivers a 325-foot drop and exhilarating speeds up to 95mph — feel the sting!

Vote for Fury 325 in Best Roller Coaster

Carolina Harbor — Best Outdoor Waterpark

Included with your Carowinds admission, Carolina Harbor is home to a wave pool, lazy river, and six-story slide tower, plus kid-friendly lagoons and an all-new, adults-only swim-up bar.

Vote for Carolina Harbor in Best Outdoor Waterpark

Coastal Currents — Best Lazy River

With a laid-back current, refreshing water features, and beautiful Carolina landscaping, this thousand-foot-long lazy river is perfect for summer days.

Vote for Coastal Currents in Best Lazy River

Cedar Point & Cedar Point Shores

Sandusky, Ohio

Cedar Point has remained one of North America’s premier thrill destinations for more than 150 years. It’s truly a Place Like No Other®, right on the Lake Erie shore.

Cedar Point— Best Theme Park

Known as The Roller Coaster Capital of the World®, Cedar Point is the second oldest continually operated park in North America. With its quintessential coasters, beautiful beaches & boardwalks, and loads of kid-friendly rides, there’s a reason Cedar Point is classic.

Vote for Cedar Point in Best Theme Park

Maverick — Best Roller Coaster

Featuring its signature “Twisted Horseshoe Roll” and a beyond-vertical, 95-degree drop, Maverick is a bucking bronco of a coaster that promises a ride wilder than a rodeo!

Vote for Maverick in Best Roller Coaster

Steel Vengeance — Best Roller Coaster

Formerly known as Mean Streak, this world-renowned coaster became Steel Vengeance in 2018. Combining steel track with wooden supports, it became the world’s first hybrid hypercoaster and an instant Cedar Point classic.

Vote for Steel Vengeance in Best Roller Coaster

Castaway Bay — Best Indoor Waterpark

Located just a few minutes from Cedar Point, Castaway Bay is a Caribbean-themed waterpark resort that’s perfect for families and splash-seekers of all ages.

Vote for Castaway Bay in Best Indoor Waterpark

BackBeatQue— Best Theme Park Restaurant

Offering real-deal barbeque, this smokehouse serves up hickory-smoked ribs, house-made mac ‘n cheese and more to keep you fueled up for fun at Cedar Point.

Vote for BackBeatQue in Best Theme Park Restaurant

Hotel Breakers— Best Theme Park Hotel

Take advantage of a full-service beachfront bar, two outdoor pools, fire pits and more at this comfortable beachfront resort just steps outside Cedar Point & Cedar Point Shores.

Vote for Hotel Breakers in Best Theme Park Hotel

Six Flags Darien Lake

Corfu, NY

Nestled in picturesque western New York, Six Flags Darien Lake offers all-day excitement with three themed areas for kids, seven heart-pounding coasters, and lodging & camping options you won’t find anywhere else.

Lodge on the Lake — Best Theme Park Hotel

Capture unforgettable memories with the family at the Lodge on the Lake — with camping, cabins, and roller coasters right next door, it’s bound to be an unforgettable stay.

Vote for Lodge on the Lake in Best Theme Park Hotel

Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom

Allentown, PA

Since 1884, Dorney Park has been one of Pennsylvania’s premier destinations for family-friendly fun — with more than 60 rides, shows and attractions plus a world-class waterpark, it’s easy to see why families keep coming back!

Runaway River — Best Lazy River

With peaceful stretches of serene water and gentle rapids, Runaway River at Wildwater Kingdom is relaxing, entertaining, refreshing and fun.

Vote for Runaway River in Best Lazy River

Wave Pool at Wildwater Kingdom — Best Wave Pool

This classic wave pool holds more than 560,000 gallons of water and spans the length of a football field (go Eagles!) — cycling through five minutes of waves at a time, the wave pool at Wildwater Kingdom is the perfect blend of excitement and relaxation.

Vote for Wave Pool at Wildwater Kingdom in Best Wave Pool

Six Flags Fiesta Texas & Hurricane Harbor

San Antonio, TX

Built into a former limestone quarry, Six Flags Fiesta Texas features thrilling coasters that wind through the park’s truly unforgettable setting, plus a waterpark perfect for beating the Texas heat.

Six Flags Fiesta Texas — Best Theme Park

With its breathtaking location & landscaping, loads of live entertainment and a world-renowned lineup of incredible coasters, Fiesta Texas is a true highlight of the San Antonio region and one of the best family-friendly experiences that Texas can offer.

Vote for Six Flags Fiesta Texas in Best Theme Park

Thunder Rapids — Best Water Coaster

Featuring five uphill blasts, four spiraling turns, and a steep enclosed plunge, Thunder Rapids uses innovative propulsion technology to get your heart pumping through the entire ride!

Vote for Thunder Rapids in Best Water Coaster

Six Flags Great Adventure & Hurricane Harbor

Jackson, NJ

The world's ultimate thrill park combines record-breaking roller coasters, family fun, and the Wild Safari drive-through animal park for a truly unforgettable adventure.

El Toro — Best Roller Coaster

As one of the tallest & fastest wooden coasters in the world, El Toro is known for its powerful forces and quintessential airtime hills. This woodie is a one-of-a-kind coaster that boasts an old school style and delivers thrills that feel new every single ride.

Vote for El Toro in Best Roller Coaster

Six Flags Great America & Hurricane Harbor

Gurnee, IL

Experience the thrill capital of the Midwest with endless excitement for the entire family. Six Flags Great America is home to 17 incredible roller coasters, spectacular live shows, and classic waterpark fun at Hurricane Harbor.

Tsunami Surge — Best Water Coaster

This twisting, surging water coaster features 950 feet of enclosed tunnels that sprawl around Hurricane Harbor. Using powerful water jets, Tsunami Surge propels you up steep inclines and down plummeting drops at speeds up to 28 miles per hour!

Vote for Tsunami Surge in Best Water Coaster

Kings Dominion & Soak City

Doswell, VA

Unforgettable adventures await at Kings Dominion, Virginia’s ultimate destination for fun! Conquer the skies on the world’s tallest & longest launched wing coaster — Rapterra — and enjoy live entertainment, delicious food, plus splash-filled fun at Soak City.

Grain & Grill — Best Theme Park Restaurant

Enjoy delicious mix-and-match proteins and sides made from locally sourced ingredients, plus a curated selection of signature cocktails, wines and beers. A healthier option should still be scrumptious, and that’s exactly what you get at Grain & Grill.

Vote for Grain & Grill in Best Theme Park Restaurant

Paradise Plunge— Best Water Slide

Take the plunge and prepare to plummet down a near-vertical fall — Paradise Plunge will send you zooming along multiple curves at high speeds that culminate in a huge splashdown. If you’re a splash-seeker, this is paradise!

Vote for Paradise Plunge in Best Water Slide

Kings Island & Soak City

Mason, OH

Just north of Cincinnati, Kings Island is home to legendary coasters, a built-for-kids area recognized as one of the best in the world, and Soak City waterpark for classic summertime splashes and relaxation.

Kings Island — Best Theme Park

Bring the family to one of America’s can’t-miss parks where roller coasters are king — plus, enjoy tons of family-friendly shows, food, and attractions including the long-awaited return of Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare in 2026!

Vote for Kings Island in Best Theme Park

Knott’s Berry Farm & Knott’s Soak City

Buena Park, CA

Originally a roadside Boysenberry stand in 1920s-era Buena Park, Knott’s Berry Farm today is one of the world’s most visited and beloved theme parks. Featuring over 40 rides, an abundance of Boysenberry-inspired food & drink, and classic waterpark thrills, Knott’s is full of family-fun and unmistakable California character.

Knott’s Berry Farm — Best Theme Park

Thanks to its roots as a family-run farm, Knott’s Berry Farm is one of the most beloved theme parks in North America, especially when it comes to dining, drinks, culture, and entertainment — and its collection of rides & attractions is exceptional, too!

Vote for Knott’s Berry Farm in Best Theme Park

GhostRider — Best Roller Coaster

Towering over the Ghost Town region of Knott’s, GhostRider is the longest, tallest, and fastest wooden coaster on the West Coast. Thanks to track refurbishments in 2016, the new trains rumble smoothly down the track over 14 air-time hills and more than 4,500 feet of twisting timber.

Vote for GhostRider in Best Roller Coaster

Prop Shop Pizzeria — Best Theme Park Restaurant

Serving up scrumptious, artisanal pies (with a side of Hollywood magic), Prop Shop Pizzeria sources fresh ingredients to create mouth-watering flavor combinations you need to taste to believe.

Vote for Prop Shop Pizzeria in Best Theme Park Restaurant

Sunset River — Best Lazy River

If you’re looking to slow things down at Knott’s Soak City, look no further than the stunning Sunset River — winding past waterfalls and beneath shaded bridges, this lazy river is the best way to experience California-cool atmosphere at Knott’s.

Vote for Sunset River in Best Lazy River

Tidal Wave Bay — Best Wave Pool

Feel the refreshing rhythm of coastal waters during your trip to Knott’s with Tidal Wave Bay! Whether you’re riding the waves or relaxing at the shoreline, it’s a classic wave pool experience done right.

Vote for Tidal Wave Bay in Best Wave Pool

Six Flags Magic Mountain & Hurricane Harbor

Valencia, CA

Known as the “Thrill Capital of the World,” no park in the Americas features more coasters than Magic Mountain — every day at the park is a non-stop showcase of record-breaking thrills, spectacular entertainment, and fun in the California sun.

Twisted Colossus — Best Roller Coaster

Combining the best parts of wood and steel, Twisted Colossus is the ultimate hybrid roller coaster, and one of the longest in the world. Elements like its zero-G roll, its 116-foot drop and many airtime hills keep this coaster a modern classic at Magic Mountain.

Vote for Twisted Colossus in Best Roller Coaster

Hurricane Harbor Los Angeles — Best Outdoor Waterpark

Having recently celebrated its 30th anniversary, Hurricane Harbor Los Angeles is newly reimagined and better than ever — just ask Amusement Today, who recognized the park with its Turnstile Award in 2025 for the massive improvements.

Vote for Hurricane Harbor Los Angeles in Best Outdoor Waterpark

Bonzai Pipelines — Best Water Slide

Fast, furious, and packed full of adrenaline, Bonzai Pipelines provides thrill-seekers with high-speed drops and crazy moments of weightlessness. It’s a guest-favorite for a reason.

Vote for Bonzai Pipelines in Best Water Slide

Forgotten Sea Wave Pool — Best Wave Pool

With its tropical theme and powerful surf cycles, Forgotten Sea Wave Pool brings beachy vibes to Hurricane Harbor Los Angeles. Perfect for catching waves, kicking back while the kids play, or cooling off in the shallows.

Vote for Forgotten Sea Wave Pool in Best Wave Pool

Six Flags New England & Hurricane Harbor

Agawam, MA

Beautiful riverside scenery meets high-flying adrenaline at Six Flags New England — whether you’re looking for pint-sized thrills or truly towering coasters, you can find it all here on the banks of the Connecticut River.

SUPERMAN™: The Ride — Best Roller Coaster

A true modern classic, SUPERMAN™: The Ride is often considered one of the greatest steel roller coasters ever built. The endlessly re-ridable coaster delivers powerful airtime and smooth, intense forces that every thrill-seeker craves.

Vote for SUPERMAN™: The Ride in Best Roller Coaster

Commotion Ocean — Best Wave Pool

As the centerpiece of Hurricane Harbor New England, Commotion Ocean lives up to its name with huge waves that make a splash. Relax in the summer sun beside the pool or brave the Ocean’s wrath — it’s your call!

Vote for Commotion Ocean in Best Wave Pool

Six Flags Over Georgia & Hurricane Harbor

Austell, GA

Just minutes from downtown Atlanta, Six Flags Over Georgia is the region’s quintessential park, known for its variety of exceptional coasters, unique family-friendly rides, and delicious, dining options you’ll only find in the South.

Firehouse BBQ — Best Theme Park Restaurant

This Southern-inspired smokehouse serves up hearty portions of slow-smoked meats, savory sides, and comfort food done right. Bold flavors and classic barbecue techniques make Firehouse BBQ the perfect spot to fuel up for fun at Over Georgia.

Vote for Firehouse BBQ in Best Theme Park Restaurant

Schlitterbahn New Braunfels Waterpark & Resort

New Braunfels, TX

Natural spring water and unparalleled, beautiful lazy rivers have made Schlitterbahn New Braunfels one of the most iconic waterparks & resorts in the world for more than 20 years in a row. Whether you’re looking to lounge in the sun or make a big splash from one of many towering slides, your next adventure’s waiting in New Braunfels.

Schlitterbahn New Braunfels — Best Outdoor Waterpark

There’s a reason Schlitterbahn is a top bucket list destination for fans of waterparks, relaxation, and splashes — with its resort-style atmosphere and incredible, naturally sourced rivers, Schlitterbahn New Braunfels is the ultimate waterpark experience in North America.

Vote for Schlitterbahn New Braunfels in Best Outdoor Waterpark

Black Knight — Best Water Slide

Plunge into the darkness of the enclosed, high-speed Black Knight, a no-frills water slide designed specifically for adventurers who crave a true burst of adrenaline from their waterpark experience.

Vote for Black Knight in Best Water Slide

Dragon’s Revenge — Best Water Coaster

Combining uphill blasts with thrilling, downward drops, Dragon’s Revenge utilizes immersive thematic elements to tell a one-of-a-kind story. Eerie sound effects and fantastical projections elevate Dragon’s Revenge to legendary status.

Vote for Dragon’s Revenge in Best Water Coaster

Master Blaster Uphill Water Coaster — Best Water Coaster

Defy gravity on Schlitterbahn’s signature six-story water coaster that uses high-powered water jets to propel your raft uphill between the downward drops, creating a completely unique “roller coaster with big splashes” experience you won’t find anywhere else.

Vote for Master Blaster Uphill Water Coaster in Best Water Coaster

Six Flags White Water

Marietta, GA

Just around the corner from Six Flags Over Georgia and home to more than 20 thrilling water rides and slides, Six Flags White Water is the place to be during summer near Atlanta — enjoy massive water slides and rides, relaxing rivers, and more.

Six Flags White Water — Best Outdoor Waterpark

Built specifically for beating the heat, Six Flags White Water is a true summertime escape. With a wide mix of towering slides, family-friendly attractions, and classic waterpark food & drink, there’s something nostalgic about a trip to White Water.

Vote for Six Flags White Water in Best Outdoor Waterpark

Vote for the Best Theme Parks, Coasters, Waterparks & More

From legendary coasters to top-tier waterparks and unforgettable dining, Six Flags parks are taking center stage in this year’s USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, and your votes make all the difference! Support your favorite parks by voting for their nominees in each category every day until the voting window closes.

Voting ends Wednesday, April 20 at noon ET, and remember — you can vote once per day in each category, so bookmark this page and check back often to support your park!