For the first time, my family purchased Kennywood season tickets. For my kids, the very idea that we could go to Kennywood anytime they want has been thrilling — and we live close enough to the park that we can pop over for a couple of hours when we don’t have anything else planned. Here’s what Kennywood tips I’ve learned so far…

Tips for a Family’s First Trip to Kennywood

Spring for Parking

Ordinarily, I try to take advantage of any free parking option — a habit born in my broke college days. But on a recent trip to Kennywood, my family got caught in driving rain and high winds, prompting a run for the car … which was parked in the uppermost lot. On prior trips, it’s worked out very well for one parent to wait with the kids at the end of the day while the other climbs the mountain for the car. But in a cloudburst, no one wanted to wait — we all ran together. I would prefer for that run to be a shorter distance next time.

Take a Picture… For Safety

Yes, you’re going to Kennywood, not Disney World, so the chance of your child disappearing into a huge crowd is slim. But on our last trip, my oldest two kids sprinted ahead for Spinvasion; by the time my husband and I arrived at the ride with our younger two in the stroller, there was no sight of them. In the panic-stricken two minutes it took them to circle around the Kangaroo and appear in front of us, I found myself trying to remember what color shirts they were wearing. My children hate me for this, but every time we enter the park, I make them stop in front of the entrance carousel horse and take a family photo, just for peace of mind. Which brings me to …

Be Aware of Kennywood’s New Rules

This summer, no child under the age of 15 can roam the park without a way to contact their chaperone, who must remain in the park at all times. My tweens don’t have cell phones, so I remind them they’re risking real consequences when they bolt ahead of me for a ride and take a wrong turn. 

Pack Snacks and Water

This is obvious from a money-saving perspective — but more importantly, having your own snacks and drinks on hand means you’re not wasting time in long lines because one kid decided they were starving (even though they weren’t hungry when you passed that snack booth with no line 20 minutes ago). Having the cooler is a must. On a hot day, no one wants the lukewarm water in the bottle you typically carry around — they want something that’s cold in ice. My husband and I swear we will never venture into Kennywood with our kids without their stroller, if only because it becomes a holding spot for the cooler. (Potato Patch fries are obviously an exception. Worth the wait.)

Go on a Weekday

Better yet, go on a weekday where there’s a rain forecast. The cloudy, weekday trips we’ve taken so far this summer have been packed with thrill rides — because the Phantom’s Revenge, the Thunderbolt and even Raging Rapids had minimal lines. And with Kennywood’s rain policy, if bad weather does close the park, you have the possibility of getting a rainy day pass to come back on another overcast day and do it all over again.

Looking to make your experience even more special? Try Kennywood the TABLE way with a fun food scavenger hunt. Or, check out their Phantom Fall Fest and Holiday Lights events throughout the year.

Story by Lauren Davidson
Photography by Kylie Thomas

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