Six Flags Great America
Six Flags Great America, located in Gurnee, Illinois, between Chicago and Milwaukee, is a high-energy theme park packed with intense coasters, water rides, and kid-friendly attractions. With more than a dozen major coasters and a connected water park, it’s one of the Midwest’s premier thrill destinations.
History & Background
The park opened in 1976 as Marriott’s Great America and was designed to celebrate Americana across themed areas. Six Flags acquired it in the 1980s and began introducing coasters, Looney Tunes branding, and DC Comics theming. Today, it remains one of the most visited parks in the chain and is known for pioneering coaster designs and seasonal events like Fright Fest and Holiday in the Park.
Ticket Prices & Packages
One-day admission generally ranges from $55 to $85, depending on the day and availability.
Ticket options include:
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Season Passes and Memberships
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Flash Pass tiers
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Dining and drink add-ons
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Combo tickets including Hurricane Harbor Chicago
Opening Hours & Best Time to Visit
The park operates from April through early January, with different hours for special events.
Typical hours: 10:30 AM to 7:00 PM, extended for summer and holidays.
Best times to visit:
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Weekdays in May or early June
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Mid-September through early October
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Early December for light crowds during Holiday in the Park
Top Rides & Attractions
Goliath – Wooden-steel hybrid coaster with a record-breaking drop
Raging Bull – Smooth, fast hypercoaster with large sweeping curves
Maxx Force – Launches from 0 to 78 mph in under 2 seconds
X-Flight – Wing coaster with near-miss elements and flips
Batman: The Ride – Inverted coaster through Gotham’s skyline
American Eagle – Classic racing wooden coaster
Vertical Velocity (V2) – Launch coaster with spiraling vertical spikes
The Joker – 4D free-fly coaster with unpredictable spins
Family & Kids Rides
Whizzer – Smooth family coaster with low height requirement
Little Dipper – Nostalgic wooden coaster for smaller riders
Camp Cartoon – Themed area with kid-friendly flat rides and characters
Rue Le Dodge – Classic bumper cars
Columbia Carousel – Two-story carousel and park icon
Hurricane Harbor Chicago
Free with admission on most days, Hurricane Harbor features:
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Tsunami Surge – World’s tallest water coaster
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Bahama Mama and Bubba Tubba – Multi-person raft slides
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Monsoon Lagoon – Interactive splash fortress
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Surf Rider – Simulated surfing experience
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Lazy River and wave pool
Open seasonally from late May through Labor Day.
Dining Options
Macho Nacho – Tex-Mex with burritos, nachos, and bowls
Primo’s Pizzeria – Fast and filling pizza and pasta
JB’s Smokehouse BBQ – Southern-style barbecue
Capone’s Kitchen – Italian-American favorites
Snack stands and carts throughout the park offer churros, popcorn, funnel cakes, and ice cream
Dining Passes and All-Day Drink Bottles are widely used and save time and money.
Hotels & Accommodation
No on-site hotels, but Gurnee and the nearby Waukegan and Gurnee Mills areas have many options:
Great Wolf Lodge Illinois – Indoor water park resort less than 5 minutes away
Comfort Inn Gurnee – Affordable and walkable
Hampton Inn & Suites Gurnee – Reliable and family-friendly with free breakfast
Some hotels offer shuttle services and package deals during peak seasons.
Getting There & Parking
Address: 1 Great America Parkway, Gurnee, IL 60031
Located off I-94, about 45 minutes north of downtown Chicago.
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General parking: $35
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Preferred parking: $50
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Bus drop-off and rideshare available
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Shuttle service from nearby hotels in peak season
Tips for Visiting Six Flags Great America
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Head to Maxx Force or Goliath early, before queues build
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Flash Pass is recommended for summer weekends or Fright Fest
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If visiting Hurricane Harbor, bring swimsuits and rent lockers early
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Don’t skip Whizzer — it’s a fun, historic ride for all ages
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Fright Fest and Holiday in the Park are both huge draws — arrive early