100 Things to Do
Family theme park

Jul 13, 2007

Lake Compounce in Bristol refers to itself as America’s first family theme park. It opened in 1846 as a picnic park (carousel, rides and other attractions soon followed). Among the rides are the Thunder Rapids water raft ride; Southington Mountain Sky Ride; Zoomerang, a modern steel roller coaster; Circus World Kiddieland; and a train. A new driving ride this year is Zoomers Gas ’n Go. The family water playground has a 60-foot high lighthouse wrapped with a water slide and Anchor Bay, an 800-foot river with water features. Bumper cars, Giant Ferris Wheel, and Flying Scooters are there, as is the Wildcat wooden coaster, the antique 1911 carousel, and the wooden Boulder Dash Mountain Coaster. One-day passes are $33.95 ($24.95 those under 52" tall, $16.95 for seniors, and free for those 3 and younger); season passes are also available. The park runs on an abbreviated schedule until mid-June; then it is open daily through late August. The park is open weekends in September.