Best Roller Coasters in the US 2023 - Top 10 For Thrill Seekers
by Maivizhi A | Updated May 16, 2023
Best Roller Coasters in the US 2023
Roller coasters have been a staple of amusement parks in the United States for decades, and the year 2023 is shaping up to be an exciting one for thrill-seekers. With new and updated coasters planned for various parks across the country, there is no shortage of options for those looking for an adrenaline rush.
Some of the most highly anticipated coasters for 2023 promise to offer riders a truly unique and exhilarating experience. From innovative designs to breathtaking speeds and drops, these coasters are sure to leave a lasting impression on all who ride them.
In addition to new coasters, many existing rides are being revamped and updated to offer an even more thrilling experience. Park operators are constantly looking for ways to push the limits and provide guests with an unforgettable adventure.
Whether you're a seasoned coaster enthusiast or a newcomer to the world of thrill rides, the best roller coasters in the US in 2023 are sure to provide a heart-pumping, hair-raising experience that you won't soon forget. So hold on tight, and get ready for a wild ride!
Top 10 Roller Coaster in the US 2023
Here is the list of Top 10 Roller Coasters in the US for 2023. We can also give information about the amusement park where the roller coasters are located.
1
Mako
SeaWorld Orlando
2
Phoenix
Knoebels
3
Titan
Six Flags Over Texas
4
Iron Gwazi
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
5
Steel Vengeance
Cedar Point
6
Skyrush
Hersheypark
7
Goliath
Six Flags Over Georgia
8
Phantom's Revenge
Kennywood
9
Kingda Ka
Six Flags Great Adventure
10
Emperor
SeaWorld San Diego
S.No
Roller Coaster
Amusement Park of the Roller Coaster
Let us see each of the rollercoasters in detail.
1. Mako - SeaWorld Orlando
Mako is a hypercoaster located at SeaWorld Orlando in Florida, USA. It opened to the public on June 10, 2016 and was manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard, a Swiss roller coaster design firm. The coaster is named after the mako shark, which is known for its speed and agility.
Mako is 200 feet (61 meters) tall and reaches a maximum speed of 73 miles per hour (117 km/h). It features nine moments of airtime and a total of 4,760 feet (1,450 meters) of track. The ride lasts approximately two minutes and thirty seconds. The coaster has a unique layout that consists of a series of hills, airtime moments, and high-speed turns.
Mako is known for its smooth ride and its ability to provide a thrilling experience without being overly intense. The coaster also features a unique lighting system that illuminates the track at night, creating a visually stunning experience for riders and spectators alike. In addition, SeaWorld Orlando has partnered with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to raise awareness about shark conservation through the Mako roller coaster.
2. Phoenix - Knoebels
Phoenix is a wooden roller coaster located at Knoebels Amusement Resort in Pennsylvania, USA. It opened in 1985 and was designed by Herbert Schmeck, a legendary roller coaster designer. The coaster has won numerous awards and is considered by many to be one of the best wooden coasters in the world.
Phoenix is 78 feet (24 meters) tall and reaches a maximum speed of 45 miles per hour (72 km/h). It features a total of 3,000 feet (914 meters) of track and lasts approximately two minutes. The coaster has a classic out-and-back layout that consists of hills, drops, and airtime moments.
Phoenix is known for its intense airtime and its smooth ride despite being a wooden coaster. It also features a unique double-down element that provides a thrilling sensation for riders. In addition, Knoebels Amusement Resort is known for its affordable prices and family-friendly atmosphere, making Phoenix a popular attraction for all ages.
3. Titan - Six Flags Over Texas
Titan is a steel hypercoaster located at Six Flags Over Texas in Texas, USA. It opened in 2001 and was manufactured by Giovanola, a Swiss roller coaster design firm. The coaster is named after the Titans of Greek mythology, who were known for their immense strength and power.
Titan is 255 feet (78 meters) tall and reaches a maximum speed of 85 miles per hour (137 km/h). It features a total of 5,312 feet (1,619 meters) of track and lasts approximately three minutes. The coaster has a unique layout that includes a 120-foot (37-meter) drop, several airtime moments, and a helix element that creates a feeling of weightlessness for riders.
Titan is known for its intense speed and its ability to provide a thrilling experience for riders. It also features a unique ride experience due to its location within Six Flags Over Texas, which includes views of other attractions and the surrounding area. In addition, the coaster has been featured in numerous television shows and commercials, cementing its status as an iconic attraction at Six Flags Over Texas.
4. Iron Gwazi - Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Iron Gwazi is a hybrid roller coaster located at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in Florida, USA. It was originally set to open in 2020 but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The coaster is made of steel and wood, with a maximum height of 206 feet (63 meters) and a top speed of 76 miles per hour (122 kilometers per hour). Iron Gwazi features three inversions, including a stall element, and a total track length of 4,075 feet (1,242 meters).
The coaster is themed around a mythical creature, the "Iron Gwazi," which is said to be half alligator and half gorilla. The ride experience is designed to mimic the creature's movements, with sharp turns, sudden drops, and quick transitions between elements. Iron Gwazi is also notable for its use of a unique restraint system, which allows riders to experience more airtime and freedom of movement.
5. Steel Vengeance - Cedar Point
Steel Vengeance is a steel roller coaster located at Cedar Point amusement park in Ohio, USA. It opened in 2018 and quickly gained a reputation as one of the most thrilling coasters in the world. Steel Vengeance is a hybrid coaster, with a wooden structure and steel track, and a maximum height of 205 feet (62 meters). It has a top speed of 74 miles per hour (119 kilometers per hour) and a track length of 5,740 feet (1,750 meters).
Steel Vengeance features several unique elements, including a "Twisted Snake Dive" inversion, a "Zero-G Stall," and a "Twisted Step-Up Under Flip." It also has the highest drop of any hybrid coaster in the world, at 200 feet (61 meters). The coaster's theming is based on the "Wild West," with a rustic, wooden structure and elements inspired by old-fashioned trains and mine carts.
6 Skyrush - Hersheypark
Skyrush is a steel roller coaster located at Hersheypark in Pennsylvania, USA. It opened in 2012 and is known for its intense airtime and high speeds. Skyrush has a maximum height of 200 feet (61 meters) and a top speed of 75 miles per hour (121 kilometers per hour). The coaster's track is just over 3,600 feet (1,100 meters) long.
Skyrush features a unique "winged" seating arrangement, with riders sitting on either side of the track rather than above or below it. This allows for a more open, unrestricted feeling during the ride. The coaster also has several airtime hills, including one that reaches a maximum height of 200 feet (61 meters). Skyrush is themed around the idea of "flying," with elements like wings and feathers incorporated into the ride's design.
7. Goliath - Six Flags Over Georgia
Goliath is a steel hypercoaster located at Six Flags Over Georgia in Austell, Georgia. It was designed by Bolliger & Mabillard and opened to the public on March 16, 2006. The ride stands at a height of 200 feet and has a top speed of 70 miles per hour. It features a 170-foot drop and several airtime hills that provide riders with weightlessness and high speeds. The ride lasts for approximately three minutes and includes overbanked turns, helixes, and a tunnel.
Goliath is considered one of the best roller coasters in the world by many enthusiasts due to its smooth ride and thrilling elements. It also holds several records, including being the tallest and fastest roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia, as well as the longest and fastest roller coaster in the state of Georgia.
8. Phantom's Revenge - Kennywood
Phantom's Revenge is a steel roller coaster located at Kennywood in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. It was designed by Arrow Dynamics and opened to the public on May 22, 1991, as Steel Phantom. The ride was later modified and re-opened as Phantom's Revenge on May 16, 2001. It features a 228-foot drop and a top speed of 85 miles per hour. The ride lasts for approximately two minutes and includes several airtime hills, overbanked turns, and a tunnel.
Phantom's Revenge is known for its unique layout, which includes a second drop that is larger than the first. This provides riders with a surprising and thrilling experience as they plummet towards the ground at high speeds. The ride also features a scenic view of the Monongahela River and downtown Pittsburgh.
9. Kingda Ka - Six Flags Great Adventure
Kingda Ka is a steel accelerator roller coaster located at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson Township, New Jersey. It was designed by Intamin and opened to the public on May 21, 2005. The ride stands at a height of 456 feet and has a top speed of 128 miles per hour.
It features a 90-degree vertical drop and several overbanked turns that provide riders with high G-forces. The ride lasts for approximately 28 seconds and includes a hydraulic launch system that propels riders from 0 to 128 miles per hour in 3.5 seconds.
Kingda Ka is known for being the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world when it opened, as well as the first roller coaster to exceed 400 feet in height. It is also one of the most intense roller coasters in the world, with a high thrill factor due to its height, speed, and elements. The ride has been featured in several television shows and movies, including "The Sopranos" and "Roller Coaster Tycoon 3".
10. Emperor - SeaWorld San Diego
Emperor is a steel roller coaster located at SeaWorld San Diego in San Diego, California. This coaster was manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard and opened in 2021. It stands at a height of 153 feet (47 meters) and reaches a maximum speed of 60 mph (97 km/h). Emperor features a 143-foot (44 meters) drop and multiple inversions, including a vertical loop and a dive loop.
Riders are seated in trains with eight cars, each of which can accommodate four passengers. The ride lasts for about two and a half minutes and provides a thrilling experience with multiple moments of airtime and high-speed twists and turns.
Emperor is the tallest, fastest, and longest dive coaster in California, and the only one of its kind in the state. It features a unique layout that takes riders on a journey through multiple near-miss elements, such as a tunnel and an overbanked turn.
Emperor is a highly anticipated addition to SeaWorld San Diego's lineup of attractions and is expected to be a popular ride among coaster enthusiasts.
Scariest Roller Coaster in the US
Here is the list of Top 10 Scariest Roller Coasters in the US for 2023.
1
Kingda Ka, Six Flags Great Adventure & Safari
2
Outlaw Run, Silver Dollar City
3
GateKeeper, Cedar Point
4
Millennium Force, Cedar Point
5
Intimidator, Carowinds
6
Cannibal, Lagoon Amusement Park
7
Manta, SeaWorld Orlando
8
Banshee, Kings Island Park
9
Fury 325, Carowinds
10
El Toro, Six Flags Great Adventure & Safari
S.No
Scariest Roller Coaster in the US
Top Roller Coasters in the US
The United States will offer many new and updated roller coasters for thrill-seekers. These new coasters will provide a unique and exhilarating experience, with innovative designs, breathtaking speeds, and drops. The amusement parks across the country are constantly looking for ways to push the limits and provide guests with an unforgettable adventure.
The top 10 roller coasters in the US for 2023, including Mako at SeaWorld Orlando, Phoenix at Knoebels, Titan at Six Flags Over Texas, Iron Gwazi at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Steel Vengeance at Cedar Point, Skyrush at Hersheypark, Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia, Phantom's Revenge at Kennywood, Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure, and Emperor at SeaWorld San Diego, offer a heart-pumping, hair-raising experience that visitors won't soon forget. With the increasing popularity of roller coasters in the US, it is clear that they are here to stay as a staple of amusement parks.
Best Roller Coasters in the US 2023 - FAQs
The tallest roller coaster on the list is Titan at Six Flags Over Texas, which stands at 255 feet (78 meters) tall.
The fastest roller coaster on the list is Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure, which reaches a top speed of 128 miles per hour (206 km/h).
Mako at SeaWorld Orlando is known for its smooth ride and unique lighting system that illuminates the track at night.
Phoenix at Knoebels is the oldest roller coaster on the list, having opened in 1985.
Phoenix at Knoebels is known for its intense airtime and classic wooden coaster design.