Why America's Oldest Amusement Park Still Stands Out From The Rest

There are hundreds of amusement parks in the country. You are probably familiar with Disneyland, Walt Disney World Resort, and Universal Studios of Hollywood. However, these are relatively new compared to Lake Compounce in Bristol, Connecticut. It dates back to 1846, making it, at the time of this publication, 178 years old. As such, it is the oldest amusement park in the country. Looking back at history, this is quite a feat. Lake Compounce made it through the financial turmoil brought on by the Great Depression and, nearly 100 years later, the COVID-19 Pandemic. 

Lake Compounce is located about 30 minutes from Hartford, Connecticut's capital. And yes, there is an actual lake on the property. The amusement park was the brainchild of Gad Norton. In 1846, the lake was used as a backdrop for a public demonstration of an electricity experiment conducted by a local scientist. It did not go as planned, but the brouhaha of it all led Norton, the lake's owner, to create a public entertainment space. The rest is history. 

Lake Compounce is open from late April until December and is the place to have the best family vacation. Although over a century old, it delivers excitement, water adventures, and nostalgia to its visitors. With, of course, a side of historical significance.

With more than 45 rides, Lake Compounce is a massive theme park and entertainment destination. While theme parks tend to primarily cater to one audience (think thrill seekers at Six Flags or small children at Disneyland in California), Lake Compounce has it all. Young children, for example, can opt for the Kiddie Swinger, a swing ride, or the Little Critters bumper cars, both explicitly designed with little ones in mind.

If you or your kids feel more comfortable riding an attraction together, hop on the Compounce Railway. The train takes guests on a scenic tour of the park's property and lake. In addition, there's the Zoomer's Gas n'Go. In this slow-moving ride, guests "drive" corvettes on a track. For older children, adults, and those who love all things fast, Lake Compounce has you covered. The Boulder Dash (seen in the TikTok above) is an award-winning wooden roller coaster that travels over 60 miles per hour.

It was updated in 2023 and now features a titan track. Uniquely, Lake Compounce has a Sky Coaster. Contrary to its name, this is not a roller coaster at all. Instead, individuals are strapped in harnesses while lying face down and are taken to the top of a tower, where they are launched into a descent. Needless to say, this is not for those with a staunch fear of heights. 

Lake Compounce's age is not its only groundbreaking feature. The park has two unique, timeless rides: the Wildcat rollercoaster and a carousel. These are historic in their own right. The Wildcat was constructed in 1927, making it nearly 100 years old at the time of this publication. It is, in fact, one of the oldest rollercoasters in the country and the oldest wooden rollercoaster in Connecticut. Unlike other antique rollercoasters that have been moved around to different parks, Wildcat has always called Lake Compounce home. It reaches up to 44 miles per hour and has major twists and turns.

In 2023, Wildcat underwent renovations to improve the experience for riders in 2024. The carousel, on the other hand, is almost as old as Lake Compounce itself. It was built in 1898 and has been part of the National Register of Historic Places since 1978. But unlike Wildcat, the carousel is not original to Lake Compounce. It was purchased in 1911 from Savin Rock Amusement Park. Also located in Connecticut, Savin Rock Amusement Park closed its doors in the 1960s. Nevertheless, the carousel lives on, with Lake Compounce claiming it is one of the oldest in the country. 

If swimming is a must-do on your vacation itinerary, head to Lake Compounce's Crocodile Cove. It's located within the park, and the attraction is perfect for beating Bristol's steamy summer weather. It's also the biggest water park you'll find in the state. Like its amusement park rides, Lake Compounce has water attractions for every guest. Honorable mentions for adrenaline junkies include Venus Vortex and Riptide Racer. On Venus Vortex (seen in the TikTok above), guests traverse the brightly-colored water slide on a circular raft, encountering funnels and drops. 

Individuals on Riptide Racer, on the other hand, ride head first on a mat down a lengthy water slide. Do you prefer a chiller option (pun intended)? Grab a tube and float on the Croc-O-Nile or swim in Bayou Bay. The former is a lazy river, and the latter is a wave pool. In addition, guests can also swim in Lake Compounce. For younger swimmers, there are playgrounds at Clipper Cove or Anchor Bay. 

Crocodile Cove is only open from late May until early September. In other words, this is strictly a summer activity. Admission to Lake Compounce grants guests access to Crocodile Cove. To enhance your experience at the water park, consider booking a private cabana or a lounge chair. 

Although most amusement parks have onsite hotels (an example being Disney's Grand Floridian at Walt Disney World), Lake Compounce differs slightly. Those who plan to stay at Lake Compounce for a few days can do so at their campground. Even if you intend on staying for one night, you can book an RV or tent site. The RV site accommodates eight guests, while the tent site accommodates six. Pets are allowed. Note that if you choose a tent site, you must bring a tent.

Alternatively, you can stay at one of Lake Compounce's campground's cottages (seen above). One-bedroom and two-bedroom cottages are available, sleeping five and six people, respectively. A smaller, no-frills option is Club Hut. The small structure has two full-sized beds and sleeps four adults. Unlike the RV and tent sites, guests must stay in the cottages and Club Hut for at least two to three nights, and pets are not allowed.

Depending on when you visit, you can find prices for an RV or tent site for under $60 a night and under $200 a night for the cottages and Club Hut. You can book your choice of lodging at Lake Compounce Campground online. Amenities include access to sports courts, showers, toilets, parking, and more. The campground is a short walk from the amusement park. However, it's typically only open during the spring until late fall. If you do decide to stay overnight at Lake Compounce Campground, you will receive a discount on your amusement park tickets.

If Lake Compounce has everything you're looking for, here's what you need to know before your trip to the historic amusement park. As aforementioned, it's only open seasonally with varied hours, so plan accordingly. In 2024, Lake Compounce reopens on April 27 and Crocodile Cove on May 25. At the time of this publication, one-day admission to the park ranges from $34.99 to $49.99. You can purchase tickets online. Parking is an additional $30 to $40. Note that Lake Compounce has a cashless system.

Lake Compounce is a short drive away from major cities in Connecticut, like Bridgeport, New Haven, and Stamford. Likewise, it's about two hours from New York City, Boston, and Providence, Rhode Island. However, if you're not located on the East Coast and need to fly in, the closest airport to Lake Compounce is Bradley International Airport (BDL), located 40 minutes away in Hartford. 

Some other things to know about Lake Compounce: guests can enter the park with packed food and drinks. However, there are several onsite eateries selling typical amusement park food like pizza, burgers, and more. Likewise, the park offers seasonal attractions throughout the year, including daily outdoor concerts in the summer months and the Phantom Fall Fest and Holiday Lights during Christmas and Halloween. If bad weather causes Lake Compounce to close for the day, guests will receive additional tickets to the park at no extra cost.