Nitro (Six Flags: Great Adventure) Six Flags Great Adventure is your best bet for some of the most exciting local coasters. It seems that every year, the park ups the ante with a coaster with a new gimmick. Some are better than others (we’ll get to a couple of those later) but this writer’s favorite of the lot is Nitro. The novelty of this steel coaster may have worn off as it opened in 2001, old by the Six Flags standards, but this is one breathtaking drop. At the time it was built, Nitro was named the tallest coaster on the East Coast at 230 feet tall. Seriously, the climb up once you’re strapped in feels like an eternity. And that’s what makes this ride so special. You may freak out but once you drop, unlike most coasters that make you feel like you’re on a bumper car, this ride is incredibly smooth. After you drop 215 feet, it feels exhilarating and not in the frightening way. You don’t feel all that secure when being strapped in, which may not be for the faint of heart, but not only are you safe, you are riding one of the greats. Skyrush (Hershey Park) If you’ve done Six Flags and are looking for something new, Hershey Park in Pennsylvania is your perfect alternative. It may be a bit of a ride depending on where you live, but it’s worth it. You can enjoy the area’s calm surroundings, visit the chocolate factory and prepare for some real thrills. Skyrush is a great place to start for extreme coaster fans. It’s the park’s tallest and fastest roller coaster, climbing a massive 200 feet in the air at a speed of approximately 75 miles per hour. Couple that with four fast turns and you have a ride that must go on the bucket list. Wildcat (Hershey Park) For those that love good ol’ fashion wooden coasters, the parks haven’t forgotten about you. Hershey Park’s Wildcat was built in 1996, but it’s still an attraction that all types of coaster fans should visit. Along with having a great name for a ride, Wildcat offers moderate thrills. Those are just a few, but there are many more. You may have your preference, but it’s great to try them all. Just make sure you do so on an empty stomach. Batman: The Ride (Six Flags: Great Adventure) The 1989 “Batman” film changed the comic book movie genre. People wanted a dark and well-acted version of the Caped Crusader. In 1992, Warner Brothers and Six Flags collaborated and the result is Batman: The Ride. Although the park had the Scream Machine, many can argue that Batman: The Ride was a game changer for the now-thriving park. It gave millions a reason to go check out the unique coaster that’s 10 and a half stories tall, and goes 50 MPH. Famous for its loop and a seat that has your legs dangling, the ride may be short but for many people, this was the first experience of an extreme coaster. It has been awarded Coaster Landmark status by the American Coaster Enthusiasts. Courtesy of six flags Courtesy of six flags
ASPIRESUMMER2016
To see the actual publication please follow the link above