Located in Gurnee, Illinois, between Chicago and Milwaukee, Six Flags Great America first opened on May 29, 1976, as Marriott's Great America. Designed by architect Randall Duell with an overarching Americana theme, the park was acquired in 1984 by Six Flags, which has owned and operated it ever since. Directly accessible from Interstate 94, this premier Midwestern destination spans 275 acres and attracts millions of guests annually, providing high-energy thrill rides, family entertainment, and seasonal festivities from spring through late autumn.
The park's clever layout relies on the Duell loop, a circular pathway allowing visitors to seamlessly stroll through all 11 themed sections while operational work happens out of sight. Key areas reflect classic Americana, regional history, DC Comics themes, and dedicated children's zones. Guests can explore original regions like Carousel Plaza, Orleans Place, Yankee Harbor, Yukon Territory, County Fair, and Hometown Square, alongside major expansions such as the Old West-inspired Southwest Territory. This intuitive design makes navigating the massive property straightforward for day-trippers and families alike.
Renowned for world-class coasters and landmark attractions, Six Flags Great America features 44 total attractions, including 16 roller coasters. It boasts historic milestones like Batman: The Ride, the world's first inverted roller coaster, alongside famous rides such as American Eagle, Viper, Goliath, and Maxx Force. In addition to high-speed coasters, you can enjoy classic flat rides, the double-decker Columbia Carousel, and scenic panoramas from the Sky Trek Tower. Located adjacent to the park is Hurricane Harbor Chicago, a separately-gated water park offering complementary aquatic fun.
01 Signature rides & attractions
The park’s headline rides across its themed areas. Confirm heights and any single-rider lines on the day.
Compiled from Wikipedia · a full ride-by-ride list per themed area is on the way.
Park map
The free OpenStreetMap layer below shows the park and its surroundings — entrances, themed areas, car parks and access roads. Zoom in for detail; the official ride-by-ride park plan is linked below.
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL, free). Official park maps are copyrighted — we link to them.
02 Tickets & prices
Ticket prices for Six Flags Great America change by date and season, and the park sells single-day, multi-day and annual passes — buying online in advance is almost always cheaper than at the gate, and popular dates can sell out. Check the official site for live pricing before you travel.
We deliberately don’t list prices that change daily — the ticket button leads to live, up-to-date pricing.
03 Getting there & parking
| Option | Detail |
|---|---|
| Road | Located in Gurnee, Illinois, straddling and directly accessible via Interstate 94 between Chicago and Milwaukee. |
Getting there & parking · Last updated: 2026-09-12 · prices may change
04 Best time to visit & opening times
| Season | When | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Operating Season | April to November | Operates seasonally and hosts the annual Halloween event Fright Fest in the fall. |
Opening times vary by day · Last updated: 2026-09-12 · check before you travel
05 Themed areas
Each area has its own theming — architecture, food and rides. Half the fun is simply walking through.
Good to know
- Hurricane Harbor Chicago is a separately-gated water park located directly adjacent to the main theme park.
- The park uses a circular layout called the Duell loop, which connects every themed land along a single continuous path.
