Blog

Nov 12, 2023

Most thrilling roller coasters for a day trip from Indianapolis

In celebration of National Roller Coaster Day, IndyStar has compiled some of the best and scariest roller coasters within driving distance of Indianapolis. From scary drops to ridiculous speeds, these

In celebration of National Roller Coaster Day, IndyStar has compiled some of the best and scariest roller coasters within driving distance of Indianapolis.

From scary drops to ridiculous speeds, these coasters were built for thrill seekers.

Opened in 2009, this reddish-maroon, snake-themed roller coaster boasts a scary 215-foot drop. The ride is consistently ranked as a top steel roller coaster in the country. It reaches speeds of up to 80 mph, carrying passengers over 5,000 meters with 10 total drops. Be prepared to get splashed, even if you are watching family members from the ground close by, as the final drop dips into water.

One of seven in the world is a startling feat, a status this coaster achieves. The bright blue Orion is known as a giga roller coaster, or a class of rides having a height or drop between 300-399 feet. The coaster also reaches astonishing speeds of up to 91 mph, surely to make for a nice breeze on a warm summer day just after getting a wonderful view of the whole park. For Kings Island, Orion takes the cake as the park’s tallest, fastest and longest steel roller coaster.

No Midwest roller coaster list would be complete without The Beast, the longest wooden roller coaster in the world that first opened in 1979. From its inception the track spanned 7,361 feet which earned it its title as the ultimate roller coaster and cementing its spot in the Guiness Book of World Records. Although not quite as fast as many steel roller coasters these days, the ride makes up for it in its rustic, haunting nature. Traveling through a dark underground tunnel at high speeds might make you think twice about your decision to embark on the Beast.

Known for being the tallest, fastest and longest dive coaster, Valravn turns up the anxiety. Once riders are 223 feet in the air, they sit questioning their decision for several seconds before the ride descends at a 90-degree angle, a terrifying feature of any dive coaster. In addition to feeling like you are free-falling, the coaster reaches speeds of up to 75 mph.

The first giga coaster and once the fastest roller coaster at up to 93 mph when it opened in 2000, the Millennium Force has held up over time. With its blue track reaching its highest point at 310 feet, this coaster transcends many across the country.

With nearly 30 seconds of airtime, the most in the world, and over 5,700 feet of track, this coaster is one of the most coveted in the country. Combining both wood and steel together, this ride created its own category known as a hyper-hybrid coaster. It reaches 205 feet in the air, sending riders on a 2 and half minute journey they will never forget.

The wait will be worth it for this behemoth of a roller coaster. Top Thrill 2 reaches speeds of up to a whopping 120 mph and its highest point is 420 feet in the air. Akin to driving in the sky, the coaster has three different launch points all which thrust you forward at incredible speeds. As soon as it opens, it is sure to become one of the most sought-after thrill rides in the world.

This wooden roller coaster boasts speeds up to 66 mph and gives a great view of the St. Louis park. With drops ranging from 72 feet to 150 feet, you may want to hold on tight.

Wanting a fast start? Maxx Force sends you off into the air at 78 mph in the blink of an eye, the fastest acceleration of any roller coaster in North America. With coaster trains designed to look like Formula One race cars, this ride makes you feel like you're at the track. If the launch speed wasn’t enough, Maxx Force has the world’s fastest inversion as passengers flip in the air at 60 mph. This ride is built for the true thrill seekers.

A roller coaster that makes you truly feel like you're flying deserves to be recognized. With your feet dangling and dramatic music following you on your journey, take flight through 3,000 feet of twisted steel and even descend into a cloud of fog. X Flight is the fourth wing coaster built in the world, and second to arrive in the U.S.

This roller coaster lives up to its name and is a must-try when making the trek to Michigan. A wooden coaster launching you at speeds of up to 65 mph, this ride is sure to be a thrill. The park recommends trying the coaster at night as you will be forced to conquer the multiple daunting hills in the pitch dark.

Be prepared to be thrown around in this Kentucky roller coaster. This ride is the first in the U.S. to have a barrel roll drop, or a drop where the riders twist in the air, from a 10-story hill. As riders traverse the 'storm,' they will face a corkscrew twist, and lots of airtime. Put this on your list if you plan to visit Kentucky Kingdom.

Holiday World is known for its iconic water rides in Santa Claus, Indiana, and the Wildebeest is a fan favorite. Facing a 4-story drop on a 45-degree angle and covering 2 acres, prepare to wade in the waters of yellow and red tubes at high speeds. Frequently been voted one of the best in the world, the coaster uses linear induction motor technology, or magnetic fields, to push riders up the hill and it reaches speeds of up to 36 feet per second.

If you love that pit of your stomach feeling roller coasters are known for, this is the ride for you. Once voted the top wooden roller coaster in the nation, the voyage makes you feel weightless for an astounding 24.3 seconds. Riders also traverse through tunnels, five of them to be exact which sets a world record, on the 1.2-mile track.

If you want a way to zoom down the boardwalk quickly, this wooden roller coaster gives you the opportunity. Reaching a max speed of 53 mph and a height of 106 feet, the Hoosier Hurricane sends riders on a journey up and down the walk through the air.

Contact IndyStar reporter Nic Napier at [email protected] or at 317-879-6885.