Lake Compounce

Lake Compounce in Bristol, Connecticut holds the title of America's oldest continuously operating amusement park, dating back to 1846. What makes this place special is how they've seamlessly blended their historic amusement park with a solid water park called Crocodile Cove. You get two parks for one admission price, which is pretty sweet.

The water park section sits right alongside the main park, so you can literally go from bombing down a water slide to riding Boulder Dash, one of the top wooden coasters in the country. Crocodile Cove has everything you'd expect from a quality water park. The slides range from gentle family rides to more intense tube slides that'll get your heart pumping.

The lazy river is perfect for floating between attractions, and the wave pool creates decent surf for body surfing or just bobbing around. The kids' area keeps the little ones busy with smaller slides and interactive play features. Since this is a combo park, you'll find families with kids of all ages here.

The water park appeals to younger kids and teens, while the amusement park side satisfies thrill seekers and coaster enthusiasts. It's honestly one of the better deals in New England because you're getting two experiences. Get there early during summer weekends because both sides of the park can get crowded.

Parking fills up fast on busy days. Bring reef-safe sunscreen since you'll be moving between water attractions and dry rides. The food options span both parks, so you've got choices beyond typical water park fare.

If you're planning to do both the water park and amusement park in one day, pace yourself. It's a lot to cover, especially in hot weather. The combo makes Lake Compounce unique among water parks because you can cool off in the water, then experience some serious coaster action without leaving the property.