The main park at Six Flags New England in Springfield, Massachusetts has opened! Though the Water Park doesn’t open until Saturday May 20th, you can take the adrenaline rush and stomach-turning thrill rides at weekends now…

And through to Memorial Day weekend when the parks open every day for the summer until Labor Day.

There is two new rides introduced for the 2006 season: the Catapult, and Splash Water Falls.

The Catapult is in the North End of the park, and is a high-flying thrills ride that has you swatting through the skies while rotating 360-degrees forward and backward. Not for the queasy or toddlers I’m afraid. Minimum height restriction of this little beauty is 50”.

Splash Water Falls is in the South End of the park towards Hurricane Harbor. This ride has splashy thrills with drops, twists and turns. I may try this one, if only for the fact that this has a minimum height restriction of 36” as long as accompanied with an adult – I’ll be fine, as I’ll take my wife!

Now the nasty bit of news.

Prices have gone up… again. This year adults will pay $49.99 for a day ticket, and kids cost $29.99. Main parking is now $15. Ouch! If you think you may go more than once in a season then definitely look into a season pass.

The place is well maintained and when the sun is shining and warm it’s an exciting and great day for the family. My personal favorites are the water rides and so I’m just going to have to wait a few more weeks to get my thrills.

But you can get your thrills this weekend if you like speed and can put up with a fair bit of screaming.

Six Flags of New England is in western Massachusetts in Agawam, just outside Springfield, Massachusetts.

From Boston take the Mass Pike toll road – Route 90 – take exit 6 in Springfield. Take I-291 West 4.2 mi., merging right onto I-91 South to Exit 3 (Agawam). Cross bridge and take first exit. Follow rotary to Rte. 57 West then to Rte. 159 South (Main St.) Continue south 2.9 mi. to Six Flags New England.

From West take Mass Pike-East to Exit 4. Take Rte. 5 South 5.8 mi. to Rte. 57 West (Agawam/Southwick) onto Rte. 159 South (Main St.). continue south 2.9 mi.

For more information on the park check out my special Six Flags New England web page by clicking here.

Look for more New England attraction information next week.

Cliff Calderwood
Executive Director
New England Vacation Guide