Lake Compounce is an old park. In fact, it is the oldest operating park in America having first begun entertaining guests in 1846. Located in Bristol, Connecticut about 90 minutes from New York, Lake Compounce is a great day trip for a family or couple that wants to have a quiet outing outside of the corporate atmosphere of the giant parks. But with the addition of their top 5 wooden rollercoaster Boulder Dash in 2000, Lake Compounce has also become a destination for any serious rollercoaster fan. As well it should regardless, for this park has a lot of heart.

Rollercoaster Highlights

Boulder Dash - Nothing on earth can prepare you for a night ride on this 2000 wooden machine that is already a classic in many minds by CCI. Wild, crazed, exciting, surprising... all these words summarize what it's like to ride the Boulder Dash at night, but none really do it justice.

Built literally on a mountain, the Boulder Dash climbs the side of the mountain itself for it's lift hill, then takes you down the side for its first drop, then begginning an out and back layout that somehow always keeps you guessing as you whiz by and through a heavily wooded forest. One warning, this rollercoaster can be a bit sleepy and slow in the daytime, the only real time to ride it is at night after it's been running for a full day. That's when you'll experience what every coaster enthusiast is raving about.

Every seat on the Boulder Dash is a lot of fun when it's running good. On a day when it's running slow, the best seat is the front, as the rollercoaster's strength will be it's views running up the mountain and through the forest. When it's running fast and hot, the best seat is the back but again, at that point any seat is great.

Wildcat - No small country park would be complete without there own ancient woodie and Lake Compounce is no exception. This 1927 woodie designed by Herbert Schmeck (also the designer of the Comet at Hersheypark and the Phoenix at Knoebels) is a rough but fun ride and offers a great pressence shining over the entrance of the park and essentially occupying the middle.

The back two seats are the only way to ride Wildcat, the other seats are just too wimpy.

Zoomerang - Lake Compounces very own Vekoma Boomerang, this steel meanie is aways fun, both forwards and backwards.

Non-Coaster Highlights

Sky Ride - A giant ski lift up the mountain, you can't grasp how high you are going to go on the Sky Ride until you actually do it yourself. Standing at the bottom, you see the ride go up an incredibly long way, then fade out. What you don't know is that the ride at that point is only half way up. At at total length of 20 minutes, the Sky Ride is both relaxing and occasionally frightening, and absolutely not for those who are scared of heights.

Ghost Hunt - A modern haunted house where kids and kids in adult bodies shoot the ghoulies with laser guns provided with the cars. Points on the front of the car create a competition between you and your partner.

In addition, Lake Compounce also offers a water park area that has many slides, pools, and other ways to get yourself soaked.

Food

The food at Lake Compounce is typical amusement park fare and not cheap. However, don't go away without eating the Fried Oreos if you haven't before. Yes, they are as disgusting as they sound. And as good as they sound.

Conclusion

Lake Compounce is a great day trip for any lover of amusement parks that is in the area. The Boulder Dash alone makes it worthwhile, but the Wildcat and Skyride are pure icing on the cake as well as a beautiful lake and forest scenery. The Lake guarantees you a nice, relaxing day at a traditional amusement park.