by Tamatha Hetrick

Created on: March 28, 2009

With the financial crisis in the markets today, it may seem like taking your kids anywhere for a day of fun is out of the question. Never fear! If you live in Pennsylvania you are in luck! Elysburg, PA is home to affordable fun. Knoebels Grove pronounced kah-no-bulls has everything the kids could want and more.

Knoebel's offers free admission to all. You can buy ride tickets on-line or in the park at any of the various ticket booths or get an all day ride band. Ride tickets can be purchased individually or in packets of $5 and up with daily specials saving you even more. They have all day ride rate arm bands that vary in price starting at $19.50. Also available are sundown specials. The price for individual rides start at 75 cents and goes up. While contacting Knoebels they explained to us that even in this bad economy they are not raising rates this year-great news for cash strapped parents.

This amusement park has kiddie rides, water rides, roller coasters including a wooden one, a haunted ride, bumper boats, giant wheel, carousel, and so much more. While you are there you will want to check out the XD rides, 3 great museums, and the bald eagle habitat. They also have daily entertainers performing on stage.

Let's not forget the food...oh the food! Not only can you get your typical hamburger and hot dog but you can enjoy tasty alligator bites too. Yep, alligator bites. They have 5 main eating courts along with smaller food vendors. You can get a tacos, mac and cheese, ravioli, chicken, new york strip steak, liver, sandwiches, soups, salad and the list just goes on and on. Now, if like a lot of us you are feeling the wallet thinner than usual, call ahead and reserve a picnic table. These are under pavilions and you can bring your own food. They are located between the park and the parking lot. Best of all there is no charge. How is that for saving some green.

Knoebels also have a swimming pool and water slides. These are inside the park and are all at minimal fee's. Why not sit by the pool while the kids ride the slides.

If Elysburg isn't a quick drive away, why not make a few days of it. Knoebels offers camping too. The have tent spaces for $37 a night and RV spaces available also. The best thing they offer in camping is wooden cabins. These cabins are $110 per night and include handmade table and stools, foam mattresses and electricity. They sleep 6, but this writer has had 10 sleeping comfortably in one. They also include a fire ring and are generally close to the bathrooms.

Knoebels Grove Amusement Park has a lot of fun packed into it. The family will want to go year after year. So, if times are tough and money is tight, check out their website at www.knoebels.com and take the family. ENJOY!

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