Six Flags Over Texas

Six Flags Over Texas opened in 1961 as one of the first major theme parks in the United States after Disneyland, and its roller coaster collection remains among the most impressive in the South. The park has fifteen coasters, from historic wooden ones to modern steel behemoths — the highlight for most visitors is New Texas Giant, a record-breaking steel-tracked wooden coaster that re-opened in 2011 after a complete rebuild and consistently ranks among the best in the country.

The park is enormous and can easily occupy a full day. Summer weekends bring large crowds; arriving at opening time and hitting the major coasters early is the standard strategy. In October the park runs Fright Fest, converting portions of it into Halloween haunted attractions — one of the more elaborate seasonal events in Texas.

2201 Road to Six Flags, Arlington. Parking on site; the park sits within walking distance of AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Field.

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A story
The park's name references the six flags that have flown over Texas — Spain, France, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the Confederacy, and the United States. When it opened in 1961, the original park was divided into six themed sections corresponding to each era. Six Flags has since scrubbed the Confederate section entirely, though the flags conceit lives on in the brand name.

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