Camden Park sits about five kilometres west of downtown along the Ohio River and has been operating as an amusement park since 1903 — longer than most American institutions of any kind. It is a genuine anachronism: wooden roller coasters, bumper cars, a Tilt-A-Whirl, and a small log flume, all running at a pace that refuses to hurry.
The Big Dipper wooden coaster, installed in 1958, is the main draw. It is small by modern standards but fast, with a satisfying drop and a layout that threads through the park's old-growth trees. The park's relative obscurity keeps the lines short and the atmosphere relaxed — a strong contrast to the corporate mega-parks a few hours away. Admission is reasonable and children especially find it delightful.