Exploring amusement parks is similar to exploring a new city. Some cities boast heavenly cuisine. Others maintain excitement with a constant fever pitch. As I explored several geographically diverse amusement parks, my eyes feasted on the crown jewel coasters, but my other senses worked overtime, too.

Magic Mountain
Having grown up on the West Coast, I've been spoiled by the ability to access three righteous parks, including Magic Mountain ... or should I say Gotham City. Why you ask? Venture to the far corner of the ever expanding park. Look around, as I did, and see question marks all over the place. Attached to those question marks - Riddler's Revenge. This bright green phenomenon maintains enough long drops to put the scare in any arch villain. More exhilarating than scary, the three-minute ride, which is unusually long, opened in April 1998 as the highest, fastest stand-up coaster, but how long will that record stand-up? Normally the front seat is overrated, but for Riddler... it might be worth the wait. At a few points, I felt as if my knees would buckle.

Where a villain exists, you can bet your cape that a superhero will be close. The black steel Batman the Ride lurks next to Riddler. Even for a coaster purest like me, Batman brings thrills that would bring tears to the Caped Crusader. Tears? Not because of sadness, but rather due to the blowing wind. This hanging-from-the-top, sit-down coaster generates more speed than its green neighbor. The twists and turns - sharper. The speed: faster. Once, my keys flew out of my pants pocket!

Upon retrieving my keys, my senses returned. My nose zeroed in a delicious smell. Homer Simpson would have uttered, "Mmmmm, funnel cake." I had the same reaction. On the other hand my ears heard the rocket-like roar of Superman The Escape. The $3.50 cake or the $10 million dollar ride? Stomach first. The golden brown, twisty, donut-like thing comes heaped on a plate with jelly or brown sugar. Oh-so-bad for the cholesterol, but oh-so-tasty. I savored my snack, as I waited (and waited) to finally hop into the car. Most rides do not intimidate riders by the sound, but Superman owes more of its scares to NASA than a typical coaster. From a dead start, the car blasted down the long track at up to 100 mph. Soon we were climbing the 90-degree track, and heading for the (top mounted) Man of Steel. The car eased to a stop about 20 feet from the top. It was as if time froze. What goes up must come down. Screams uttered from the car. Twenty seconds later I jumped from the car and asked the young kid who sat next to me what he thought, "I was going so fast that it was blowing my cheeks back." His ruffled hair told all.

Knott's Berry Farm
Often living in the Disneyland shadows, Knott's Berry Farm recreates the flavor of the Old West. Besides staged gun fights and panning for gold, Knott's offers its own mega rides. I stared up at their new Supreme Scream, a tri structure that blasts riders (or victims) down from 30 stories. "It didn't look so high from the ground," said one surprised 20 something. "But when I was going up, it kept going and going, up and up." Indeed it did. Knott's likes to claim that (at least for now) that this ride is the tallest structure in Orange County (CA). It provides an awesome view. Coming down leaves little time for sightseeing. Unlike many rides that just drop you, this one thrusts the car down at two G's (two times speed of gravity).

Once I was back at ground zero, I headed through Camp Snoopy to watch children enjoying the various rides. As I headed past the Moon Bounce, I enjoyed childhood deja vu. Close to the children's area, my nose picked up on their famous fried chicken dinner. I would enjoy that meal later, but I had to have a clear stomach for the new Ghost Rider roller coaster. This recently opened L-shaped coaster claims to be the biggest wooden coaster on the West Coast. Size doesn't matter so much here, but the constant speed does. The GR experience clocks in at over 2 minutes long. Unlike many coasters, this speedy ride never lets up (okay maybe for about five seconds). Beyond the first two drops, the GR provides spirited straight-aways and hairpin turns. Upon exiting, my watery eyes hunted to find that chicken, but my nose led the way.

Six Flags Over Texas
Contrary to popular belief, U.S. amusement parks are not only located on the coasts. Six Flags over Texas represents that which is Texas. Like Texas, things here tend to be BIG. Thankfully, the crowds weren't. Visiting the weekend before Halloween kept the crowds down, but the spirit up. Ghosts and skeletons appeared throughout the park. Little kids admired pumpkin patches and fake tombstones. One of the seasonal Halloween Haunted Houses scared the adult right out of me. Talk about scary? Just looking at the recently completed Mr. Freeze gave me chills. It would be a cold day in Arlington before I pass up a chance to ride this coaster. Strapped in, the ride shoots riders out at around 70 mph. Not only does this Batman arch-villain ride scare riders forward, but it gives the thrill backwards too.

Equally scary, but in a more classic sense Ñ The Texas Giant loomed in before me. Consistently named the #1 wooden roller coaster in the world, the appropriately named coaster waited my patronage. The ride, on nearly one mile of wooden track, jolted me as well as several adventurous youngsters. This isn't one of those smooth steel jobs, here the riders feeeeeeel the ride. For over two minutes, the car shook, zoomed and dropped through the Giant's wooden track medley. After stepping from the car, I shook off the effects and headed back in line.

Wonderland
Even though Amarillo's Wonderland cannot match the size of Six Flags over Texas, it does boast a first-rate coaster, the Texas Tornado. There wasn't a line in sight as I jumped off and on a few times, sampling the front, middle and back seats. The back gave me the best ride. Lots of air time (the time tossed out of your seat). The park also boasts the crazy mouse-style Cyclone Roller Coaster from a 1930's design. Anyone not fond of being tossed and whipped around sharp turns should definitely stay off this deceptively rough ride. It's a two person car (I rode solo) that scoots around a narrow roller coaster track and at times seems as if it will veer over the edge. I've been in car accidents that are less jarring, but I, along with the numerous kids, enjoyed it.

A bountiful assortment of children's rides kept the young ones happy. Kids zoomed around the park, darting in and out of rides, eating cotton candy and basically having a good time.

Isn't that what it's all about? Having a good time, or in some cases a great time. About 20 years ago, amusement parks seemed to be on the decline. A new resurgence has propelled parks to add not only bigger, faster and scarier rides (not to mention expensive), but to create more amusing children's rides areas as well. True to the "I'm better than you are" American spirit, the parks consistently attempt to outdo each other. The parks, like apple pie, symbolize American tradition. Our duty is to take a big slice of as many amusement parks as possible and relish the flavor.

The Low-Down

Wonderland Park
(Amarillo, TX)- Located in Thompson Park off N. Highway 287 at the River Road exit. Open weekends 1:00 - 8:00 p.m. in April and May. Open weeknights 7:00 - 10:30 p.m. from June 1 until the start of school.

Admission: $14.95 for an all-day hand stamp on weekends (1 p.m. to closing) $8.95 for an evening hand stamp on weeknights (7 p.m. to closing). If not purchasing a handstamp, gate admission is $2. Individual ride tickets will then be $1.50 each. Each ride requires one ticket, except for the Texas Tornado (big roller coaster), which requires two tickets.

For information call 806-383-4712.

Knott's Berry Farm
(Buena Park, CA) 8039 Beach Blvd. With so many freeways in the LA region, there are multiple options to get to Knott's. From LA, take the I-5 South and exit Beach Blvd. and follow the signs. Open Monday-Thursday 10am-6pm, Friday 10am - 10 pm, Saturday 9am-Midnight, Sunday 9am-10 am. Expanded Summer Hours Sunday - Thursday 9am - 11pm, Friday and Saturday 9am - 1 pm.

General Admission: $36.00 Adults, $26.00 Kids (3-11), Seniors (60 and over), Children under 3 free. After 4 pm Admission: 14.95 All Ages. (Offered any day Knott's is open past 6 pm.) For information call (714) 220-5200

Website: www.knotts.com

Six Flags Over Texas
(Arlington, TX) Easiest way to get to the park from Dallas is to take I-30 West and look for signs that indicate a Six Flags exit is coming up. The park is at the intersection of I-30 and State hwy. 360. Coming from Fort Worth, it's the opposite. Take I-30 East and look for the exit signs. They usually open at 10am and their closing times vary. For current information and closing times call 817/640-8900 ext. 2222.

Admission: (one day) $34.99 plus tax for adults; $17.50 plus tax for Children (under 48"); and $17.50 plus tax for Seniors (55+). Two-day tickets are: $41.99 plus tax for adults; $34.99 plus tax for children (under 48"); and $34.99 plus tax for Seniors (55+). Group prices available.

There are always special price promotions going on, so you rarely have to pay retail for tickets if you do a little looking. The Arlington Visitor Information Center at 1-800-342-4305 and ask if there are any discounts or to get the latest price info for the park.

To get a good night's sleep after a rollicking day:

Dallas: Westin Galleria Dallas. Arlington becomes a bit quiet at night, so staying in Dallas makes for a lively alternative. This complete, mall-adjacent complex is a close enough drive to nearby Six Flags over Texas while being situated in a nice part of Big D. Address is 13340 Dallas Parkway, Dallas, Texas 75240. They are located at the Galleria Mall, at the intersection of 635LBJ Freeway & the North Dallas Tollway. They have rates as low as $149 deluxe weekend up to $314 executive club floor . Guests can call 1-800-228-3000 to request the lowest rate available. Their local number is 972-934-9494.

Arlington: The Ambassador Hotel offers a convenient location, a flavorful happy hour and reasonable room prices $79 - 119. They offer numerous discounts. Call 806-358-6161 for reservations.

Magic Mountain
(Valencia, CA) Depending on traffic, Magic Mtn. is about 45 minutes North of Los Angeles. From West Los Angeles take the 405 Freeway North to the I-5 North and look for the Magic Mountain exit signs. Exit at Magic Mountain Parkway.

Admission: General Admission $36.00; Seniors 55+ $20.00; Children Under 48" (June-Aug.) $9.99; under 2 Free Parking is $7.00. Similar to the other parks, they often have promotions. Call (661) 255-4111, 4100 or (818) 367-5965 for info.

Website: www.sixflags.com