Your Ultimate Park Day Plan
What started as a humble roadside berry stand has blossomed into a world-class theme park unlike any other in Southern California. Knott’s Berry Farm uniquely blends heart-pounding roller coaster thrills with charming journeys into the American West and culinary delights famous around the globe. With such a diverse mix of entertainment, planning the perfect day can feel overwhelming. To ensure you experience the absolute best the park has to offer, we’ve put together a list of 20 can’t-miss highlights. Let's dive in!
1. Ride The Silver Bullet
Suspended high above the park, Silver Bullet delivers pure adrenaline as you twist through five heart-stopping inversions at 55 mph. This signature coaster plunges riders down a 105-foot drop before treating them to panoramic views mid-ride.
The Phoenix Enforcer at en.wikipedia on Wikimedia
2. Explore Ghost Town
Interactive storytelling comes alive in Calico Ghost Town, where your choices directly shape the daily narratives unfolding around you. Live actors direct you by leading you on themed missions and character encounters that evolve with each visit throughout the year.
InSapphoWeTrust from Los Angeles, California, USA on Wikimedia
3. Brave HangTime
Dangling at a terrifying 96-degree angle, HangTime holds you in suspense before dropping you into the West Coast's first dive coaster experience. The vertical plunge leads into five gravity-defying inversions, while LED lighting turns night rides into dazzling spectacles.
4. Ride The Pony Express
Saddle up for a unique ride on the Pony Express, a horse-themed launch coaster that opened in 2008. Riders straddle horse-shaped seats, adding realism as they hit 38 mph past tight turns and desert scenery in Ghost Town.
5. Visit The Old Schoolhouse
Travel back in time by visiting this authentic 1879 schoolhouse, which was relocated from Kansas. It offers a free glimpse into 19th-century education with original desks and chalkboards. Costumed interpreters are usually around to bring the old classroom experience to life.
The Old School House, Knott's Berry Farm by UndercoverTourist.com
6. Ride The Timber Mountain Log Ride
A true classic from 1969, the Timber Mountain Log Ride remains one of the most popular family rides. Passengers travel through lively scenes of animatronic lumberjacks and dense forest before taking a thrilling 38-foot plunge, one of the ride’s two exciting drops.
7. Watch The Wild West Stunt Show
For over 40 years, this live-action show has entertained audiences with professional stunt performers. It packs shootouts and comedy into a family-friendly performance. You can catch it multiple times daily in Ghost Town, complete with shaded seating.
New Updated Wild West Stunt Show at Knott's Berry Farm 2016 by Attractions 360°
8. Splash Through Calico River Rapids
Prepare for an eight-minute whitewater adventure on the Calico River Rapids, where geysers and waterfalls guarantee a good splash. Refurbished in 2019, this raft ride includes animatronic wildlife and scenic canyon views, enhancing its immersive storytelling elements.
9. Enjoy The Boysenberry Festival
You can celebrate Knott’s signature fruit at the annual Boysenberry Festival each spring. Originating from the farm’s roots, this event features over 75 unique boysenberry food items, live music, and culinary sessions for a truly flavorful experience from March through April.
10. Visit The Blacksmith Shop
Ghost Town’s Blacksmith Shop offers a view of traditional metalworking as artisans fashion metal into horseshoes and decorative objects. Guests can watch the process unfold and interact with the craftsmen to learn more about their techniques.
11. Ride The Coast Rider
The Coast Rider, a family-friendly wild mouse coaster, takes riders through sharp turns and playful drops after a 52-foot climb. Opened in 2013, it brings the thrill of a California coastal drive to the Boardwalk area, perfect for mild thrill-seekers.
12. Experience Knott’s Scary Farm
Southern California's longest-running Halloween tradition turns the park into a nightmare realm populated by over 1,000 costumed monsters. Haunted mazes and scare zones create spine-tingling adventures from late September through October, which require separate admission for premium fright experiences.
Prayitno / Thank you for (12 millions +) view from Los Angeles, USA on Wikimedia
13. Ride The Sky Cabin
For a relaxing break with incredible scenery, the Sky Cabin offers breathtaking 360° views from 180 feet up. This rotating observation tower provides air-conditioned comfort while you take in panoramic sights of Orange County and beyond on a clear day.
14. Explore Camp Snoopy
Camp Snoopy has been a haven for younger guests as the first dedicated kids' theme land since 1983. Recently renovated, it features gentle rides, character meet-and-greets with the Peanuts gang, and plenty of shaded play areas for families.
15. Ride The Jaguar
Mayan temples and mysterious fog effects surround you during this family-friendly coaster's 30-mph journey through ancient civilizations. Tunnels and nighttime lighting enhance the adventure over 1 minute 43 seconds, making Fiesta Village's inaugural coaster perfect for introducing children to thrills.
16. Try Knott’s Famous Fried Chicken
A meal here is a taste of history, served from Mrs. Knott's original recipes from 1934. Complete with homemade biscuits and boysenberry pie, the famous fried chicken dinner actually inspired the park's expansion from a simple farm stand.
Mrs. Knott's Famous Fried Chicken by California Bountiful TV
17. Ride The Supreme Scream
Find this heart-pounding attraction in the Boardwalk area. Standing as the park's tallest ride, the Supreme Scream lifts you 252 feet for stunning views. But don't get too comfortable—it drops you at 50 mph in three seconds.
18. Visit The Bird Cage Theater
Built in 1954, this historic venue hosts live melodramas and comedy performances that honor Old West entertainment traditions perfectly. Vintage wooden seating and period decor create authentic atmospheres for seasonal shows and special events within Ghost Town's charming theatrical setting.
19. Ride The Knott’s Bear-Y Tales
Reviving a beloved 1970s attraction, Knott’s Bear-y Tales is an interactive dark ride that opened in 2021. This boysenberry-themed story, which features 3D imagery and a competitive scoring system, puts you right into the gaming action.
20. Visit The Western Trails Museum
Discover authentic Old West artifacts personally assembled by founder Walter Knott at this free museum. Located in Ghost Town, it houses antique firearms, saddles, and mining tools, offering a fascinating look at America’s frontier history right near the schoolhouse.
