Your Guide to Six Flags America Near Washington, D.C.

By
Rachel Cooper
Rachel Cooper
Rachel Cooper
Rachel Cooper is a travel writer who has lived in the Washington, D.C., area for more than 25 years. She is also the author of several books covering the capital and mid-Atlantic regions.
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Updated on 06/11/19
Riders on the Roar roller coaster at Six Flags America
Riders on the Roar roller coaster.

Six Flags America

Six Flags America in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, offers a full day of fun with more than 100 rides, shows, and the largest water park in the Washington, D.C. area.

The amusement park has several roller coasters with names like Wild One, Joker’s Jinx, and Superman Ride of Steel. Family rides at Six Flags America include The Penguin’s Blizzard River, the traditional Tea Cups, and The Great Race. Younger kids enjoy the Looney Tunes Movie Town, where they can meet Bugs Bunny.

Next door, Hurricane Harbor features one of the largest wave pools in the country, water slides, inner tube flume, lazy river, splash pool and more. Admission to the water park is included in the Six Flags ticket price.

History of D.C. Area Six Flags America

This location of Six Flags America was originally built as Wild World water park in 1982. The water park went bankrupt in 1990 and was sold to new owners and was renamed Adventure World in 1992. In 1999, the park was bought by the regional theme park company, Six Flags America, and expanded to include roller coasters and rides based on DC Comics characters such as Superman and The Joker.

Newest Attractions at Six Flags America

  • Maryland's only floorless roller coaster, Firebird, debuts in summer of 2019 and takes guests on a flight with a nine-story drop, two upside-down inversions, corkscrew turns, and an explisve figure-eight finale.
  • In 2018, Wahoo River at Hurricane Harbor got an update that included a faster current, an all-new themed adventure river, and seven different water action zones.
  • In 2017, the park debuted the Wonder Woman Lasso of Truth ride, which swings visitors in a 98-foot circle at speeds of 40 miles per hour atop a 24-story tower.
  • For the 2016 season, rollercoaster SUPERMAN Ride of Steel opened with beautiful new trains and a fresh facelift in preparation for the summer launch of SUPERMAN Ride of Steel Virtual Reality Coaster. The redesigned coaster offers a realistic 360-degree virtual world transporting thrill seekers to an entirely new dimension.
  • Also in 2016, an entire fleet of new vehicles launched at the Big Easy Speedway (go-karts) as did new cars at the family favorite Coyote Creek Crazy Cars (bumper cars).
  • Splashwater Falls also opened at Hurricane Harbor in 2016. The new, multi-level water play attraction features dozens of slides, nets, sprays and geysers, plus a super-sized tipping bucket.
  • In 2015, Bourbon Street Fireball, a seven-story looping roller coaster opened in the Mardi Gras section of the park. The coaster will seat 24 passengers in forward and backward, face-to-face position. It will use a pendulum style takeoff with multiple 360⁰ revolutions.
  • In 2014, a newly themed Mardi Gras section opened, featuring a fun, family-friendly, flying ride dubbed French Quarter Flyers. Memorial Day weekend, the park will debut its 9th roller coaster, Ragin’ Cajun, a spinning, fast-track roller coaster. The entire Mardi Gras area has been transformed with existing rides re-themed and the addition of new retail, games, and fun refreshments at Hurricanes, which will serve adult beverages and light fare.

Address and Driving Directions

Six Flags America is located on Route 214, Central Avenue, approximately five miles from I-495 and just 30 minutes from downtown Washington, D.C.

  • Address: 13710 Central Avenue, Upper Marlboro, Maryland
  • Phone Numbers: (301) 249-1500 and (800) 491-4FUN
  • Website: www.sixflags.com
  • From Washington DC: Take I-495 to exit 15A, Central Avenue East. Six Flags America is located approximately five miles from the exit, on the left.
  • From Baltimore and Areas North: Take I-695 to Exit 4, I-97 South. Follow I-97 South to Exit 7, Route 3 South towards Crofton/Bowie. Route 3 becomes Route 301 South at the Route 50 intersection. Stay on Route 301 South for approximately five miles. Exit onto Route 214 West, Central Avenue. Six Flags America is located on Central Avenue, approximately three miles from the exit, on the right.
  • From Virginia and Areas South: Take I-95 North to the towards Baltimore. Take Exit 15A, Central Avenue East. Six Flags America is located approximately five miles from the exit, on the left.

Calendar and Operating Hours

Six Flags America opened for the 2019 season on March 25 and is open daily for Spring Break through April 3 and then weekends in April and May, with daily operation resuming Memorial Day weekend. Hurricane Harbor began its season on Saturday, May 28, but hours vary throughout the season. Additionally, after Labor Day weekend the park is open weekends through October as well as during the winter holidays.

Visiting Tips

  • Buy tickets in advance: Don't wait in line and instead buy your tickets in advance online and present them at the ticket check-in. Purchase a seasons pass to save time and money.
  • Visit on a weekday: The park is most crowded on the weekends and holidays.
  • Arrive early: In order to get the most out of your day, head to the most popular rides first since lines get longer late in the day.
  • Attend special events: From July 4th Fest and National Funnel Cake Day to National Coaster Day, the SIXtreme BMX Stunt Show, and Fright Fest, there are plenty of special events at the park throughout the year offering discounts and special features.