March has arrived, which means we get college basketball, warmer temperatures and spring break. Some head south for spring break but those who stay in New England prepare for the warmer weather — which means amusement park season begins.
New England has a solid collection of parks and, more specifically, rollercoasters. While we wait for everything to defrost, it’s the perfect time to count down the top five rollercoasters in New England heading into 2026
No. 5: Phobia Phear Coaster — Lake Compounce
Our first coaster on the list comes from Lake Compounce in Bristol, Conn. New England’s only operating launch coaster, Phobia Phear Coaster. Opened in 2016, Phobia Phear Coaster is a Premier Rides “Sky Rocket II.” It’s one of only 10 Sky Rocket IIs in the world, with the next closest Sky Rocket II being Tempesto at Busch Gardens Williamsburg in Virginia.
Phobia has one inversion and reaches a top speed of 62 mph. What makes Phobia great is its swing launch: staring backwards is a great sensation, alongside the airtime you get when you reach the top and the way you almost crawl through the inline twist.
No. 4: Wildcat — Lake Compounce
For number four on the list we go about 500 feet away to Wildcat, also at Lake Compounce. Wildcat is entering its 99th season this year. For such an old ride, it’s amazing it still runs so well. The coaster actually struggled for a time, with some even calling it one of the worst and most unpleasant coasters in the world. However, the ride was closed in 2023 for the entire season so it could be retracked by the manufacturing company Gravity Group. The company installed their gravity grid patented pre-cut vertically stacked track. It reopened in 2024 almost completely retracked.
Following the 2024 season, Gravity Group finished their retracking and today, the coaster is smooth as glass. A perfect coaster for the whole family, once they reach that 48 inch height requirement, of course!
No. 3: Superman the Ride — Six Flags New England
For number three we head north to Agawam, Mass. for Six Flags New England. Superman the Ride has been a coaster marvel since its creation in 2000. Made by the Swiss rollercoaster manufacturing company Intamin, Superman has racked up many accolades over the years. It has won the Amusement Today Golden Ticket Award for “Best Steel Roller Coaster” five times, most recently in 2009.
Superman has a height of 208 feet and reaches 77 mph, making it the fastest coaster in New England. Superman is a great ride packed with great elements and speed. The only downside is uncomfortability of the restraints. If they changed the restraints, it would most likely top the list to be the best roller coaster in New England.
No. 2: Boulder Dash — Lake Compounce
For number two we are heading back to Bristol, Conn. for Boulder Dash at Lake Compounce, a wooden coaster marvel built in 2000 alongside a mountain. Boulder Dash has had its fair share of awards winning Amusement Today Golden Ticket Award for “Best Wood Roller Coaster” five separate times, most recently in 2016.
Boulder Dash has seen some criticism for being too rough in the last few years, but similarly to Wildcat, the company Gravity Group has come in to re-track it. The difference is they’ve added their patented “Titan Track” which adds steel to wooden roller coasters. Boulder Dash is a one-of-a-kind rollercoaster that runs alongside a mountain and reaches 60 mph. A night ride on Boulder Dash is an absolute must!
No. 1: Wicked Cyclone — Six Flags New England
Finally our number one coaster is Wicked Cyclone at Six Flags New England, a hybrid roller coaster manufactured by Rocky Mountain Construction. The original Cyclone closed in 2014 and was converted to Wicked Cyclone and opened up the following year. The conversion turned the fully wooden Cyclone into the steel-wood hybrid coaster we have today.
Wicked Cyclone is not the tallest or fastest, but it packs a punch with all its elements. It stands 109 feet tall and reaches 55 mph, all while navigating three inversions. A perfect glass-smooth experience, Wicked Cyclone is the best roller coaster in New England.
Should do a little more research – The Gravity Group doesn’t make Titan Track and hasn’t done the recent work on Boulder Dash. It’s a completely different company named Great Coasters International, Inc. that makes and has installed Titan Track.