What you need to know about Six Flags Great America from tickets, rides, hours and more (2024)

The time has come for family vacations and summertime fun, which is why Six Flags Great America and Hurricane Harbor Chicago are top destinations for 2023.

From planning your trip to checking in on your favorite rides, here's everything you need to know about planning a trip to the amusem*nt park.

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When does Six Flags Great America theme park open in 2023?

Summer activities began at the amusem*nt park starting Tuesday, May 23, 2023.

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When does Six Flags Great America amusem*nt park close in 2023?

The last day of the regular season is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 4, 2023.

What time does Six Flags Great America open and close?

The park's operating hours vary depending on the day and are subject to change. Gates open at about 10:30 a.m. most mornings and stay open as late as 10 p.m. on some dates.

Visit sixflags.com to check the hours for the date of your visit.

Where is Great America?

Six Flags is located at 1 Great America Parkway in Gurnee, Ill. The amusem*nt park is approximately 45 miles north of Chicago and roughly 65 miles east of Rockford.

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What you need to know about Six Flags Great America from tickets, rides, hours and more (1)

Directions to Six Flags

The website offers directions to the park along with approximate drive times. Directions are listed below:

From Chicago: Take I-94 or I-294 West. Exit on Grand Avenue, which is also Route 132, to the east in Gurnee. SixFlags is located immediately on the right. Approximate driving time: 45 minutes.
From Milwaukee: Take I-94 East. Exit on Grand Avenue, which is also Route 132, to the east in Gurnee. SixFlags is located immediately on the right. Approximate driving time: 45 minutes.
From Indiana and Michigan: Take I-90 West through Chicago to the Dan Ryan Expressway or I-90/94 West. Continue on I-90/94 West and it will become the Kennedy Expressway or I-90/94 West near downtown Chicago. When I-90 and I-94 splits, continue on I-94 West and exit on Grand Avenue, which is also Route 132, to the east in Gurnee. SixFlags GreatAmerica is located on the right. Approximate driving time: 1 hour, 20 minutes.
From Indiana and Michigan (alternate route): Take I-80/94 West. Continue into Illinois and take I-294 West. Stay on I-294 West until it becomes I-94 West. Continue on I-94 West and exit on Grand Avenue, which is also Route 132, to the east in Gurnee. SixFlags is located on the right. Approximate driving time: 1 hour, 35 minutes.
From western Illinois and Iowa: Take I-88 East to I-294 North in Illinois. Take I-294 North until it becomes I-94 West. Continue on I-94 West and exit on Grand Avenue, which is also Route 132, to the east in Gurnee. SixFlags is located on the right. Approximate driving time: 3 hours.
From Peoria/Bloomington: Take I-55 North to I-294 West. Take I-294 West until it becomes I-94 West. Continue on I-94 West and exit on Grand Avenue, which is also Route 132, to the east in Gurnee. SixFlags is located on the right. Approximate driving time: 3 hours.
From Rockford: For the fastest route, take I-90 East to I-294 North and exit on Grand Avenue, which is also Route 132, to the east in Gurnee. SixFlags is located on the right. Approximate driving time: 1 hour, 30 minutes.

Six Flags Great America parking

Parking is one of the one-day add-ons offered to purchase in advance. Cost is $35 per vehicle.

How much are Six Flags Great America tickets?

While the gate price is listed at $89.99, ticket prices vary at the theme park. One-day passes can be had online for as low as $44.99 per person and prices increase depending on the date of your visit. Season passes are available in diamond and platinum. Access to Hurricane Harbor is included. Children ages 2 and under are free.

Diamond passes cost $159.99 and are good for all Six Flags outdoor parks through Jan. 2, 2024. A variety of extra benefits such as free parking come with the diamond pass.

The platinum pass is normally $114.99 for the season and is currently available through a Memorial Day Sale for the same price as the gold pass at $89.99 until May 29. A variety of extra benefits such as free parking come with the gold and platinum passes. Gold passes end Sept. 4, 2023, while platinum passes are good through Jan. 2, 2024.

For one-day add-ons such as meal deals on food and Flash Passes to cut the lines, visit www.sixflags.com.

What are the Six Flags Great America rides?

Just inside Orleans Place, patrons will find the Ride Information Center, where attraction accessibility passes and height wristbands can be obtained. Here is a list of the rides:

Kids rides (12)

Family rides (22)

What you need to know about Six Flags Great America from tickets, rides, hours and more (2)

Thrill rides (15)

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Kids rides (2)

Family rides (5)

Thrill rides (10)

What you need to know about Six Flags Great America from tickets, rides, hours and more (3)

Six Flags Great America Map

The park map can help you plan your visit:

Six Flags Great America rules and safety policies

The amusem*nt park has a comprehensive list of rules and regulations to keep everyone safe. Visit www.sixflags.com for any questions regarding your trip.

Six Flags Great America live shows, entertainment

If you need a break from all the lines and rides, the park has multiple shows available for the family. They include:

Live shows/entertainment

Six Flags Great America events

The amusem*nt park celebrates a variety of events throughout the year, including reopening for Fright Fest, Kids Boo Fest and Oktoberfest from mid-September through the end of October. Visit www.sixflags.com for a look at all the events coming to the theme park in 2023.

Chris Sims is a digital producer for the Journal Star. Follow him on Twitter:@ChrisFSims.