Arnolds Park, IA (Northwestiowanow.com) — Arnolds Park Amusement Park has one weekend under its belt before the official kickoff to tourist season. Manager Jon Pausley says a new attraction got a lot of interest.

There are three other new offerings already in place, including “Boji Super Bounce” – a trampoline ride geared toward teenagers, and a forth once scheduled to arrive in a few weeks.

Last summer the most popular rides at Arnolds Park were: The Legend Roller Coaster, The Log Flume, Bumper Cars, and the Boji Drop – which was new for 2025.

In addition to the four new rides at Arnolds Park Amusement Park this summer, CEO Jon Pausley says the midway games will be an entirely new experience. And like the rest of the park, the midway games are cashless.

It was four decades ago that the Queen 2 Excursion boat set sale on West Lake Okoboji. Pausley says it won’t go unnoticed.

Last year the Queen 2 moved to a new dock where’s there’s shade and more room for lines. And this year the ticketing process will be streamlined.

Pausley says the 2026 commemorate beer at Arnolds Park will be named in honor of the Queen 2.

The daily schedules vary, but weekend cruises are often offered at 1, 3, 5, and 7.

30 years ago, Arnolds Park Amusement Park hired some bands to play in a tin shed they called “The New Roof Garden.” Three decades later the weekend concerts are as popular as the amusement park rides themselves. Pausley reminds you that the music Saturday night is always free.

But with several sell-outs last year, the park continues to add ticketed events both on Preservation Plaza and inside.

Tuesday night’s feature big band music and the Iowa Rock and Roll Music Association hosts “Rock the Roof” on Wednesdays.
And there’s a new credit card system at the concession stand this year in hopes of moving the lines faster.