Unlike the cost of food and gas, ticket prices for many Six Flags theme parks are going down. Participating parks are reducing the price of regular admission by 10 dollars for the remainder of the 2008 season.

Most of the parks are open daily through Labor Day, then weekends through Halloween. Purchase tickets online and pay $49.99 (includes one free ticket for a friend) for admission to Six Flags America, $39.99 for Six Flags Great Adventure and $29.99 for Six Flags Over Georgia, Six Flags New England and Discovery Kingdom.

Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey recently opened The Dark Knight coaster, an indoor thrill ride based on this summer's Batman movie. Guests become citizens of Gotham City, twisting and turning as they attempt to escape from The Joker. Other thrill rides include Superman: The Ultimate Flight, a headfirst roller coaster that spirals through twister steel tracks, and the Nitro, a seven-story mega-coaster. A more family-friendly adventure is Wild Safari, which is only $9.99 with purchase of a theme park ticket. The 350-acre wildlife preserve is home to over 1,200 animals that walk right up to your car for an up-close encounter. Children-friendly activities include kids' rides at Wiggles World and Looney Tunes Seaport.

Six Flags Over Georgia in Atlanta is known for its thrilling roller coasters, but also offers a wonderful selection of family and kid-friendly rides. New for 2008 is "Thomas the Tank Engine," a replica train that takes parents and kids on a journey around the Island of Sodor, the setting from the Thomas the Tank Engine television series. Older kids will no doubt want to take a spin on the park's breathtaking roller coasters. Celebrating its 30th anniversary this season is the Mind Bender, North America's first triple-loop coaster. The Goliath, a 200-foot-tall steel roller coaster, is another option for the adventurous. A more moderate and family-friendly choice is the Dahlonega Mine Train, a locomotive that also twists, turns, and drops, but on a milder scale.

Get in touch with your wild side with a visit to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, California. The park has over 30 animal attractions and plenty of live shows and exhibits. Watch Atlantic bottlenose dolphins perform high-flying aerobatics at Merlin's Island Party or play tug-of-war with an African elephant at the Elephant Encounter & Log Pull. If you want more hands-on activities, visit the Animal Outpost, where you can get close up and personal with all sorts of creatures. Discovery Kingdom's rides are also animal and nature-themed. Some family-friendly rides include Monkey Business, a classic teacup ride, and Congo Queen, a family boat ride.

New at Six Flags America in Baltimore, Maryland is Tony Hawk's Halfpipe, a four-story waterslide (pictured above). Jump on a rubber tube and "skate" up and down a U-shaped slide with the help of water spray jets. Kids who don't meet the 42-inch height requirement will enjoy Looney Tunes themed children's rides such as Bugs Bunny's Back Lot Trucking Company and Sylvester's Pounce and Bounce.

The fun doesn't stop after dark at Six Flags New England in Springfield, Massachusetts. This summer, the park debuts The Glow in the Park Parade, which includes floats, performances and a light show. Six Flags New England is also home to Hurricane Harbor, the area's largest water park. Hurricane Harbor, which is free with park admission, has two wave pools, over a dozen water slides, a children's play area and a water coaster.

For more information, visit the Six Flag'swebsite.

by Patty Lee

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