Without Joyland, Lubbock Families Must Travel For Fun

It's another summer in Lubbock without very much to do for kids. Growing up, I at least had the luxury of public pools and the iconic, retro, quirky, charming Joyland Amusement Park to enjoy.

Why Did Joyland Close In Lubbock?

Joyland became increasingly difficult for its owners to manage; it frequently flooded and was often vandalized, making insuring the park difficult.

One of the orginal owners passed away, and the family was (understandably) uninterested in attempting to keep the park afloat.

Despite these setbacks, Lubbock hoped that Joyland could sell to new owners who could make repairs and revamp the park.

However, the proposed sale went sour. Rumors circulated that the interested buyer had lost funding and/or discovered deeper problems with Joyland that they would be unable to overcome.

Sadly, the future of Joyland was doomed, and all the rides went up for sale.

The Closest Amusement Park To Lubbock (And The Closest Thing To Joyland)

The closest amusement park to Lubbock is also the most similar place you'll find to our Joyland. Wonderland Amusement Park in Amarillo, Texas, is about a 2-hour drive away, making a day trip to the park possible.

Wonderland is open every Wednesday through Sunday during the summer months. Passes to the park range from about $33 to $50 dollars, per the website. Children under 36" can enter the park for free and enjoy rides that allow their height.

How Is Wonderland Similar To Joyland?

Both have that quirky, cute retro vibe on some of the rides. Wonderland has bumper cars, water slides, a carousel, and plenty of family rides that are quite similar to what Joyland had.

However, Wonderland does have more to offer than Joyland ever did, with mini golf, a river rapid ride, bigger coasters, and an extraordinarily charming haunted house-type ride. Some of these extras are extra, so budget accordingly.

For me, Amarillo is well worth the day trip for the food alone, so adding in Wonderland may be perfect for your family (or just you, no judgements here).

Still would rather have Joyland? Here's a video with plenty of POV shots to help you relive the memories:

Kids Eat Free: Lubbock Restaurants That Offer Meals And Deals

Looking for free (or heavily discounted) eats for the kids in Lubbock? We've got you covered Monday through Thursday and Sundays, too. Remember, promotions can change, so ask your server before ordering or call ahead if you want to be absolutely sure of the discount.

Gallery Credit: Renee Raven