Top 10 alternative theme parks

Over the Labor Day Weekend, some friends invited us to join them at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, Calif, about an hour from our home in San Francisco. We said yes, but I actually dreaded the day. I envisioned us waiting in 10-mile long lines while the kids were whining and melting in the heat. And I thought the tickets would break our bank.

I was wrong! We had a wonderful time and never waited in a single line. I think a lot of families were at bigger-name theme parks over the holiday weekend. And the tickets were quite reasonable, only $30 a person. I realized there's an advantage to visiting a smaller, lesser-known park.

Here's a list of the top 10 theme parks where you'll find shorter lines and more bang for your buck. Weekends in fall are a great time to go because the parks are even less crowded and they often offer deals on tickets.

1) Knott's Berry Farm, Buena Park, Calif.
At the first-ever theme park, ride a train through a ghost town.

2) Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
Don't miss the show highlighting Dolly Parton songs.

3) Kings Dominion, Doswell, Virg.
Roller coasters galore.

4) Magic Springs/Crystal Falls, Hot Springs, Ariz.
From the X Coaster for the brave to a log ride for wee ones.

5) Cypress Gardens Adventure Park, Winter Haven, Fl.
Botanical gardens, Florida-shaped pool, and water ski shows.

6) Carowinds, Charlotte, N.C.
Nickelodean-themed rides include Rugrats Runaway Reptar.

7) Frontier City, Oklahoma City, Okla.
Get your thrills on the Steel Lasso coaster; catch a country-western show.

8) Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz, Calif.
The 100-year-old wooden Big Digger coaster is as fun as ever.

9) Silverwood Theme Park, Athol, Idaho
Blast through tunnels on Tremors; drop 140 feet on the Panic Plunge.

10) Silver Dollar City, Branson, Mo.
Ride a steam engine and listen to a bluegrass band.

Feel free to add others to the list.