When Kennywood first opened its gates in 1899, the entertainment consisted of a dance pavilion, a restaurant, and a carousel.

Though at first the activities were limited, the park grew into something much larger.

Kennywood’s first roller coaster opened in 1902, and it was named the Figure Eight Toboggan. The Figure Eight Toboggan closed in 1973, but the legacy that it started would surpass its existence.

They opened additional roller coasters throughout the century, all of which were great successes, leading to the Kennywood we now know and love.

In modern times, Kennywood is home to eight roller coasters. All of the roller coasters offer their own unique riding experiences, so all of the coasters are worth riding. However, some coasters are better than others. 

Here is our ranked list of Kennywood roller coasters!

No. 8: Lil’ Phantom

Yes, this is counted as a roller coaster at Kennywood, so it must be added to the list.

Opened in 1996 (making it older than the current Phantom’s Revenge ride), this coaster is located in the kids section of Kennywood.

This is a great option for young visitors of Kennywood who may want to experience a roller coaster, but are not big enough to ride on the regular roller coasters.

It’s a small, gentle rollercoaster that gives just enough thrills without being scary.

Unfortunately, that is also why it comes in last place. It’s for kids. While this ride is fun for kids, adults may find it underwhelming; however, that’s probably for the best. While this coaster comes last on the list, it’s a wonderful addition for kids who want to be a part of the thrills at Kennywood.

No. 7: Steel Curtain

Opened in 2019, this is the newest addition to the coasters at Kennywood.

The opening of this ride was one of the most anticipated in Kennywood’s history.

It boasted the record for the tallest roller coaster in Pennsylvania at 220 feet, and the record for most inversions on a roller coaster (nine) in North America.

Not to mention the fact that it’s Pittsburgh Steelers themed, as its name is a reference to the Steelers defensive lineup, also sometimes nicknamed “The Steel Curtain.”

It also opened alongside a Pittsburgh Steelers-themed section of the park, so anticipation was high all around.

But favors began to fall before the ride even finished construction. Many complained that the ride was too big and looked out of place while disrupting the skyline of the park. This isn’t helped by the fact that the ride supports are bright yellow, due to the Steelers theming.

The ride survived the initial criticism of its appearance, but that was only the beginning.

Once the roller coaster opened and was finally being ridden, complaints that it was too rough began to arise. However, many roller coasters are rough, and that is far from the Steel Curtain’s biggest problem.

The biggest complaint against this roller coaster is that it is almost never open. The Steel Curtain remained closed for the entire 2024 season of Kennywood. Kennywood even faced a class action lawsuit for this. The plaintiff claimed that Kennywood advertised season passes without disclosing the fact that Steel Curtain would be closed for the year. 

While I want to like this ride, unfortunately, the negatives outweigh the positives. As previously stated, many people complain about how rough the ride is, and I agree. Every ride on the Steel Curtain was fun, but the force was too much and it weighed my head down, making my neck hurt after I got off. Additionally, the fact that it is always closed down makes me a bit suspicious of it.

Overall, while this coaster is the biggest at Kennywood, it also comes with the biggest problems, earning it almost last on the list. 

No. 6: Racer

This is the first wooden coaster on our list, and the second oldest coaster in Kennywood.

Opened in 1927, this is a one-of-a-kind racing coaster. A racing coaster has two trains that “race” each other on the track, with the train that reaches the end first being the winner.

Normally, this coaster consists of two mirrored tracks that race alongside each other. The racer, however, is only one track, and it is the only racing roller coaster in America to have this kind of track. This setup allows the cars to switch which side of the track they are on by the end of the ride. 

This is a very popular ride at Kennywood, and it’s easy to tell why. It’s simply a fun ride, especially because you can jokingly taunt the people in the other cart (just hope you don’t end up losing).

It’s also the ride that houses the “DON’T STAND UP” sign, an iconic Kennywood symbol.

This rollercoaster is perfect for families, as it’s the perfect first time coaster, due to its thrilling yet gentle nature. While it is entertaining, other more exciting rides will earn higher spots on the list. 

No. 5: Jack Rabbit

We’ve told you about the second oldest coaster, but the Jack Rabbit is the oldest coaster in the park, as it opened in 1920.

This wooden coaster is very popular, as it’s close to the entrance of the park and usually what people ride first.

In fact, when talking to people about Kennywood roller coasters, many said this was the very first coaster they rode as a child, so it’s near and dear to many hearts.

One man, Vic Klemen, loved the coaster so much he rode over 5,000 times. He claimed he first rode it in 1959 and rode it up until his unfortunate passing in 2016. For the ride’s 95th birthday in 2015, he celebrated by riding the coaster 95 times in a row!

While it’s clearly well-loved, this coaster is very old, which works both for and against it. In terms of roller coaster building, the 1920s had some limitations. Many say that the ride is outdated and boring in some parts, while other parts feel rickety. On the contrary, others say that the “boring” parts are just slow, so they give the ride a nice pacing, and the rickety parts are exhilarating. 

This coaster comes at No. 5 because I am part of the latter group of people. I believe that the pace of the coaster is not underwhelming, but instead has a classic feel to it.

This ride also features its famous “double dip,” which is one of my favorite parts of any roller coaster at Kennywood. It does feel a little dated when compared to other coasters at the park, but it is more than 100 years old, so that is to be expected.

No. 4: Sky Rocket

The Sky Rocket is one of the newer roller coasters at Kennywood Park and will be turning 15 years old this June!

Established in 2010, this coaster inhabits the area near the front of the park and is a popular choice for a first ride whenever walking into the park.

The Sky Rocket is known for its unique launch that propels riders from 0 to 50 miles per hour in just a few seconds, giving an adrenaline rush right from the start. The ride includes a series of inversions, including a vertical loop and corkscrew, as well as a steep drop that adds to the excitement. With its vibrant blue track and futuristic design, the Sky Rocket offers an exhilarating experience for thrill-seekers. 

While it is definitely a fun experience, much of the thrill is over whenever the first drop ends. The ride is almost too efficient when it comes to speed. It starts so fast that there is very little buildup; in fact, this is the shortest ride at Kennywood, lasting just over a minute. This negative factor does not make the ride any less thrilling, however. It has just enough energy to outweigh the fact that the roller coaster is short, earning it the number four spot. 

No. 3: Phantom’s Revenge

The Phantom’s Revenge was established in 1991, originally known as the Steel Phantom, and was revamped in 2001 to what we know and love today.

The Steel Phantom was known for its speed and rough handling of its passengers, as passengers were advised to remove any jewelry when riding for fear that it could potentially injure anyone on the ride. This was one of the reasons that the roller coaster needed to be revamped. There was also a huge safety upgrade, with the added installation of seat belts and lap bars to make the passengers more secure. 

Today’s Phantom reaches a whopping speed of 85 miles per hour and has a grand sweeping drop and even goes through the structure of the Thunderbolt.

I put this coaster at a solid No. 3 because of its thrilling first drop at the beginning of the roller coaster; this is a grand entrance that only increases the adrenaline and enjoyment of the ride.

It is also important to note that the Phantom’s Revenge is an intense roller coaster, but it is not nearly as rough as some other steel coasters. While some may argue that it should be higher on the list, the other two that surpass the Phantom’s Revenge have more personality and intrigue when compared to the Phantom, so in the end, it all comes down to personal preference. 

No. 2: Thunderbolt

The Thunderbolt opened in 1924, originally known as the Pippin’, and was designed by John A. Miller. However, the Pippin’ isn’t quite how we remember it to be today, as it underwent a significant track alteration in 1968 where its name was also changed.

So while the Thunderbolt would be considered the second oldest coaster, this track change is enough to say it opened in 1968.

The Thunderbolt is debatably the most iconic coaster in all of Kennywood, and in some cases, the country.

In 1974, the New York Times titled the Thunderbolt “The King of Coasters” and said it was the best coaster in America. Today, competition is steep due to the innovation of roller coasters in the years since the Thunderbolt received its title, but for a more than 50-year-old wooden coaster, the Thunderbolt is still incredibly exciting.

The Thunderbolt has drops that rival steel coasters. It was built on a hill, meaning that this coaster is positioned in a way that makes it start with a drop, instead of an incline like most coasters. The Thunderbolt is also known for its rule about riding with a partner.

You must ride with a partner, no exceptions. This is because the coaster is intense, and it has no seat dividers, meaning if you rode alone, you would be thrown around in the cart. This rule shows just how extreme the ride is. When you are riding, just hope you are the one doing the crushing, not the one being crushed by your seat partner.

The Thunderbolt is a classic coaster that manages to never feel outdated, which is a hard feat. The dips and drops of the coaster come with a lot of adrenaline, but it is one of the only coasters that never hurts (except if my seat partner is heavy).

While other coasters may be newer and more technologically advanced, somehow the Thunderbolt still manages to come out as “The King of Coasters”… if Kennywood wasn’t home to the number one coaster on our list.

N0. 1: Exterminator

Tucked away in the far back of the park is Kennywood’s most underrated coaster, the Exterminator.

The Exterminator is a indoor, dark rollercoaster that opened in 1999.

I had a complicated relationship with the coaster as a child; it was very scary to me.

If I were writing this 10 years ago, the Exterminator and the Lil’ Phantom would switch places. Even walking past the sign was too much for me, let alone the ride itself.

The ride features a well-fitting atmosphere that goes nicely with the ride’s theming.

The riders of the Exterminator are rats that are attempting to escape exterminators, so the entire ride is themed around that storyline.

Unfortunately, much of the waiting line’s decoration was removed to make room for a “speedy pass” line, but the theming still lives on inside of the ride.

The idea for the ride most likely came from the kind of coaster that is a “wild mouse” coaster. A wild mouse coaster is a coaster that has single riding cars that spin around on the track. This kind of coaster is very unique for Kennywood, making it a favorite among many riders.

This ride has a couple of elements that all work together to put this coaster at No. 1. The theming and the wild, fast-paced speed of this coaster pair so well together, it would be hard to put it anywhere else on this list.

One of the most common complaints against the Exterminator is that it is too rough. Its roughness is what makes a lot of riders pass up on the ride, and while I agree that it is very rough, it’s simultaneously my favorite thing about it.

When coming off of a rough coaster, usually I need to take a break afterwards. When coming off of the Exterminator, I have a smile on my face and I am ready for more. The difference is that while the Exterminator is rough, it is also exciting, while the other coasters just make me hurt and bring me down. The Exterminator rightfully owns the No. 1 spot on our list, and until something else tops it, it will be staying.