Six Flags Great America
Previously known as Marriott's Great America (1976–1984) | |
Logo used since 2025 | |
Columbia Carousel and the park's entrance plaza in 2025 | |
Interactive map of Six Flags Great America | |
| Location | Gurnee, Illinois, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 42°22′03″N 87°56′04″W / 42.36750°N 87.93444°W |
| Status | Operating |
| Public transit | 565, 572 |
| Opened | May 29, 1976 |
| Owner | Six Flags |
| Slogan | The Thrill Capital of the Midwest |
| Operating season | April to November |
| Attendance | 3.045 million in 2024 |
| Area | 275 acres (1.11 km2) |
| Attractions | |
| Total | 45 (as of 2026) |
| Roller coasters | 16 |
| Water rides | 3 |
| Website | www |
Six Flags Great America (formerly known as Marriott's Great America) is an amusement park in Gurnee, Illinois, United States, between Chicago and Milwaukee. Owned and operated by Six Flags, the park features 45 attractions, including 16 roller coasters, and an adjacent water park named Hurricane Harbor Chicago. It frequently ranks as one of the top 20 most-visited amusement parks in North America, with an estimated 3.05 million visitors in 2024.
In 1973, the hospitality company Marriott Corporation announced plans to build a regional theme park located in the Chicago metropolitan area. Named Marriott's Great America, the park would be one of two near-identical Americana-themed parks built by the company. The park opened to the public on May 29, 1976. It was later sold to the amusement park operator Six Flags in 1984, which renamed it Six Flags Great America. Since then, the park significantly expanded under Six Flags ownership.
Spanning 275 acres (111 ha), Six Flags Great America is divided into 11 themed sections, including areas based on Americana and DC Comics, along with children's areas. Operating seasonally from April to November, the park hosts its annual Halloween event Fright Fest in the fall. Six Flags Great America has received recognition from organizations including the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE), and Amusement Today. It has been featured in popular culture such as the film Richie Rich and the web series Run BTS.