Wild West theme park just a few hours from the UK has cowboys, ‘bank robberies’ and kid-friendly missions
THERE are plenty of theme parks across Europe, which means holidaymakers probably haven’t heard about every single one.
Located near Värnamo in southern Sweden, High Chaparral is a Wild West Theme Park that’s home to shows, games and child-friendly missions.
The Swedish theme park has attracted plenty of visitors ever since it opened in 1966.
High Chaparral was brought to life by Swedish businessman and cowboy enthusiast Bengt Erlandsson.
Named after an American TV show, holidaymakers from across Sweden flocked to the attraction when it first opened in the late 1960s.
When it first opened, the theme park was a single fort but it soon expanded to include other activities and attractions.
One of the most popular attractions at High Chaparral is its shows, which bring Westerns to life.
According to the theme park’s website, there are currently nine shows being performed at High Chaparral.
For example, there’s the Wild West Stunt show at the Western Area, where actors perform on horseback giving audiences a true taste of what life would’ve been like in the Wild West.
Other shows include Annie and Billy, which depicts the life of sharpshooter Annie Oakley.
There’s also the Crazy Antics with Tom, Huck and Becky, Line Dancing with the Dalton Family as well as many more.
Aside from the shows, there are plenty of other western-themed attractions at the Swedish theme park, including a steam train journey where the train is robbed by bandits.
Younger visitors can also “Hunt for Bad Guys” from their seats in a bid to save the western town from bank robbers.
Other activities include a Paddle Steamer across the river, panning for gold and can tossing as well as games like Wheel of Fortune.
The theme park is also home to its very own museum called the Big Bengt Mini Museum, which details the life and legacy of the theme park’s creator.
Park-goers can also stay overnight at the theme park in a range of different accommodation options, including cabins, trailers and camping pitches.
High Chaparral has a 4/5 star rating from nearly 300 reviews on TripAdvisor.
One person wrote: “High Chaparral is just great! It’s the first time we have been there, and my seven-year-old son just loved it.”
Someone else added: “An authentic Wild West theme park that’s really great fun.”
A third person said: “I’ve been to some of the best theme parks in the world and I think High Chaparral is a very well-made theme park even by American standards.”
Entry tickets to High Chaparral cost SEK 449 (£33.84) for a full-paying adult, while tickets for children aged between 3 to 14 cost SEK 369 (£27.81).
High Chaparral is a two-hour drive from Gothenburg.
Ryanair operates direct flights from Manchester Airport to Gothenburg, with prices starting from £17 for a one-way ticket.
There are plenty of other little-known theme parks dotted throughout Europe, including another one in Sweden.
Located in Vimmerby in Sweden, Astrid Lindgrens Värld is home to over 100 settings from the world of Astrid Lindgren – the Swedish author who wrote Pippi Longstocking and other children’s books.
Throughout the theme park, young park-goers can meet their favourite characters from children’s books like Pippi Longstocking, Emil i Lönneberga and Karlsson-on-the-Roof.
There are also plenty of play areas for children to explore too, including the Play Barn in Katthult, which has a small toy shop, clothes for dressing up, secret passages and old farm equipment.
Use these tips on your next theme park trip
Next time you visit a theme park, you may want to use our top tips to make the most of your adrenaline-inducing day out.
- Go to the back of the theme park first. Rides at the front will have the longest queues as soon as it opens.
- Go on water rides in the middle of the day in the summer – this will cool you off when the sun is at its hottest.
- Download the park’s app to track which rides have the shortest queues.
- Visit on your birthday, as some parks give out “birthday badges” that can get you freebies.
- If it rains, contact the park. Depending on how much it rained, you may get a free ticket to return.
Set in Zator in Southern Poland, Energylandia is thought to be one of the largest amusement parks in Europe.
Energylandia first opened its doors in 2014 and is now home to more than 123 rides and attractions, which sit across six different zones.
