A wooden roller coaster built in 1920 still sends riders plunging 70 feet into a natural ravine. Even better, it does it twice in a row with a famous double dip.
The ride is only about 40 feet tall. Somehow, the drop is longer than the coaster is high.
I love that kind of old-school trickery, and kids clearly do too.
It’s the second-oldest operating roller coaster in the United States. Engineers designed it back when cars still needed hand cranks.
Yet the back row still delivers a pop of airtime that lifts riders right off their seats.
This gem sits in western Pennsylvania, inside a park that has entertained families since 1898. I can’t imagine a better way to share a century of thrills with a kid.
So which seat would you pick?
Meet The Century-Old Rabbit That Still Hops Like A Youngster
June 18, 1920, was opening day for the Jack Rabbit at Kennywood. More than a hundred years later, this wooden coaster is still rolling and still drawing happy shrieks.
The ride ranks as the second-oldest operating roller coaster in the United States. Worldwide, it sits at number five.
That puts it in a very small club of rides older than your great-grandparents.
John A. Miller and Harry C.
Baker designed it. Miller had just patented something called under-friction wheels.
Those wheels grip the track from below, which let coasters handle steeper drops safely.
Back then, that idea was a big deal. It opened the door for bolder layouts and bigger thrills.
The Jack Rabbit became one of the first rides to show off what those wheels could do.
So when kids climb aboard today, they’re riding a real piece of engineering history. They just won’t care much about that part.
They’ll be too busy screaming and laughing.
Honestly, that’s the best tribute any old coaster could ask for. Pennsylvania has plenty of history, but few pieces of it come with airtime.
A history lesson usually doesn’t make anyone grin this wide.
Grab The Back Seat If You Want To Float
Seventy feet of drop on a 40-foot-tall coaster sounds like bad math. The trick is the land itself.
The Jack Rabbit uses a natural ravine to stretch its plunge way past its height.
The star moment is the famous double dip. The train drops, pauses for a split second, and then drops again.
That second dip is where the magic happens for many riders.
Fans call the feeling ejector airtime. Your body lifts off the seat while the train keeps falling.
It’s quick, wild, and totally harmless fun.
Want the strongest version? Head for the rear seats.
The back of the train gets pulled over the hill faster, so the float feels bigger.
Younger riders may prefer the middle for a softer ride. Bolder kids will beg for the back row again and again.
Either way, nobody leaves without a story.
It’s also smart to ride twice in different spots. Front and back feel like two separate coasters.
That’s a sneaky way to double the fun without finding a second ride. And yes, the giggles usually start before the train even stops rolling.
Speed, Length, And A Tunnel With A Comeback Story
Numbers fans, this one’s for you. The Jack Rabbit runs on 2,132 feet of track.
It reaches speeds up to 45 miles per hour.
The whole trip lasts about one minute and 36 seconds. That’s long enough to scream several times and still catch your breath.
There are no loops or upside-down moments, which makes it friendly for first-timers.
Then there’s the tunnel. It covers the turnaround section and adds a burst of darkness mid-ride.
Kids love that surprise moment when the daylight disappears.
Fun fact: the original tunnel came down in 1947. For decades, riders went without it.
Then in 1991, Kennywood brought back a slightly shorter version.
I like that the park chose to restore it. It shows real care for how the ride was meant to feel.
Some upgrades are about adding new things, but this one was about bringing an old favorite home.
The trains have their own history too. Edward Vettel Sr. built them in 1951.
They use stationary lap bars, so riders feel snug but still get that classic open feeling.
Landmark Status Makes Every Ride Feel A Little Fancy
Not every coaster earns an official honor. In 2010, American Coaster Enthusiasts named the Jack Rabbit an ACE Roller Coaster Landmark.
That title goes to rides with real historical weight. It recognizes both their age and their lasting impact on the coaster world.
The Jack Rabbit easily checks both boxes.
The whole park carries honors too. Kennywood is a designated National Historic Landmark.
That’s rare for an amusement park, and it says a lot about this place’s place in American history.
Around Pittsburgh, riding the Jack Rabbit is often called a rite of passage. Parents rode it as kids.
Now their own children line up for the same double dip.
That’s a lovely chain to be part of. Few family traditions come with a 70-foot drop.
I believe that kind of shared memory is worth more than any souvenir from a gift shop.
So when your kid climbs off grinning, tell them what they just did. They rode a landmark.
It might be the coolest history fact they bring to school all year.
Two More Wooden Classics Are Waiting Nearby
One vintage wooden coaster would be impressive. Kennywood has three from the 1920s, all in the same park.
The Racer opened in 1927. It sends two trains side by side, so friends can challenge each other to see who wins.
Siblings, prepare for plenty of bragging rights.
Then comes the Thunderbolt. It began life in 1924 as a ride called Pippin.
In 1968, it was renovated into the Thunderbolt that riders know today.
Having all three in one spot makes for a fun mini tour. Kids can compare drops, speeds, and which one made them yell loudest.
Make a little scorecard and let them rate each ride.
It’s a great way to show how coasters changed through the decades. Each one has its own personality.
Nobody needs a museum when the exhibits come with seatbelts and lap bars.
Not many parks anywhere can offer this kind of lineup. Classic wood fans travel far for rides like these.
Here in Pennsylvania, they’re all within an easy stroll of each other.
Big Thrills Live Right Next Door To The Old-Timers
History is charming, but sometimes teens want loops. Good news: Kennywood mixes old favorites with modern steel giants.
The park has more than 40 attractions, including eight roller coasters. That’s a solid range for families with kids of different ages and nerve levels.
Football fans get their own treat. One area of the park is themed to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
It’s home to the Steel Curtain coaster, a black-and-gold beast for bigger thrill seekers.
Phantom’s Revenge is another headliner. It’s a modern coaster that dives down through the hilly terrain.
That park landscape clearly keeps helping coaster designers, even a century later.
So a family can split up for a bit and still have fun. Older kids chase the big rides.
Younger kids stick with the classics and gentler options, then everyone meets up later.
I like that balance a lot. Nobody feels stuck waiting around all day.
The park manages to serve the brave, the cautious, and the in-between crowd, which is basically every family on earth.
Little Riders Get Their Own Corners Of Fun
Not every guest is tall enough for the Jack Rabbit yet. Kennywood planned for that with two dedicated kids’ zones.
These areas give smaller children rides sized just right for them. Young kids get to feel brave without being overwhelmed.
That builds confidence fast.
Think of it as coaster training camp. A child who loves the little rides today may be begging for the double dip in a year or two.
Watching that progress is half the joy for parents.
A smart plan is to start the day in a kids’ zone. Let little ones warm up while energy and patience are high.
Then try a classic ride together if they meet the height rules.
Always check height requirements before getting in line. Nobody wants a meltdown at the entrance.
A quick measure at home can save a lot of tears.
These zones also give parents a breather. Kids can run around in a space made for them.
Meanwhile, grown-ups can plan which wooden coaster comes next and secretly count down the minutes.
Save Room For Those Famous Fries
Ask around Pittsburgh about Kennywood food, and Potato Patch fries come up fast. They’re one of the park’s best-known snacks.
Fries and roller coasters make a classic pair. Just maybe enjoy them after the double dip, not right before.
Your stomach will thank you later.
Here’s a practical tip that catches people off guard. Kennywood is fully cashless.
Admissions, food stands, gift shops, and games all take only electronic payments.
That means debit cards, credit cards, and mobile payments are your go-to options. Leave the coin jar at home.
If kids have their own spending money, consider loading it onto a card ahead of time.
Planning meals around ride breaks also helps. A snack stop gives little legs a rest.
It’s also a great time to talk through which ride was the scariest.
Sharing a big order of fries is a fun family moment too. Everyone grabs a few, and nobody argues.
Well, almost nobody. A good amusement park day runs on thrills, laughter, and a steady supply of crispy potatoes.
Plan Your Trip Around The Seasons
Timing matters here. Kennywood runs seasonally, usually opening in mid-to-late April and operating daily through the summer.
Once fall arrives, the schedule shifts to weekends. That’s when Phantom Fall Fest brings spooky seasonal fun.
Later, Holiday Lights turns the park into a glowing winter treat.
Hours change throughout the year, so check the schedule before you go. Some weekend nights run late, which is great for families who love evening rides.
Rides can also close for maintenance, so have a backup plan ready.
Getting there is simple. The park sits at 4800 Kennywood Blvd, West Mifflin, PA 15122.
It’s just minutes from downtown Pittsburgh, so a city trip pairs nicely with a park day.
Since 2025, Herschend has owned Kennywood. The park first opened on May 30, 1898, and it’s been delighting guests for over 125 years.
That’s a lot of birthdays for one Pennsylvania park. And somehow, the Jack Rabbit still acts young.
Bring the kids, pick a back seat, and let a 1920s wooden coaster prove that old-fashioned fun never really goes out of style.
