Will you be dropping 20 stories free-fall, executing a "high tech" loop de loop or rafting past too-real looking dinosaurs this summer? If you're one of the countless Americans who will head to amusement parks this summer, you're likely to encounter these thrills and chills. But, scary rides and snow cones don't necessarily rule out educational experiences. With the help of the World Wide Web, and some lists of hot-links, you can sneak some learning into your summer.

Start with a visit to the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Park and Attraction Profiles page . On this page, you'll find information about parks all over the world. You can search for a park in your geographic area (by state, country, U.S. region, or international region.). Or, if you wish, you can search by type of operation (for example: Amusement Park , Waterpark etc.) or by special features offered by the park. (for example: ethnic events) While this site has a lot of information, it provides data-base information but no links to the "official" pages maintained by many parks.

One easy way to surf the amusement park sites is with a visit to a list of links. I found one, assembled by an amusement park fan.

This site contains links to more than 50 sites, in alphabetical order. I visited many of them, and found that some are very detailed while others are brief, but the list is kept up to date so each link works. Bookmark this page for future travel planning.

The Dinosaur Beach theme park, located on the beach boardwalk in Wildwood, NJ, offers a lot of the rides and games you'd expect in a theme park. A visit to the site might give you an idea for some of the educational possibilities there, too. The park features an "Interactive Dig Area" where kids (and others) can get their hands dirty and use archaeological tools to search for their own fossil. Although New Jersey boardwalk veterans may find it hard to believe, even the Wildwood Boardwalk can be educational.

Marine World Africa-USA is a popular place to visit -- with kids or without -- and education is built into the experience. The Marine World Africa -USA page isn't extra-fancy, but it gets the basic information out. (AOL users should note that there is detailed information about Marine World Africa-USA available on AOL.) This web site offers the most important information if you plan to visit: a link to a train schedule for Caltrain and a rather detailed map.

Unofficial Valley Fair Page: ValleyFair is located in Shakopee, MN. It's well known for a coaster called the Wild Thing, but the site lets you look at some "mild things" it has to offer as well (for example, IMAX theaters, performances, and a Berenstain Bears area.. If you prefer, you can use the site's form to request a brochure.

The second link listed above is for the "unofficial" ValleyFair page, authored by a 14-year -old Minnesotan. For the "inside story", you may wish to check out this page. Surfer's Note: By using a search engine and typing a specific amusement park name into the search field, you may find many unofficial pages for amusement parks. Some are quite informative; others are not. Use discretion.

Whatever your plans this summer, enjoy more time with those you love (or at least LIKE pretty well) and save your sanity by planning ahead with the web.

Happy trails!