Author: Cassandra Lance-Martinez

Whether you’re young, old or somewhere in between, amusement parks are an enjoyable place to pass the hours — especially with the family. The loops, swoops and twirls of rides elicit smiles and laughter, which can become memories to last a lifetime. The amusement parks featured here have been Texas staples since they opened — and have provided wholesome entertainment for generations. “It reminds me of a traveling carnival,” says Mario Kato, a patron of El Paso’s Western Playland. “But in a permanent location.” The old-timey, circus-like feel of these historic parks provides a unique experience, so why not hop…