Zippin along with Grandma Pippin

If you want to see the magic of the best little amusement park in all the world, just watch an 85-year old scamper through it.

“Come on!” she’ll yell excitedly. “We’re going to ride the train!”

And, if the youngest member of your party is just a tiny bit more hesitant to jump on a ride than her great-grandma is, that’s ok.

Because, just as it has been for more than 100 years, Bay Beach will be there next summer. That toddler will be just a little bit older then, and probably a little less skeptical about loud metal vehicles that move.

It costs exactly the same to get into Bay Beach as it did when I was a kid more than 50 years ago. Nothing. Admission is free.

Much to our surprise, most of the kids rides are also free right now too if you go to the park Tuesday through Thursday.

How’s that for a deal?

Tickets still cost 25 cents, though some of the bigger rides require multiple tickets.

In this high-tech world predicated on change, Bay Beach stands as an oasis of reliability. No one has to say “back in my day” when they talk about their time there. They can just load up their car and drive right on back to their childhood.

If you do head over to Bay Beach with your family, you’ll likely see an octogenarian, who grew up in the shadow of Coney Island, hightailing it over to the newest ferris wheel and calling over her shoulder like she did way back when, “Let’s go! This is my favorite ride!”