The amusement parks, although not holistically, justifies the popular name for Kolkata, which is The City of Joy. The city suburbs are provided with a number of theme parks that have been established to paint the canvas of life with myriad colors of fun and excitement. The amusement parks are stationed in the core areas of the city. These parks offer a wonderful opportunity to escape the clutches of monotony and boredom.

The amusement parks at Kolkata provide a number of exciting activities. There are crazy joy rides, exciting water games, museums, interesting birds and animals and of course lots of people. Such places are somewhat cut off from the hassles of the city, wonderlands where people of all ages meet and have fun by engaging themselves in some crazy activities. For kids a trip to amusement park is worth anything and for adults it is the joy of their kids. Some popular amusement parks in the city include Nicco Park, Safari Park, Clown Town, Fun City, Science City, Woodburn Park and Zoological Garden.

Aquatica
An 8-acre water park has very recently come up near Kolkata on 22 July, 2000. Known as Aquatica, this theme park offers visitors a cool respite from the heat and grime of city life. Located at Kochpukur, Rajarhat, 6 km. from Nicco Park, Aquatica is the latest addition to Kolkata's hangouts.
With artificial waves buffeting you from all sides, tornadoes and dance floors, all ready to whip up a wet dream, Aquatica is the ultimate cool hangout," says Sushovan from Bhavanipur College.

The park easily accommodates 5,000 people. An artificial river meanders through the park. Visitors are allowed to swim and wade in it. The river water is recycled every hour, keeping it crystal clear and welcoming. Aquatica features great rides and adventures such as the Black Hole, where one enters a dark hole from a great height and emerges at the ground level. Tower No. 1 - a 100 feet structure of convoluted tubes - whisks your adrenaline as you slide past twists and turns at blinding speeds. Comic scenes will awaits one at Tornado - a smaller version of Tower No. 1 - with fewer turns and more inclines. One can also opt for the Slide, and enter the water from a great height after sliding down on special mats.

The main attraction of Aquatica is Aqua Wave Pool because of its changing waves. It is a unique spot with the ambience of a leach sans the sun on a sweltering summer day. Around the pool, you can enjoy with car rides which is especially for the kids. Surin suits, tube slides, body slides etc. are available on hire.

Most popular spot among the adults is the Cyclone Pool, better known as the Tornado. Its chief attraction lies in its precarious nature and the possible risks involved (apparently). It is a sweeping fall through a huge tumbler leading into a large pool.

Another place of cool 'masti' is the 'Aqua Dance' or the discotheque on water. Fountains are springing from the small dance floor, where hundreds of soggy bodies jostle with each other as one drenched mass with the sound of non-stop music. Fashion shows and Dandia parties are also held regularly

Nicco Park
Set up in Salt Lake, on the north-eastern fringe of Kolkata (Calcutta), this amusement park covers an area of 40 acres. Joining the modern stream of theme parks, Nico Park is the Disneyland for Kolkattans with its various adventure rides. Popularly known as Jheel Meel. Opened in 1991, Nicco park is one of the biggest amusement parks in the country and has innovative entertainment for all age group. This amusement park offers wholesome fun for children as well as adults and draws crowds from suburban Kolkata especially on the weekends.
Nicco Park is a wonderful place for picnics or freaking out with kith and kin. It is a feast for the eyes of the nature lovers. There is an exquisite Rose Garden and a large Food Park which sells mouth-watering North Indian, Bengali, South Indian and Chinese fast food. The nature lover would simply love to recline on the bed of soft green grass and watch the clear and mackerel sky above. There are severel Kiosks in the park run by reputed restaurants of Kolkata which cater to all tastes with its multitude of palatable cuisines.
Adjacent to the park is the Nalban Boating Complex offering a close-to-nature experience with its greenery, flowers and the cool breezes blowing across the wetlands. Opposite the Salt Lake stadium is the Subhash Sarovar (lake), which is not very well maintained but has the potential to become a nice tourist spot.

Swabhumi
Swabhumi is one of the best heritage parks in the eastern sub region of India. The park is located in the eastern fringes of Kolkata city. The park with a natural hillock portrays the pristine beauty, wrapped in the warm aesthetic ambience. Swabhumi holds some mind blowing treasures of arts and crafts. The park with its rich collections continues to be one of the best visited parks in the city.

The park area is divided into various sections, with each section presenting a speciality of its own. The five main sections at Swabhumi inculcate the traditional crafts village called Shilpgram, the Urban Zone called Sambhar, the Food Park or Santushti, Meenabazar and Sabhaghar. Swabhumi is a gateway to Indian arts and culture. The popular exhibitions in the park display famous works and schools of paintings (Madhubani and Gond paintings), popular crafts (like Dokhra crafts) and designer garments by famous Indian fashion houses. The popular items exhibited include paper products, Kantha Stitch Sarees, Wood Carvings, Block Printed Sarees, Showpieces from Puruliya, Kalimpong and Krishnanagar, Wrought Iron Furniture, Handlooms, etc.
Swabhumi Park can be reached by boarding a bus or hiring a taxi from the center of the city. By train one can drop at Ultadanga Railway Station and take taxi from there. It takes less than an hour from the city center, BBD Bagh.

Science City
The Science City is newest addition to Kolkata's long list of tourist attractions. This architectural showpiece has more than just its external grandeur. A showcase of scientific applications, this is the first and the only institution of its kind in India. The different sections of the complex include the Space odyssey, Dynamotion, Life Science Corners, Science Park, Toy Train & Ropeway , the Dinosaurs Complex and others.