No. 10 theme park pick: Hard Rock Park

What happens when you cross the Smithsonian of rock n' roll with a world-class theme park? Guests will find out this spring when Hard Rock Park opens in Myrtle Beach, S.C. The $400 million park occupies 140 acres. Developers expect to draw an estimated 30,000 visitors per day and create more than 3,000 jobs, making the park the largest single tourist investment in South Carolina history.Hard Rock Park will celebrate the history of rock n' roll with six themed areas, from its country roots to the British invasion on through to 1970s glam and punk. Opening-day attractions will include roller coasters, dark rides, extreme play areas as well as a variety of live music shows. Expect to find a healthy supply of rock memorabilia throughout the park, as well.

AGE APPROPRIATE

Ages 8 and up. There will be a smattering of kid-friendly attractions in the park, but to get the most from a visit, a kid ought to be old enough to have developed a taste for rock n' roll.

TOO MUCH FUN

As the name implies, Hard Rock Park will offer plenty of musical entertainment in addition to traditional theme park rides. And not just classic rock, either. The park plans live shows featuring country, blues and even reggae in addition to plenty of rock. Myrtle Beach is a time-tested family attraction, as well, with the beach and a slew of other amusements within a few miles' drive.

BEST ATTRACTION

Led Zeppelin -- The Ride is the park's signature attraction, flipping riders upside down six times on a 155-foot-tall roller coaster as “Whole Lotta Love” plays in the background. That's a whole lotta thrills, indeed.

KEEP 'EM HAPPY

Head over to Kids Rock! State Park, an outdoor, camp-themed play area that features "Slippery When Wet," a bucket-slide ride with a 48-inch minimum rider height. The area also includes rock climbing, rope bridges, forts and water play areas.

TIMING IS EVERYTHING

Hard Rock Park is expected to open to the public for sneak previews in mid-April, with an official opening in early May. New parks tend to have longer waits in their first weeks of operation, as everything gets up to speed.

AVOID THE CROWDS

Consider waiting until later in the summer to visit, after the rush to “be first” into the new park. Whenever you arrive, buy your tickets online to at least save yourself the wait at the ticket booth.

CAN'T MISS

Relive the kitsch and color of the 1970s in “Nights in White Satin,” a dark ride inspired by the Moody Blues' classic. Will it be thrilling, or silly? Either way, this is the ride that has inspired the most preopening speculation. It’ll be located in “Lost in the 70s,” an indoor mall within the park that pays tribute to the decade's music, from glam to disco to punk.

BARGAIN LODGING/DINING

There are several affordable hotel options near the park, which is a short hop from the intersection of US 17 and 501 in Myrtle Beach, including the Holiday Inn West (holidayinnwest.com, 877-438-0200) on the Waterway.

INSIDE TRACK

Can’t wait. Take a “virtual tour” of Hard Rock Park. 

-- Robert Niles, founder/editor of ThemeParkInsider.com