Attractions are the backbone of a successful park. Some provide a steady base of Appeal no matter where you place them; others scale their Appeal from the dinosaurs guests can see nearby. The “best” pick depends on your layout, species mix, and which guest demographics you want to draw. Here’s how to choose the right tools and place them well.

Attraction mechanics that decide what “best” means

Appeal comes from two places: buildings with a fixed Appeal value (for example, Innovation Centres and Activity Centres) and viewing attractions that pull Appeal from local dinosaurs (for example, Cretaceous Cruise, Balloon Tours, and Dinosaur Encounter). Only dinosaurs in view of guests actually contribute to your Park Appeal, so sightlines matter as much as the building itself.

  • Visibility is king: dinosaurs must be visible from a viewing attraction to generate Appeal. Use the Dinosaur Visibility View Mode to find coverage gaps.
  • Comfort still applies: some species prefer nests out of sight. Plan camera angles and gallery placement to respect comfort thresholds.
  • Crowds happen: high‑Appeal viewing spots will clump guests. Widen paths and add alternate viewing options to split foot traffic, then cluster amenities nearby to capture spend.
  • Demographics count: some attractions appeal more to specific visitor types (e.g., Nature guests for Viewing Platforms and Galleries). Activity Centres and Innovation Centres can be customized to target preferences.

Best attractions by goal

Reliable, drop‑anywhere Appeal: Innovation Centre

If you need guaranteed Appeal that doesn’t depend on animal sightlines, the Innovation Centre is the anchor. It’s an education‑first, entertainment building with a set Appeal value and customization options to match your audience. Place it in a high‑traffic district and connect all entrances to your path network.

  • Why pick it: consistent Appeal, demographic tuning, no dependency on enclosure visibility.
  • Build notes: place, customize, and power; ensure every entrance is pathed.

Wide, safe sightlines from the sky: Balloon Tour

Balloon Tours are special viewing rides that lift guests into a safe, overhead vantage point. They excel at showing multiple habitats without adding fences or threading paths through tight terrain. Use them to blanket large zones where ground galleries struggle to see over foliage and terrain.

  • Why pick it: broad line‑of‑sight to many species from a secure perch.
  • Build notes: plan routes to sweep across active enclosure edges and open vistas.

Waterfront showcases: Cretaceous Cruise

When your animals congregate at rivers or lakes, the Cretaceous Cruise puts guests on the water in kayaks for close‑range viewing. Routes must be plotted over water, and the station needs to sit partially in the water with the entrance on land. It’s ideal for mixed wetlands where shoreline behavior drives the spectacle.

  • Why pick it: high‑impact views where enclosures meet water.
  • Build notes: sculpt shallow or deep water first, then place the dock and loop a water‑only route.

Showpiece for apex species: Amphitheatre

The Amphitheatre is built to present large carnivores in a controlled, dramatic setting while still counting as a viewing attraction. It provides dinosaur visibility to guests and works best when connected to secure enclosures via fencing at the opening.

  • Why pick it: focused visibility for headline predators with strong crowd pull.
  • Build notes: attach security fences at the mouth, power it, and plan generous paths for crowd flow.

Hands‑on moments (safely): Dinosaur Encounter

Dinosaur Encounter lets guests interact with and feed small to medium herbivores. It’s a crowd‑pleaser that derives Appeal from compatible species in view. It requires periodic food restocks by your Maintenance Team, and not every dinosaur is eligible, so double‑check compatibility before you commit.

  • Why pick it: memorable interactions that convert into demand for nearby amenities.
  • Build notes: attach to a fence or build the enclosure off the Encounter; plan service access for restocks.

Flexible coverage in tight builds: Viewing Platforms and Remote Galleries

Fence‑attachable Viewing Platforms and Galleries are your standard tools for land exhibits, with variants for Lagoons and Aviaries. When fences don’t give you the angles you want, Remote Viewing Galleries (Dome, Lagoon Dome, and Log) extend sightlines deeper into habitats via a tunnel connected to a Remote Viewing Entrance.

  • Why pick it: precise control over sightlines; useful for terrain‑heavy or foliage‑dense exhibits.
  • Build notes: for remote views, place an Entrance, pick a remote gallery, then connect them with a tunnel and power both ends.

Targeted footfall and spend: Activity Centre

Activity Centres provide a set amount of Appeal and can be tuned to attract specific guest demographics. Use them to seed demand around food, drink, and shopping so those venues have the right audience queued up.

  • Why pick it: predictable Appeal and demographic steering for amenity hubs.
  • Build notes: customize the attraction type, then co‑locate with amenities on wide paths.

Quick reference: best pick by scenario

Goal Best pick Why Key build notes
Guaranteed Appeal anywhere Innovation Centre Fixed Appeal and audience customization Path every entrance; place in high‑traffic zones
Cover many exhibits with one route Balloon Tour Safe aerial sightlines across multiple habitats Plot routes over enclosure edges and open areas
Showcase riverbanks and lakes Cretaceous Cruise On‑water proximity to animals using waterways Station partly in water; water‑only route
Headliner predator moments Amphitheatre Purpose‑built viewing for large carnivores Fence the opening; allocate extra path width
Interactive family draw Dinosaur Encounter Guest interactions with compatible herbivores Attach to fence; plan maintenance restocks
Fix blind spots in dense enclosures Remote Viewing (Dome / Log / Lagoon Dome) Deep, targeted sightlines beyond fences Entrance + tunnel to remote gallery; power both
Boost spend near amenities Activity Centre Set Appeal and demographic targeting Co‑locate with shops on wide paths

Placement tactics that actually move the needle

  • Start with visibility, then add buildings: run the Dinosaur Visibility View Mode before you place attractions. Prioritize gallery angles over aesthetics; you can dress the area later.
  • Design for comfort: if a species prefers hidden nesting, offset galleries and use remote views that don’t stare directly into sensitive areas.
  • Plan for congestion: any high‑Appeal viewing spot will become a choke point. Use wider paths, secondary galleries, and parallel tours to spread guests out.
  • Monetize the moment: concentrate amenities around your most popular viewing attractions, Hotels, and transit stops to lift on‑site income.
  • Use the right variant: Aviary and Lagoon exhibits need their dedicated viewing structures; don’t force land galleries to do the job.

Build around a few anchors—Innovation Centre for guaranteed Appeal, Balloon Tour or Cretaceous Cruise for sweeping views, Amphitheatre or Dinosaur Encounter for signature moments—then fill the gaps with tailored viewing galleries. Keep sightlines clean, comfort intact, and paths generous, and the best attraction for your park will be the one that stays busy without creating a bottleneck.