PHOTO BY HUCK BEARD

The Jack Rabbit has its own scent. The wood of the structure and the oil on the tracks mingle with the grass that grows between and underneath to create an aroma that is at once industrial and pastoral — and instantly identifiable to any Pittsburgher.

In this case, any Pittsburgher is meant quite literally, as the Jack Rabbit most likely predates even the oldest Yinzers. Opened in 1920, the wooden coaster is living history — at once a link uniting generations of thrillseekers and an exhibition of what roller coasters looked like a century ago.

PHOTO BY HUCK BEARD

A new lineup of historical photographs, displayed on the wall of the Kennywood Arcade facing the Jack Rabbit line, underlines the endurance of the ride. Here’s a picture of guests wearing long dresses and hats, enjoying a stroll through the park in the ’50s; here are the oversized Kennywood outfits of the ’90s; here’s a picture from last year. Few attractions were available to all of those guests, and fewer still have undergone relatively few changes; the Jack Rabbit, however, is mostly the same as it was in 1920.

And yet: It’s thrilling. The famed double-dip remains one of the most exciting experiences in the park, as the car suggests your body move in one direction while physics demands another. The tight curves are so exhilarating that you might neglect to take in the gorgeous view, with the park’s central lagoon on one side and the idyllic picnic area on the other. This is no throwback, and it’s not for the old folks; this is every bit as heart-pounding an experience as modern rides.

Everything that’s good and memorable about Kennywood is embodied in the Jack Rabbit. The hills and curves handle the excitement; the views and that unmistakable aroma cover the nostalgia. Above the loading area, a series of neon stars recall the park’s late-20th-century era, a time fixed in the mind of many millennial Pittsburghers. The ride seems to pull you out of the park into its own little territory beyond the midway — an echo of the park itself, which transports you away from its working-class neighborhood and into an oasis of fun.

When the park’s soundtrack hits the right song — here, that’s something like Duran Duran or The J. Geils Band, a bright, summer-ready retro hit — there’s no better place to be in all of Pittsburgh than the front car of the Jack Rabbit.

Insider’s Tip: At last, Kennywood has installed estimated wait time signs on most of its major attractions. A new sign at the entrance to the Jack Rabbit queue will let you know how long you can expect to wait for your ride; if it’s more than a few minutes, switch to the other end of the park and come back later in the day, when most people have already ridden the iconic coasters and are settling in with some Potato Patch.

While You’re Here: Also new for 2024 is Jeeters’ Pub, an in-park bar featuring offerings from partner Penn Brewery. If you’re an of-age guest, take a pit stop between rides and games to enjoy a drink with lots of throwback charm. Word of advice, though: Don’t go straight from the bar to the Wave Swinger.