Rides are structures which support and include seats, cabins, platforms, or harnesses for guiding people along a fixed route within a limited space. In general, rides are constructed as some form of loop or path in which the positions return to the same starting point on a regular basis. The purpose of amusement rides may be to provide any combination of motion thrills, psychological thrills, panoramic or guided viewing enjoyment, or any other sort of amusement.

Only permanently installed rides are listed as amusement rides; portable carnival rides are not indexed. Not included in this category are rides whose primary purpose is transportation, such as ski lifts and aerial trams. Also not included are bumper cars or any site where rides are offered in autonomous vehicles that determine their own routes.

The structure constrains the riders to a set course within its operating space. Independent vehicles choosing their own paths and systems intended primarily for transportation have the separate exclusions stated above.