Indoor Waterparks Keep Summer Alive

While there’s no need to “cool off” per se when the temperatures dip, it’s still cool to enjoy the thrill of the plunge at a waterpark. Here are some options to plan a weekend for an indoor splish-splash.

Schlitterbahn Indoor Waterpark, Galveston, Texas

Everything is bigger in Texas, including the waterparks! Schlitterbahn is home to the Boogie Bahn surf ride, four tubing slides, three speed slides, two separate kids areas, a heated pool, a swim-up bar for adults and a 100-foot-tall zip line. This one’s a must-do for every water park aficionado — it’s been awarded the Golden Ticket for World’s Best Indoor Waterpark for the last eight years.

Kahuna Laguna, North Conway, N.H.

Nestled in the heart of the White Mountains, Kahuna Laguna features four high-speed tubes that splash into a central landing pool. There’s also a wave pool for body surfing, water basketball, water cannons and a 175-gallon tipping bucket at Bamboo Bay. Keeko’s Treehouse is appropriate for those still in swimmies and diapers.

Great Wolf Lodge

With more than a dozen locations nationwide including the Pocono Mountains and LaGrange, Ga., there’s likely a Great Wolf location just right for your family as the mercury plummets in fall. Each features Fort Mackenzie, a water tree fort appropriate for children, toddlers and teens alike, with water toys and totem tower body slides.

Avalanche Bay, Boyne City, Mich.

The Bavarian theme doesn’t exactly scream a balmy 84 degrees, but that’s how it stays here year-round. Don’t miss the Splasherhorn water roller coaster, the surfing simulator, a tube slide and 900-foot lazy river. Hot tubs for the adults, video arcades for the tweens and a separate toddler area mean everyone’s happy.

Photo: Zurijeta | Dreamstime

Coco Key, Danvers, Mass.

New England’s largest indoor waterpark nestled in the suburb of Danvers makes for a good weekend jaunt. Featuring more than 65,000 square feet of splishing and splashing, there are lots of different themed areas for all different age groups. Parrot’s Perch is an interactive jungle gym with slides and water cannons. Coconut Grove Adventure River winds around Parrot’s Perch. The Dip-In Theater has a large sail screen. Visit Shark Slam and the other four waterslides for the ultimate rush. And the Palm Grotto is for guests ages 16 and older—especially for parents to take a break in the hot tub and whirlpools.

Kalahari, Sandusky, Ohio

Kalahari brings Africa to Ohio, with the children’s Wild Kingdom area with net crawls, water guns and low-key waterslides. There’s also Flowrider, a surf simulator with waves up to 5 feet tall. The Zip Coaster features precocious plunge drops, but there’s plenty of opportunity to chill at private cabanas. Live it up like it’s Vegas with private attendants, fresh towels, couches, refrigerators and iPod docking stations.