With temperatures climbing, we’re helping you cool off with five great water parks from all across the country. These parks are more than just water slides—they’ve got lazy rivers, wave pools, adrenaline-packed racing slides and much more. Make a weekend of it by spending the night and exploring other local attractions!
LEGOLAND Water Park
Carlsbad, California
Play: LEGOLAND Water Park is one of the coolest experiences and a must-see for young builders! There are Lego-themed rides, slides, and splash pads. For smaller swimmers there’s the Duplo Splash Safari. Kids can even customize their rafts for the lazy river with soft Lego bricks. At the Pirate Reef they can choose a ship and duel it out with water guns. Don’t miss Build-A-Boat where you design your own LEGO ship and set it sailing around already built scenes and buildings. When it’s time to dry off you can visit adjacent LEGOLAND as well.
Stay: For the ultimate LEGO experience, stay in the exciting LEGOLAND Hotel. You have your choice of themes rooms- Pirate, Kingdom, Adventure, LEGO NINJAGO or LEGO Friends.
Noah’s Ark Water Park
Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Play: Located in Wisconsin Dells, the “Water Park Capital of the World,” the 70-acre Noah’s Ark Waterpark is home to more than 50 attractions. Take a ride on the Flash Flood flume ride or try out the 4D dive-in theater. Choose from two Endless Rivers, four children’s water play areas, bumper boats, and two giant Wave Pools. This park’s latest thrill is the side-by-side tube racer, Raja, which sends riders speeding around 335 feet of track before they plunge 37 feet into the mouth of a king cobra.
Stay: The area has many hotel options for all budgets. For the closest proximity to Noah’s Ark, try the Flamingo Motel & Suites.
Silver Dollar City’s White Water
Branson, Missouri
Play: The largest water park in the area, Silver Dollar City’s White Water features 2 million gallons of fun and 13 acres of water rides, slides and pools. This park features rides like KaPau Plummet, a dual-slide option that begins with a plunge through a drop floor, and the four-lane Kalani Towers Mat Racer. Drift in a tube in the Aloha River or splash around in the 20,000-square-foot Coconut Grove water playground. Silver Dollar City is an amusement park right next door and you can purchase combo tickets to enjoy both attractions.
Stay: To be close to the action, book a premium cabin at the nearby Silver Dollar City Campground & Cabins. They sleep up to 6 and have a full kitchen.
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor
Jackson, New Jersey
Soak up the sun at one of America’s best water parks – Six Flags Hurricane Harbor! This massive tropics-themed water park sits about 55 miles northeast of Philadelphia. It features more than 25 thrill slides, including the multilane Big Wave Racer and Tornado, which boasts a 60-foot-wide funnel. Additionally, visitors will find a 1 million-gallon wave pool, one of the world’s longest lazy rivers, and the family-friendly Caribbean Cove water playground with over 50 interactive water features.
Stay: The park partners with several local hotels for stay and play packages. The Radisson Hotel Freehold is just 15 minutes away and has an outdoor pool.
Universal’s Volcano Bay
Orlando, Florida
Play: Opened in May 2017, Universal’s Volcano Bay is centered around a 200-foot tall volcano. Thrill-seekers can choose from several water slides as well as the four-person Krakatau Aqua Coaster that flows through the volcano. Meanwhile, those looking for leisure can float on the Kopiko Wai Winding River or Waturi Beach wave pool. Smaller children will enjoy the Tot Tiki Reef to splash around in the water fountains and the kid-sized volcano. Admission includes a waterproof TapuTapu wristband that guests can use to book rides, report wait times, pay for meals and open lockers.
Stay: Universal Orlando has several options for onsite lodging. We like the Cabana Bay Beach Resort for its proximity to the water park and family-friendly atmosphere.
