6 days ago
12 Bucket-List Waterpark Resorts Every Family Should Visit in the U.S.
No matter your family's speed, these parks provide the ultimate aquatic enjoyment.
One of my fondest childhood memories is spending Florida summers at the waterparks. Whether it's the serenity of floating down a lazy river, the adrenaline rush of torpedoing down a water slide, or the communal joy of a wave pool, waterparks continue to be a family staple during the summer months because they offer something for everyone.
While some of the most well-known waterparks are attached to the larger theme parks, there are plenty others across the country that deserve not only your attention, but your vacation time.
Here are 12 waterpark resorts you should add to your list.
Okana Resort & Indoor Waterpark
Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Great for: Luxury and fun
Okana Resort & Indoor Waterpark beautifully combines the waterpark and beach resort experiences. From an indoor park geared toward high-energy fun, to outdoor resort-style amenities designed for luxury and relaxation, this one has it all.
Stand-outs include Okana Beach, The Spa at Okana, and the arcade at Okanarama! And for families who love a little culture while on vacation, Okana Resort & Waterpark is near the First Americans Museum.
Aquatica
Location: Orlando, Florida and San Antonio, Texas
Great for: Teens and young adults
Aquatica was recently voted the #1 water park by USA Today–and one could assume a lot of its appeal has to do with how it caters to the young folks.
For the littles, there's 'Walkabout Waters,' which is specifically designed for smaller children, and 'The Ultimate Playdate', where select Mondays throughout the summer are reserved for younger kids. For tween and teen thrill-seekers, Aquatica offers water rides like 'Reef Plunge', 'Tassie's Underwater Twist', and 'Riptide Dance." For others who want to kick back and just chill, there are relaxing water experiences like 'Loggerhead Lane' Lazy River and the wave pool.
For young adults, there's also an after-hours water party, AquaGlow, from 8 pm to 11 pm, where guests can enjoy as the park is lit up with neon lights.
Camelback Resort
Location: The Poconos Mountains, Pennsylvania
Great for: Families who like to choose their own adventure
While the Camelback Resort is highly popular for winter sports, its waterpark resort is top-notch for adventurous families. Offering both an indoor (Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark) and (Outdoor Camelbeach Waterpark) park option, you shouldn't need to worry about space or weather.
Guests can choose from a 'Flowrider Session' and surf like a pro, get splashed in a splash zone, or sleep in a cabana. And if you want to skip the water rides but still have fun, there's also 'Mountain Adventures' available with over 13 rides and activities for a wide age range.
The Boardwalk at Hersheypark
Location: Hershey, Pennsylvania
Great for: Families with tweens who love chocolate
The Boardwalk Waterpark at Hersheypark has 16 water attractions. From thrilling water slides like the 'Whitecap Racer'–one of the longest mat slides in the world, to jumping waves in 'The Shore'–a massive wave pool, this park is full of fun tradition.
Waterpark access is included with admission to the theme park, so it's an economical option. Parents will also be pleased to know there are fun-filled water spaces set aside for the little ones, such as 'Shoreline Playground' and Sand Castle Cove.
At the nearby Hershey Story Museum, kids can learn about the history of chocolate and how to make it. You can also see animals at the ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park.
Discovery Cove
Location: Orlando, Florida
Great for: Independent explorers who love marine life
Discovery Cove offers a truly unique waterpark experience that aquatic life enthusiasts will adore. Guests can purchase day passes to swim with dolphins, feed stingrays, and interact with otters and marmosets. Or, for an even closer look at aquatic life, there's SeaVenture, an underwater walking tour that takes place at The Grand Reef. Though these experiences are for "confident swimmers" ages 10 and up.
Due to the immersive nature of most of the activities, parents and guardians will have to sign a waiver on behalf of their kids. While Discovery Cove is best for attendees who can roam freely about the park, there is Animal Trek, Flamingo Mingle, and the Dolphin Swim, which are for ages 6 and up.
Raging Waves
Location: Yorkville, Illinois
Great for: Big family groups
As the largest waterpark in Illinois, Raging Waves boasts a variety of unique, family-friendly attractions for different age groups. The Kangaroo Falls play area is filled with kid-friendly slides and other shallow water play. For older kids who love a good adrenaline rush, there are rides like 'The Cyclone', 'The Wonambi', and the 'Aussie Mat Dash' that offer fun drops and many unsuspecting twists.
Adults can relax on the lazy river or in a large wave pool. And there are lots of shaded seating areas for napping littles and breastfeeding families. In addition to great food options, this park offers free parking and you can bring your own unopened water bottles into the park.
Sealife Park Hawaii
Location: Oahu, Hawaii
Great for: Intimate, hands-on experiences with grandparents
Dubbed a 'marine wonderland', Sealife Hawaii is great for all ages, but especially young kids and grandparents. It boasts a small and intimate setting, which is a great change of pace for families wanting to avoid beach crowds. And if you love marine life, the hands-on experiences are a big plus.
While the younger kids will enjoy seeing penguins, and sea lions up close, older kids can enjoy swimming with dolphins and feeding sea turtles. There's lots of fun cultural entertainment too, like coconut weaving, fishnet throwing, hula lessons, dinner hulas, and so much more.
Wet'n Wild Emerald Pointe Waterpark
Location: Greensboro, North Carolina
Great for: Teen group visits without parents
Make your way through dozens of rides with your family or a group of your friends at Wet'N Wild Emerald Point Waterpark. There are several themed areas, such as 'Happy Harbor,' and breathtaking slides like 'Bermuda Triangle', 'The Edge', and 'Riptide'.
While you're there, make sure you check out "Daredevil Drop," a near-vertical free-fall slide. Teens 13 and older can be dropped off–so they can get a group together and make memories for the day.
Raging Waters Los Angeles
Location: San Dimas, California
Great for: The epic waterpark experience
Your family can easily fill a full day at the iconic Raging Waters Waterpark in Southern California. With over 50 attractions across 60 acres of land, there is something for all ages.
The 'Little Dipper' is a smaller version of a conventional water slide, perfect for children who are new to sliding. 'Volcano Fantasea' is a themed area with small slides and water play features that are also great for young ones. And you definitely have to try the only hydromagnetic water coaster in California, "Aqua Rocket"–15 stories of adrenaline.
Blizzard Beach Water Park
Location: Lake Buena Vista, Florida
Great for: Themed experiences and Disney lovers
Geared toward younger kids who love engaging with Disney's trademark world building, Blizzard Beach brings snow to summertime. It's adorned as a melting ski resort, featuring cool slides, a lazy river, and a wave pool. Visit "Summit Plummet," the fastest and tallest free-fall slides.
If you prefer a theme more aligned with summer, check out the neighboring Typhoon Lagoon, which has a tropical storm atmosphere. The "Crush 'n' Gusher" water coaster gives the appearance of a tropical fruit-packing plant run amok.
Water Country Park
Location: Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Great for: Thrill-seeking families
Water Country Park is the largest water park in New England, with some large thrills to go with it. "Thunder Falls,' one of the park's largest attractions, is a high-speed raft ride with unexpected drops that is sure to make your heart rate spike.
There's also an entire area designed for the younger thrill-seekers, who aren't quite ready for that speed. This park is perfect for families with multiple kids in different age brackets.
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor
Location: Valencia, California
Great for: A waterslides and roller coasters double feature
Fresh off of its 30th anniversary, Hurricane Harbor underwent a massive renovation, which made the most ascetically-pleasing waterpark in the state even prettier. With its SoCal location and proximity to Six Flags Magic Mountain, it's a popular destination for locals and visitors seeking a full day of action for families.
With the exception of having to wait in long lines for the more popular rides, families should enjoy the diverse selection of experiences. The "Tornado' and 'Wahoo Racer' waterslides should appeal to older kids, and 'Splashwater Island' should please the littles. A family favorite is 'Hurricane Bay,' the massive 7,000-foot wave pool.
Safety and Other Waterpark Tips
Brian Szydlosk, manager of the Okana Resort & Indoor Waterpark, spoke to the importance of water safety as families plan to attend waterparks this summer.
'Whether it's a backyard pool, a lake, a beach, a waterpark, a responsible adult should always keep an eye on the water," says Szydlosk. "Drowning can happen silently and in seconds, even with strong swimmers.'
He further stresses that no one should swim alone, no matter their age; and the posted rules at pools/waterparks should always be followed.
"Respecting the water means understanding it first. And [always remember], pool toys like floaties or noodles are not safety devices.'
Parents should also remember to have a game plan for navigating the waterparks. This will help you maximize the time and also help prevent meltdowns.
Be sure to pack the following:
Sunscreen and hats. Especially for the little ones! I love the Greensprouts collection for toddlers, and the Coolibar collection for teens.
Water diapers. Most water parks require them. My new favorite brand for my toddler is HealthyBaby swim brand, because it has adjustable buttons for all sizes, and dries very quickly.
Dry snacks. First, check with the waterpark's website to see if outside food is allowed. My new favorite when attending parks is the Amara Snack Brand, because they minimize mess.
Secure and age-appropriate swimwear. You'd be surprised what can be lost on a water slide. Check height, weight, and wardrobe requirements for each ride in advance to avoid accidents.
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