Indoor Water Parks Near NYC

Memorial Day weekend—the unofficial start of summer when all the local beaches open—is still a month away. But you don't have to get on a plane to take your family someplace warm, tropical and wet right away. Just hop in the car and visit one of four nearby indoor water parks, all approximately a two-hour drive (or less) from midtown Manhattan.

Last year on a less-than-perfect day weather-wise, my son, a couple of friends and I headed to New Jersey for our first experience enjoying water slides at an indoor water park, and it was seriously fun. In fact, my son still refers to it as the best day of his life!

So pull out that bathing suit you haven’t seen since summer, and pack a towel (but leave the sunscreen at home). It's time for a day trip to a water park.

A visit to an indoor water park is a great way to give your kids a taste of summer fun during any season. Most of them are a hot and humid 85 degrees year-round.

Overall, these water resorts feature similar amenities like changing areas, lockers, restaurants, and one of those enormous, dark, curvy (and scary) water slides, in which you quickly drop multiple stories in a huge tube. Most also have a relaxing float down a lazy river, a surfboard simulator and a big play structure for younger ones, with water sprays, giant tilting water buckets and mini-slides.

Sahara Sam's Oasis
535 North Route 73, West Berlin, NJ
Open: During the school year, it's open on select weekday afternoons and evenings, and all day on weekends. During breaks and from May 30-September 5, it's open all day every day. Check the website for the complete schedule.
Admission: $31.95, kids under age 2 free. Check the website for promotional packages and discounts, including weekday pricing from $9.95 and up.

Sahara Sam’s has a retractable roof so it's always sunny inside. Toddlers will love Lizard Lagoon, a special area just for them. The park also offers water basketball and an arcade area. See the full review from our visit.

H20ooohh! Indoor Family Waterpark
Split Rock Resort, 100 Moseywood Road, Lake Harmony, PA
Open: Hours vary. Check the website for a complete schedule.
Admission: High season: $39, children under 42 inches $34; off season: $34, children under 42 inches $29. Check the website for promotional packages and discounts.
 
Kids will go gaga for Hurricane Cove, a huge wave pool with three- and four-foot waves, while adults can relax in the hot tubs.

CoCoKey Water Resort
Mt. Laurel Marriott, 915 Route 73, Mount Laurel, NJ  
Open: Hours vary. Check the website for a complete schedule.
Admission: $25 on weekdays, $33 on weekends and holidays, children under 2 are free.

CoCoKey Water Resort
3580 East Main Street, Waterbury, CT
Open: Hours vary. Check the website for a complete schedule.
Admission: $19 on weekdays with occasional $10 deals, $29 on weekends and holidays.

Even though both of these popular water parks are located inside hotels, you don't need to be a guest to buy day passes. Purchase them online in advance to guarantee admission.

CoCoKey is more low-key than its competitors. There aren't any super-high, dark and scary slides, or surf simulators, but there are some cool body slides and covered tube tunnels, plus a Dip in Theater, where you can watch a movie while you swim.

There is also The Great Wolf Lodge, a chain of resorts, but you need to be a hotel guest in order to enjoy the indoor water parks. See our review of the location in the Poconos.

And if you're up for a weekend trip, there are other water parks further away. The Six Flags Great Escape Lodge & Indoor Waterpark in Queensbury, New York and the Greek Peak Mountain Resort in Cortland, New York are both about four hours away by car.

For addition day trip ideas, check out the Mommy Poppins Travel Guide.