Indoor Water Parks Near NYC

[UPDATED: DECEMBER 27, 2012]

Longing for a taste of summer fun? You don't have to hop on a plane to take your family someplace warm and tropical in the dead of winter. Just jump in the car and head to one of these indoor water parks, all approximately a two-hour drive (or less) from midtown Manhattan. A visit to an indoor water park is a great way to give your kids a beach-like getaway during any season. Most of them are a hot and humid 85 degrees year-round. So pull out that bathing suit you haven't seen since last summer...but leave the sunscreen at home.

Overall, these water resorts feature similar amenities such as changing areas, lockers, restaurants, and many water slides and pool activities. Most also include a relaxing lazy river, a surfboard simulator and a big play structure for younger ones, with water sprays, giant tilting water buckets and mini-slides. Read on for more details about each location.

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 Memorial Day through Labor Day, it's open all day every day. Check the website for the complete schedule.
Admission: $32.95, kids 2 and under free. Check the website for promotional packages and discounts, including special family packages.

Sahara Sam’s is NJ's largest indoor water park, boasting 58,000 square feet of fun. Attractions include a body slide, family raft ride, lazy river and tree fort. 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; low season: $34, children under 42 inches $29. Check the website for promotional packages and discounts.
 
Kids will enjoy splashing around in the Jungle Falls and Leapin' Lizards play areas, while adults can relax in the Lava Springs hot tubs. There's also a huge wave pool and four-story high slides for the adventurous in your group. If you're planning to stay overnight at Split Rock, packages that include water park passes can be purchased.

CoCo Key Water Resort
The Hotel ML, 915 Route 73, Mount Laurel, NJ  
Open: Hours vary. Check the website for a complete schedule.
Admission: $27.99 on weekdays, $32.99 on weekends and holidays, children under 2 are free.

CoCo Key Water Resort
3580 East Main Street, Waterbury, CT
Open: Hours vary. Check the website for a complete schedule.
Admission: $19 on weekdays, $29 on weekends and holidays, children under 2 are free.

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. CoCo Key is more low-key than its competitors. There aren't any super-high slides or surf simulators, but there are some cool body slides and activity pools, as well as kiddie areas and arcades.

Another option is 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 their location in the Pocono Mountains.

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

For additional day trip ideas, check out the Mommy Poppins Day Trips and Weekend Getaways Guide.