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These indoor water parks and resorts feature similar amenities, such as changing areas, lockers, restaurants, multiple water slides, and pool activities. Most also include a relaxing lazy river and play structures for younger children, with water sprays, giant tilting water buckets, and mini-slides.

Read on for more details about each indoor water park.

Day Pass Indoor Water Parks near NYC

1. The Kartrite – Monticello, New York

About 1 hour, 45 minutes from Midtown Manhattan
The Kartrite indoor water park, located in the Catskills, is home to 80,000 square feet of rides, slides, and pools. The entire space is covered by the world’s largest Texlon transparent roof, ensuring it stays at an optimal 84 degrees. Thrill-seekers love the Nor'Easter slide and a Flowrider surf simulator. Parents appreciate the private cabanas, tanning roof, and nearby spa. You can grab day passes online or opt to book a room.

RELATED: 18 Cool Hotel Pools in New York for Family Vacations

Splash around in the tropical waters at Aquatopia at Camelback Resort.

2. Aquatopia at Camelback Resort – Tannersville, Pennsylvania

About 1 hour, 45 minutes from Midtown Manhattan
This huge indoor water park at Cameback Resort has 170,000-square-feet of play space. The park features multiple pools and 13 slides. If you've got little kids, the Penguin Play Bay is perfect for toddlers. Traveling with a daring teen or tween? Try the Bombora FlowRider surf simulator. If you get overheated, you can always head outside to Camelback Mountain, one of our favorite family-friendly ski resorts.

3. Island Waterpark at the Showboat – Atlantic City, New Jersey

About 2 hours, 15 minutes from Midtown Manhattan
Experience sun and fun on the Jersey Shore all year round thanks to the addition of the Island Waterpark at the Showboat. There are 11 waterslides, four restaurants, and an indoor boardwalk with a jumbo arcade at this expansive indoor water park which opened last summer. A variety of day passes are available, including an adults-only version if you want to make a date of a visit here. Of course, you can always book an overnight at the hotel, too. 

RELATED: Camelback Resort: A Year-Round Poconos Getaway for Families

DreamWorks Water Park isn't just the largest water park in America, it's also the closest one to NYC! Photo by Gina Massaro

4. DreamWorks Water Park – Meadowlands, New Jersey

About 25 minutes from Midtown Manhattan
This long-awaited DreamWorks Water Park is not only the closest on our list, but it's also (reportedly) the largest in North America, covering more than 370,000 square feet of space at the mega American Dream entertainment complex. The glass atrium-enclosed attraction offers views of the Manhattan skyline, a 1.5-acre wave pool, and a pair of play structures, including the Kung Fu Panda Temple of Awesomeness. Find family-friendly picks among the 40 slides, plus plenty of options for thrill-seekers, too. The Thrillagascar and Jungle Jammer is sure to get your heart pumping with its 142-foot free-fall slide. On-site cabanas, designed by Jonathan Adler, can be rented.

RELATED: Best Water Parks for Toddlers near NYC

It's summer all the time at the tropical-themed indoor water park at Split Rock Resort.

5. H20ooohh! at Split Rock Resort – Lake Harmony, Pennsylvania

About 2 hours from Midtown Manhattan by car
Kids enjoy splashing around in the wave and activity pools, the jungle play area, and more at Split Rock Resort. There's also a huge wave pool and four-story-high slides for adventurous visitors. If you need a longer getaway, there's plenty of family-friendly entertainment to experience, and there are overnight packages as well.

RELATED: 14 Inexpensive Winter Weekend Getaways near NYC

The Splashdown Safari at Kalahari Resorts indoor water park features a zero-entry pool and large climbing structures.

6. Kalahari Resorts – Pocono Manor, Pennsylvania

Just under 2 hours from Midtown Manhattan
The safari-themed Kalahari Resort indoor water park is a whopping 220,000 square feet. There's an 11,000-square-foot wave pool and thrilling rides and slides such as the Anaconda and the Cheetah Race Mat Slide. Young kids enjoy Coral Cove, a sea-animal-themed play area. A surf simulator allows you to catch a wave in any weather, and the lazy river features a swim-up bar for adults. A big bonus here: If you visit during warmer weather, the entire water park is housed under a retractable roof so you can frolic in the sun. There's also an arcade on-site, an outdoor adventure course (seasonal), and multiple restaurants to keep kids busy if they're too waterlogged. If you're going just for the day, be sure to pack towels, or you'll have to buy them on-site for $20; owels are included if you're staying overnight.

7. Sahara Sam's Water Park – West Berlin, New Jersey

About 2 hours from Midtown Manhattan by car
This New Jersey indoor water park, which is currently only open all day Saturdays and Sundays, plus select school holidays, includes Tiki Tides and a Raging River. The desert oasis-themed park also features several more slides, an aqua arena, and a Komodo Crossing. Young kids love the Little Lizard Landing, a special area just for them. The park also offers water basketball and an arcade area. If you visit in spring or summer, you can also enjoy the outdoor water park, or hit the seasonal construction-themed amusement park Diggerland USA right next door.

RELATED: 25 Winter Day Trips near NYC

Great Wolf Lodge's slides thrill all ages.

8. Great Wolf Lodge – Scotrun, Pennsylvania

About 90 minutes from Midtown Manhattan by car
The folks behind Great Wolf Lodge know what they're doing when it comes to family-friendly fun, catering to folks of all ages. At this Poconos hot spot (literally, it's 84 degrees inside), you'll find a giant four-story indoor water park with slides, a lazy river, an activity pool, and more. We've visited several times and have tips to ensure you have fun and stay sane during your trip.

RELATED: Legoland New York Brings Mega Theme Park Fun to the Hudson Valley

The ultra-family-friendly Rocking Horse Ranch offers an indoor water park as part of its all-inclusive fun.

Resort Water Parks for a Family-Friendly Visit

If your family is up for a multi-day trip, consider one of these resorts, which require hotel stays to use their water parks.

9. Rocking Horse Ranch – Highland, New York

About 1 hour, 45 minutes from Midtown Manhattan; also accessible via Metro-North train to Poughkeepsie
The indoor water park is just one of the attractions at this all-inclusive Hudson Valley resort. Here, you'll find the 250-foot-long Gold Rush Flume water slide, a challenging water walk for kids to test their balance, and Fort Geyser Aqua Station, an interactive play area with small slides and geysers perfect for the youngest visitors. The resort offers loads of family activities, too.

RELATED: Family-Friendly Hotels for a New York Staycation

Woodloch Resort's indoor water park isn't huge, but it offers big-time fun.

10. Woodloch Resort – Hawley, Pennsylvania

About 2 hours, 15 minutes from Midtown Manhattan
The indoor water park at this Poconos resort might not be as hulking as its nearby competition, but there's a Splash Zone with slides for big kids and adults, as well as a little-kid-friendly splash pad, a pair of hot tubs, a kiddie pool, and a big, beautiful indoor pool. In addition, there are a host of other activities to enjoy, both indoors and out. Parents can hop over to the sister resort's spa, The Lodge at Woodloch, located just down the road, for a little kid-free, solo R&R, too.

Longer-Distance Overnight Water Parks

If you're up for a longer drive, try Six Flags Great Escape Lodge & Indoor Water Park in Queensbury, New York, and the Greek Peak Mountain Resort in Cortland, New York, which are both a little more than three hours away from Midtown Manhattan by car. Both have day passes available if you are staying elsewhere.

Tips for Visiting Indoor Water Parks with Kids

Indoor water parks near NYC are fantastic winter escapes, but a little planning can make the day run smoother.

• What to pack: bring swimsuits for everyone, towels, waterproof sandals or water shoes, goggles, and at least one dry change of clothes per child. Don’t forget swim diapers for toddlers, hair ties, and waterproof bags for wet gear.
• How to save money: look for online discounts, weekday specials, and package deals; bring your own snacks and reusable water bottles when allowed; and consider resort bundles that include meals or activity credits.
• Best times to go: weekdays—especially weekday mornings—are typically less crowded than weekends. If visiting on a weekend or school holiday, arrive right at opening.
• Safety tips: review height and age requirements before lining up for slides, keep non-swimmers in approved flotation devices, set a family meeting spot, and take regular breaks to prevent fatigue or chills.

FAQs for Visiting Indoor Water Parks with Kids

Which indoor water parks near NYC are good for toddlers?
Indoor water parks with shallow pools, splash pads, and gentle slides are best for toddlers. Many NYC-area indoor water parks include dedicated toddler zones designed for younger children, making them safer and more enjoyable for first-time swimmers.

Are there day-pass only indoor water parks near NYC (no hotel required)?
Yes. Several indoor water parks near NYC offer day passes without requiring an overnight stay. Others are resort-based and combine water park access with hotel packages. Day-pass options are ideal for families looking for a quick winter outing, while resort stays work well for longer getaways.

What should I bring for a day trip to an indoor water park in winter?
Pack swimsuits, towels, water shoes, goggles, shampoo or body wash for post-swim showers, a dry change of clothes, and reusable bags for wet items. Snacks, refillable water bottles, and swim diapers for toddlers are also essential.

Is it better to go on a weekday or a weekend?
Weekdays are usually quieter, with shorter lines, more seating, and calmer pools, which can be especially helpful for families with younger kids. Weekends and school breaks tend to be busier, but arriving early and taking breaks during peak midday hours can help avoid the biggest crowds.

Originally published in April 2010. Unless noted, photos are courtesy of the respective water parks

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