Summer doesn’t have to be the only time you get to careen down a water slide or float in a lazy river. Thanks to indoor water parks near New York City, families can have a splash-tastic getaway any time of the year. These spots—from the Catskills to the Poconos—are designed to accommodate families with kids of all ages (and aquatic abilities). So, what are you waiting for? Leave the suntan lotion at home and head to one of these indoor water parks.
Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark, Monticello, NY
Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark
Kartrite in the Catskills opened in April 2019 and it’s now the biggest indoor water park in New York (wow!). Families have access to more than 10 water slides, plus a lazy river, FlowRider, multi-level playground structure and cabana rentals at the two-acre space. On top of that, families can enjoy mini bowling, laser tag, a spa, restaurants and a sweets shop.
Distance from NYC: Approximately 90 minutes by car.
Pricing: It varies, but they offer a variety of packages and discounts.
Accommodations: You’ll find 324 all-suite rooms with items specifically for little guests—think play yards, blankets and tear-free shampoo.
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CoCo Key Water Resort, Mount Laurel, NJ
Where: 915 Route 73, Mount Laurel, NJ
This 55,000-square-foot facility features a lazy river, six body and raft rides, activity pool with water basketball, interactive play island, kiddie area, arcade, snacks and multiple dining options.
Distance from NYC: 1.5 to 2 hours by car.
Pricing: $19.99 for a full day pass or $64.99 for an annual pass (both online only). Ages two and under and over 65 are free.
Accommodations: Make it a mini-vacation by spending the night, which typically includes two-day water park access for up to four guests.
Sahara Sam’s Oasis, West Berlin, NJ
Sahara Sam’s Oasis
Where: 535 New Jersey 73, , NJ
New Jersey’s first free-standing indoor water park, Sahara Sam’s is 58,000-square-feet of aquatic fun. It features loads of water slides, a warming tub, obstacle courses, water basketball, Lizard Lagoon for toddlers and even a bar for the over 21 crowd. They’ve also recently added a head-first mat racing tube and an indoor leisure pool. If you go in the summer, you can also enjoy their outdoor water park! And don’t miss Diggerland, a construction-themed amusement park located just next door.
Distance from NYC: Approximately 1.5 to 2 hours by car. Alternatively, you can take a combination of trains and buses from the city; get more details here.
Pricing: Day pass tickets start at $29.99. Annual passes are available for $41.99 during Holiday Sale.
Accommodations: Sahara Sam’s doesn’t have an onsite hotel, but partners with local hotels to offer packages with the water park.
Aquatopia at Camelback, Tannersville, PA
Camelback
Where: 193 Resort Drive, Tannersville, PA
The 125,000-square-foot Poconos space features 13 water slides, seven pools (including a wave pool and multiple kids’ wading pools), a lazy river, a transparent roof allowing natural lighting (and sunbathing!) all year round, surfing and a swim-up bar. This water park is one of the newest additions to Camelback Resort, which also includes zip lining, bungee jumping, climbing walls, a ropes course, a roller coaster, Camelbeach (outdoor water park), and skiing and snow tubing in the winter.
Distance from NYC: Approximately 2 hours by car.
Pricing: Day passes are only available for the outdoor water park for $44 (seasonal); indoor water park is for hotel guests only, but season pass holders can grab day passes for an additional $29.99 per person up to four guests.
Accommodations: Camelback Lodge offers over 453 guest suites, and also has a 30,000-square-foot entertainment zone with laser tag, mini golf, indoor ropes course and more.
H20ooohh! Indoor Family Waterpark, Lake Harmony, PA
Split Rock Resort
Where: Split Rock Resort & Golf Club – 100 Moseywood Road, Lake Harmony, PA
From a water slide that has a four-story drop to hot tubs and a water zone just for the wee ones, this Poconos water park has something for everyone. Part of the Split Rock Resort, the water park is open to the general public as well as hotel and timeshare guests, who can also enjoy other activities such as bowling, golf and mini golf.
Distance from NYC: Approximately 2 hours by car.
Pricing: $38 for a day pass over 42″ ($33 under 42″), $25 for a twilight pass over 42” ($20 under 42”); children two and under are free. There are discounts for advanced purchase or when staying in their hotel or timeshare. Learn more here.
Accommodations: The resort has more than 500 rooms from singles to suites and lodges.
Six Flags Great Escape Lodge & Waterpark, Queensbury, NY
Where: 89 Six Flags Drive, Queensbury, NY
This 38,000-square-foot facility features a lazy river, water slides, a white water rafting simulation, adult-only hot tubs and simulated surfing and boogie boarding (for an extra fee). Just for the kids there’s a treehouse with more than 160 features including slides for various heights, as well as a kiddie pool with small water slides, baby swings and fountains.
Distance from NYC: Approximately 3.5 hours by car.
Pricing: Full day passes start at $39.99. Hotel guests and children two and under are free.
Accommodations: The water park is part of the Six Flags Great Escape Lodge, which includes complimentary access to the water park on day of arrival through departure.
Cascades Indoor Waterpark, Cortland, NY
Where: 2177 Clute Road, Cortland, NY
You’ll find a white water wave pool, multiple water slides, interactive play structure, shallow water kiddie zone, 500-gallon deluge bucket, hot tubs and a year-round heated outdoor swimming pool at this NY park.
Distance from NYC: Approximately 3.5 hours by car.
Pricing: $35 for a day pass over 42″, $28 under 42”; $15 for a spectator pass; children under two are free.
Accommodations: Cascades is part of Greek Peak Mountain Resort—many ski and splash packages are available, check prices and dates here.
Great Wolf Lodge, Scrotun, PA
Great Wolf Lodge
Where: 1 Great Wolf Drive, Scotrun, PA
This 79,000-square-foot indoor water park used to be reserved exclusively for hotel guests, but day passes are now available! Inside this Pocono getaway you’ll find body and tube water slides, an interactive tree house (with a gigantic tipping bucket), wave pool, water basketball, lazy river, agility course, kiddie pool and baby water slide. There’s even hot tubs for families (as well as one for adults only!). Great Wolf also offers tons of additional activities to waterpark guests including their famous storytime, MagiQuest and character building stations.
Distance from NYC: Approximately 1.5 hours by car.
Pricing: Full day and half day passes are now available. Price varies by day of the week.
Accommodations: Hotel room rates start around $200 per night with fun, cabin-style family-themed suites (their biggest suite can sleeping up to eight!), plus every night includes two days of play. Check rates and dates here.
Rocking Horse Ranch, Highland, NY
Rocking Horse Ranch
Where: 600 State Route 44/55, Highland, NY
Only accessible by guests of the all-inclusive Rocking Horse Ranch, this indoor water park features water slides, dumping buckets, and an obstacle course. The Ranch offers tons of other activities from horseback riding to a Fun Barn with a bounce house, entertainment, storytimes, and in winter only, snow tubing, skiing and skating.
Distance from NYC: Approximately 1.5 hours by car.
Pricing: Day passes are not available; only guests staying at the resort have access to the water park.
Accommodations: Winter rates at this all-inclusive resort start at around $339 per night (ages two and under are free).
Kalahari Resorts and Conventions, Pocono Manor, PA
Kalahari
Where: 250 Kalahari Blvd, Pocono Manor, PA
This state-of-the-art water park recently doubled in size making it a whopping 220,000-square-feet (and the largest water park in America!). Among the maze of twisting tubes and rushing water you’ll find a trap-door vertical plunge that can send you 25mph, two separate kiddie splash parks, a funnel and free fall water slide, wave pool, lazy river, tons of cabanas and even daily activities for the kids (did someone say free cookie decorating?).
Distance from NYC: Approximately 1.5 hours by car.
Pricing: Day passes start at $69 and vary by day.
Accommodations: Rooms vary from basic desert rooms to a penthouse suite. All rooms include free admission to all water park attractions through your stay.
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