You don’t have to wait for 80 degree temps and bluer skies to get back in the water! While you may be planning a ski getaway this winter or gearing up for some epic sledding days, you should also make time to warm up at these indoor water parks that are all driving distance from Philly. Whether you just want to escape for the day, or get away for the whole weekend, we found the best close-to-Philly parks that your whole family will love.
Where: 915 Route 73, Mount Laurel, NJ
Where: Mt Laurel, NJ
Why you should visit: 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. Make it a mini-vacation by spending the night, which includes two-day water park access for up to four guests.
Distance: 35 minutes
Where: 535 New Jersey 73, , NJ
Where: West Berlin, NJ
Why you should visit: 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 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 two-acre outdoor water park! And don’t miss Diggerland, a construction-themed amusement park located just next door.
Distance: 35 minutes
H20ooohh! Indoor Family Waterpark
Where: Split Rock Resort & Golf Club – 100 Moseywood Road, Lake Harmony, PA
Where: Lake Harmony, PA
Why you should visit: 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: 1.5 hours
Where: 193 Resort Drive, Tannersville, PA
Where: Tannersville, PA
Why you should visit: 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: 2 hours
Where: 1 Great Wolf Drive, Scotrun, PA
Where: Scotrun, PA
Why you should visit: 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: 2 hours
Kalahari Resorts and Conventions
Where: 250 Kalahari Blvd, Pocono Manor, PA
Where: Pocono Manor, PA
Why you should visit: 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: 2 hours
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