Stay cool this summer with our list of the best indoor and outdoor water parks in and around New York City, and also take a break from the crowded streets.
Water parks are an absolute blast if you want to take the fun to a whole new level. If you have never been to a water park, then I cannot say enough times that you should visit one as soon as possible. On the other hand, if you are used to going to water parks, then I am sure you definitely have not been to all the parks that we are going to talk about today. New York City is massive and there are a lot of indoor and outdoor water parks dotted across and around the city. You may have been to a few, but the thing about water parks is that each one is quite different, the theme is the same, but the experience is pretty much always going to be different. Yes, there will be water, a lot of water, but the rides and the splashes will vary greatly.
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If you are an avid swimmer, then you can skip this section because we are going to talk to someone who is not a good swimmer per say. Now, the companies that run these water parks go to crazy lengths to prevent any kind of mishaps. Which is a good thing for everyone involved. So, even if you do not know how to swim, you can still have a lot of fun at water parks. Of course, you will not get access to all the places that you can explore at a water park, but that is for your own safety. So, do not let the fact that you can’t swim stop you from taking a trip to these water parks. I mean, you go to theme parks don’t you? Water parks tend to be much safer than theme parks with crazy roller coaster rides — just check out this article on the Worst Six Flags Accidents Including A Death In 2013 and you will understand.
There is nothing better to douse the summer heat than a cool dip in the pool. If you want to dip in style, then you ought to do it in a water park. As you already know, there are basically two types of water parks, indoors and outdoors. Well, naturally the outdoor parks are much bigger and spread out than the indoor ones, however, a bigger size does not always mean that they are better in terms of experience than the indoor parks. The thing is, there are no fully outdoor water parks within New York City, however we have listed a few that are located around The Big Apple. If you are determined to visit an outdoor water park, you will barely have to take a drive for a couple of ours to each of them. If you prefer indoor water parks, then you can stay somewhat within the city limits and enjoy those.
To come up with our list of best indoor and outdoor water parks in and around New York City, we consulted the rich database of Class Curious, which is a great source of information for everything related to New York City. I also did some digging on the internet via a Google Search. That only gave me raw data which helped to determine what goes on this list. One more thing I would like to add to this is that all the water parks mentioned here have not been ranked in any way. Each and every one of these parks offers different experiences, and they are all worth a visit at least once.
Grab your goggles and swimsuit, and let’s take a dive in our list of the best indoor and outdoor water parks in and around New York City.
15. Splish Splash Water Park
Address: 2549 Splish Splash Dr, Calverton, NY 11933
Splish Splash is considered to be one of the best water parks in the country by many families. To begin with, Splish Splash has over 96 acres of land dotted with attractions for its visitors to explore. When it comes to rides, Splish Splash does not fall short either, as there are over 30 rides for you to experience. Splish Splash has been ranked as the country’s third largest water park by The Travel Channel.
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14. Tomahawk Lake Water Park
Address: 155 Tomahawk Trail, Sparta Township, NJ 07871
Just a couple of hours drive from Midtown Manhattan, this water park is a paradise for those seeking a bit of splash in their life. The park spans over an astonishing 200 acres of land. The major attraction includes an array of slides and a water play area. Also, you have the option to rent boats and cruise through the lake for a more soothing and serene experience. All in all, it’s an awesome location for a family summer holiday.
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13. Great Wolf Lodge Water Park
Address: 1 Great Wolf Dr, Scotrun, PA 18355
Great Wolf Lodge is an amazing indoor water park, where the whole family can have lots and lots of fun. It is quite fascinating how they can offer the full water park experience in a fully enclosed environment. Since the place is fully enclosed, you can go there and have a lot of fun even in bad weather. The primary attractions include, water slides, kiddie pools, gaming zones and of course themed hotel rooms.
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12. Six Flags Hurricane Harbor
Address: 89 Six Flags Drive Queensbury, NY
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, the next one on the list of best indoor and outdoor water parks in and around New York City is a multi-facility water park, meaning that if you choose to visit Hurricane Harbor, not only you will have access to their water park area, but you will also be able to visit the other facilities installed there as well. By area, the park is not that massive, but when it comes to rides and attractions, you are going to have a great time exploring. Of course, they have separate kind friendly zones as well, so that everybody in the family can tag along and enjoy.
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11. Rocking Horse Ranch’s Indoor water park
Address: 600 US-44, Highland, NY 12528
Rocking Horse Ranch is a very popular resort. For our purposes today, we are not going to talk about the resort itself. However, we are more interested in their indoor “Big Splash” water park. Though the water park is not that massive, it has quite a few rides for both adults and kids. On top of that, after you are done splashing, you can enjoy a little bit of horseback riding in the sun.
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10. Casino Pier & Breakwater Beach Waterpark
Address: 800 Ocean Terrace, Seaside Heights, NJ 08751
We are continuing our list of best indoor and outdoor water parks in and around New York City with Casino Pier & Breakwater Beach that is home to classic theme park rides like roller coasters, an antique carousel and even an arcade. On the other hand you have Breakwater Beach Waterpark, which is a state of the art water theme park filled to the brim with water slides, flumes, and all sorts of fun water themed rides for you and your whole family to enjoy. Of course, they have a massive interactive kid-friendly play area as well.
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9. Cascades Indoor Waterpark
Address: 2177 Clute Rd, Cortland, NY 13045
At 9th spot on our list of best indoor and outdoor water parks in and around New York City we have Cascades Indoor Waterpark that is actually a part of Greek Peak Mountain Resort. The resort itself warrants a visit for its amazing services. However, the addition of an indoor waterpark makes it all the more charming. It is also the very first water park in the Finger Lakes Region. Apart from all the standard water park attractions, the thing we like the most about Cascades is the thousand square foot water basketball cove.
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8. The Land of Make Believe & Pirate’s Cove
Address: 354 Great Meadows Rd, Hope, NJ 07844
If you are looking for some old-fashioned family fun time at an amusement park, then The Land of Make Believe is the place you want to head to. The makes of this park tried their best to mix the classic country-fair experience with thrilling modern rides and of course, integrated a sizable aquatic zone in there as well. Perhaps the most notable attraction of LOMB is the largest wading pool in the country.
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7. Runaway Rapids Waterpark
Address: 275 Beachway Ave, Keansburg, NJ 07734
Halfway through our list of the best indoor and outdoor water parks in and around New York City is the Runaway Rapids Waterpark. This facility is owned and operated by the same folk who run the adjacent Keansburg Amusement Park. The water park has over 18 fun rides complete with a separate play area for kiddies. The awesome thing is, you can buy a combo ticket and enjoy both parks at a much cheaper price.
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6. SplashDown Beach
Address: 16 Old Rte 9 W, Fishkill, NY 12524
Filled to the brim with slides, geysers and fun rides like the famous Water Whirler is SplashDown Beach. If you are wondering what a Water Whirler actually is, then imagine the spinning teacup ride in water. While you are there, please do not forget to try out the Bullet Bowl slide and Humunga Half-Pipe. These are the two main attractions of the water park for adults. It’s only a couple of hours drive away from NYC, so pack your bags and go.
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5. Enchanted Forest Water Safari
Address: 3183 New York 28, Old Forge, NY 13420
We are continuing our list of best indoor and outdoor water parks in and around New York City with Enchanted Forest Water Safari that is probably the largest water theme park in the entirety of New York. It offers over 50 attractions and rides — 32 of those 50 attractions are outdoors and are artificially heated to ensure the best possible experience for the visitors. They have something for all age groups to offer, and one thing is certain, while you are there, you will always have something new to look at or experience.
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4. Mountain Creek Action Park
Address: 200 Route 94, Vernon Township, NJ 07462
Mountain Creek Action Park, the next one on the list of best indoor and outdoor water parks in and around New York City is hardly 50 miles away from New York City, and located at a pristine location atop Mount Vernon. It is an outdoor water park that attracts adventure lovers from all across the country. Since it is mostly outdoors, the best time to enjoy this massive establishment is during summer season, which is now. Alongside regular water park stuff, you will be able to experience some pretty amazing cliff diving and vertical drops.
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3. Zoom Flume Water Park
Address: 20 Shady Glen Rd, East Durham, NY 12423
If you are on a budget, and you want to get the best bang for your buck, then Zoom Flume Water Park, the number three on our list of best indoor and outdoor water parks in and around New York City is your best bet. The park has over 18 attractions and all the bells and whistles of a modern water theme park. However, you will be able to enjoy all of that only for the fraction of a price. The most amazing thing is, the park is situated within the city limits, so you do not have to travel that far as well.
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2. Sahara Sam’s Oasis
Address: 535 New Jersey 73, West Berlin, NJ 08091
Just a couple of hours drive from New York City, and you will reach your destination that ranked second on our list of best indoor and outdoor water parks in and around New York City. If you ever wanted to surf indoors, then this is the place you will give the chance to do so. As far as I know, this is a pretty unique attraction. Also, you will have the chance to shoot hoops in Sam’s Slamdunker a special pool designed for this very purpose. Of course, tree forts, tubes and slides are also available there.
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1. Camelback Lodge & Indoor Waterpark
This indoor water park number one on our list of best indoor and outdoor water parks in and around New York City is open all season. Even when it snows over the picturesque mountain backdrop, you are free to enjoy the comfortably heated rides in the water park. There are several rides and slides to check out and since it’s part of Camelback Lodge resort, you can expect a grand experience. Hardly an hour and a half away from the heart of New York City, you just cannot go wrong with Camelback Lodge Indoor Waterpark.
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This concludes our list of the best indoor and outdoor water parks in and around New York City. Enjoy cooling off!
