Planning the perfect summer vacation for you and your family can be a tough challenge with so many incredible spots to choose from throughout the USA.
Among these popular vacation destinations are many of the premier water parks found all over America, from Los Angeles to New York and Six Flags to Universal’s Volcano Bay. Water parks are perfect for escaping high summer temperatures and spending quality time with your family.
To help you make the perfect choice, here is a list of some of the top water parks in the U.S.
1. Arizona Grand Resort & Spa
The Arizona Grand Resort & Spa is located in sunny Phoenix, Arizona. In addition to being a stunning all-inclusive resort, the property features one of the best water parks in Arizona.
Built across seven acres of land, the aptly named Oasis Water Park features fun amenities suited for all ages. Thrill-seekers can pay a visit to the massive eight-story tower that holds three water slides, including a 225-foot free-fall slide.
Other popular spots at the water park include the massive, zero-entry wave pool that includes two-foot swells and a hot tub with gently rolling jets built to comfortably seat 25 people. Guests of all ages are also big fans of the on-site lazy river — The Zuni River — that allows them to take a tube ride through the park.
For very young visitors, Arizona Grand Resort has a section specifically designed for children. This area, called Wild Cat Springs, includes small slides, water jets, splash pads, a heated pool, and other interactive water play elements.
2. Omni Orlando Resort
The Omni Orlando Resort is located in Orlando, Florida, just a short drive away from the theme parks Walt Disney World Resort, Typhoon Lagoon, SeaWorld, and Universal Orlando. Aside from its premier location, the Omni Orlando Resort is immensely popular for its aquatic fun.
The family-friendly water park includes an 850-foot lazy river that allows guests of all ages to float through tunnels and hidden canyons on gentle rapids that move between two and eight miles per hour.
There are several pool options to choose from. There is a big, zero-entry family pool with a thrilling 125-foot corkscrew waterslide and a more relaxing family whirlpool where you and the kids can take a break. The Omni Resort also boasts the only resort wave pool in all of Orlando, which holds more than 131,000 gallons of water.
Looking for something just for kids? There is a 2,156 square-foot, zero-entry kids swimming pool featuring three water slides built wide enough for parents to ride down with their children. Want something just for the grown-ups? At the adults-only pool, you can lounge and swim laps in luxury.
3. Tidal Cove at JW Marriott Turnberry
The JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa is located in Aventura, Florida. The most popular amenity of the resort is the Tidal Cove Water Park.
At Tidal Cove, the fun never stops. Guests have their fair share of water coasters, slides, and pools to choose from. Thrill-seekers will love the Aqua Drop body slide that features an intense, almost-vertical drop through a trap door.
Another thrilling ride is the Constrictor tube slide that takes you through a series of thrilling sharp turns. Need to relax after all that excitement? Head to the lazy river and explore the resort’s tropical landscape. For even more leisure, you can also check out the Oasis Pool and zero-entry Laguna Pool.
To top it all off, the outdoor water park boasts an incredible play area for children called Kids Cove. Young guests will adore the emoji-themed decor and 4,000-square-foot swimming pool designed especially for them.
4. Hyatt Regency Coconut Point
The Hyatt Regency Coconut Point is located in Bonita Springs, Florida, right by the sparkling Gulf of Mexico, and features one of the largest water parks in Southwest Florida.
The impressive three acres of poolscape features multiple impressive swimming pools. The Lagoon Pool is a large swimming area surrounded by lush tropical landscaping and the ideal spot for taking things slow.
Want to kick things into action? Head over to the Adventure Pool, which includes a 140-foot corkscrew slide and a 425-foot lazy river. Racers, start your engines and speed down the dueling waterslides.
There is also a kid’s pool designed for the fun and safety of younger children featuring a splash pad with fountains, sprinklers, and water jets, small water slides, tipping buckets, water cannons, size-appropriate water slides, and shallow water for kids to wade through comfortably.
5. JadeWaters at Hilton Anatole
The Hilton Anatole is a beautiful, expansive hotel located in Dallas, Texas. In addition to massive event spaces and a spa, this Hilton location has an impressive pool complex called JadeWaters.
At JadeWaters, you will find three acres of relaxation and fun. In the family and children’s area, you will find a family-friendly 7,000-square-foot beach entry pool. In this section of the complex, you will also find an activity pool with two winding 180-foot water slides and play zones for young children.
There is also a luxurious lazy river that measures 630 feet long. As guests ride their tubes down the gentle river, they will take in views of luscious landscaping, unique sculptures, and sparkling waterfalls.
For something a little less stimulating and a little more grown up, guests can visit the Leisure Cove Pool. This separate 4,000-square-foot pool also comes with ample seating, a hot tub, a swim-up bar for adults to purchase drinks, and the occasional live music.
6. River Ranch Water Park at Hilton Phoenix Resort
The Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak is located near downtown Phoenix, Arizona. The 27-acre all-suite resort features a popular water park called River Ranch.
At the family-friendly River Ranch Water Park, you will find a half-mile-long lazy river surrounded by beautiful greenery and the view of nearby mountaintops. If this isn’t enough to cool you off, you can lounge by the water in a cozy shaded cabana instead.
There are also three swimming pools, all made with pebble-sheen surfaces that make them sparkle! The surrounding decor includes tall palm trees and rushing waterfalls. Guests will also enjoy swimming to popular tunes through the resort’s state-of-the-art sound system.
There is also a kids’ splash pad area, which is a fun and safe spot for kids to play in shallow waters, with fun aquatic features like fountains and spray jets.
7. Forest Oasis at The Woodlands Resort
The Woodlands Resort is a Hilton Hotels property located in The Woodlands, Texas. Among the many incredible amenities at the resort is the Forest Oasis Waterpark.
This Forest Oasis Waterpark has multiple pools, all kept at a comfortable temperature year-round. During cooler months, the pools are all heated.
The main recreation pool is fun for all ages and features a 30-foot tower with waterfalls and racer slides for families to compete on. When you splash in the water down below, you’ll find murals and underwater music!
Puffy’s Sprayground is a children’s aquatic play area that has fountains, waterspouts, and a zero-entry pool just for them. There’s also a lazy river suitable for guests of all ages. Climb aboard a tube and travel down 1,005 feet of calming waters. When you’re done, lounge by the pool on a daybed or cabana and grab a drink from the bar.
8. Park Hyatt Aviara
The Park Hyatt Aviara is a resort, golf club, and spa located in Carlsbad, California. This luxury resort overlooks the Pacific Ocean and features a beautiful poolscape.
The main pool at the Park Hyatt Aviara, suitable for all guests, is a large, heated pool surrounded by beautiful landscaping and waterslides. The family pool is tailored for young guests to have fun. Along with the wading pool, there is a play area with fountains and other water features.
The Ocean View Pool Deck is recommended for guests 18 and older. It includes an infinity-edge pool, comfortable lounge chairs and cabanas, poolside food and cocktail service, and stunning panoramic views of the ocean.
Aside from the private cabana rentals that include access to the Splash Pool Deck with a waterslide, a 43-inch TV, and complimentary fruit and sparkling wine, the best place to relax might just be in one of the resort’s multiple hot tubs, taking in the stunning sunset.
9. Great Wolf Lodge Arizona
The Great Wolf Lodge Arizona is a resort and indoor water park located in Scottsdale, Arizona. This iconic aquatic location is chock-full of water rides and family-friendly fun.
This 80,000-square-foot indoor water park is kept at 84 degrees year-round. Little ones can play comfortably at the Talking Stick Treehouse splash pad area, which includes a multi-level treehouse, water slides, water jets, and a tipping bucket. Kids hoping to go for a swim can do so safely at the Cub Paw Pool, made just for them!
Older kids looking for something more thrilling should check out the resort’s raft ride, River Canyon Run. This attraction simulates whitewater rafting as guests twist and turn down the slides in their tube. Other thrilling attractions include the Wolf Tail trapdoor waterslide and the Alberta Falls water coaster that has guests descending down four stories.
The whole family will enjoy playing at Chinook Cove. This water playground gives guests the chance to splash in the pool and play a game of basketball. After a day of nonstop fun, take a soothing ride down the Crooked Creek lazy river.
10. Gaylord Rockies Resort
The Gaylord Rockies Resort is located in Aurora, Colorado, less than 10 miles from Denver. The luxurious hotel is accompanied by a water park called Arapahoe Springs.
Arapahoe Springs Water Park is the ideal location for families to cool off this summer. Fan of the great outdoors? Take a dip in the outdoor heated pool. Need a break from the sunshine? No problem, head inside to the indoor pool instead! There are indoor and outdoor hot tubs, as well as an adults-only hot tub.
Part of what makes the resort so popular is the stunning lazy river. Lounge on an inner tube and go floating down 720 feet of water. As you travel throughout the water park, you will also encounter water jets, bubblers, and a rocky grotto.
Children will enjoy braving the several waterslides at Arapahoe Springs, all designed with different age groups in mind. Young guests can head to the Kids’ Splash Zone to play on a splash pad area equipped with fun water features.
Let ResortPass Make Life Easier
With so many famous amusement parks, beaches, and resorts to choose from, it can feel like there’s not enough time to check everything off your summer bucket list. With ResortPass, you’ll be able to have a stress-free summer filled with as many daycations as you want.
Using the website or app, you can purchase Day Passes to various resorts, providing you with access to their pools, beaches, water parks, fitness centers, and more. This way, you and your family can spend the day soaking up some Vitamin D, getting in some aquatic exercise, and enjoying all the resort amenities without having to spend money on a full night’s stay.
This not only helps you to save financially but also provides you with more time to have fun. So, whether you live in Ohio, Nevada, Indiana, or Williamsburg, there’s a waterpark not too far away.
Go hang out at the nearest amusement park riding roller coasters, hiking at a national park, or going on splashin’ safaris at the zoo. Close out your evening with a visit to the nearest resort’s island waterpark. Your kids will be so happy, they’ll be calling you the Santa Claus of summer!
And don’t forget your sunscreen!
