Indoor Waterparks Offer Warm Family Fun

So it’s getting colder out and you’re itching for a balmy beach getaway, but a trip to the tropics just isn’t in the budget, right? Since our first family trip to Wisconsin Dells (”waterpark capital of the world”) almost ten years ago, I’ve become a bit of a waterpark evangelist. Since then we’ve visited over a dozen parks within a few hours’ radius of our Michigan home.

Over the last five years or so, indoor waterparks have started popping up all over the country, so you no longer have to live in the Midwest to be within driving distance of one. Here are a few of the reasons why indoor waterpark resorts are one of my family’s favorite weekend getaways:

Something for everyone. Most of the indoor waterparks I’ve been to offer a nice mix of attractions for big kids and little kids. For instance, during a recent trip to Key Lime Cove in Gurnee, IL (north of Chicago), I spent most of my time in a warm, zero-entry toddler pool with a series of small slides. Clara, our baby, splashed in the shallowest water while Owen, 3, and William, 6, went down the slides. The big boys opted for the thrill slides, going down again and again, which emptied into a wave pool right next to the toddler pool. Of course, we had to take a few trips down the lazy river, too (my favorite part!). Continue reading…