Community swimming pools and those round, plastic kiddie tubs from the home center are okay, but if you want to make a real splash with the kids this summer, you’ll want to check out our roundup of local all-ages waterparks near NJ. Not only will they take the fun of their backyard Slip ‘n Slide to the next level, they’re also a super-fun solution to helping the kids—and your patience—stay cool as the temps climb.
Great Wolf Lodge Poconos
Hey, why should the kids have all the fun? Make it a family affair and book a weekend stay at Great Wolf Lodge in the Poconos. This recently renovated resort unveiled a brand new look, from beautifully updated guest rooms and deluxe suites to a premium array of fine dining and shopping options. But of course, the real reason to book your stay is Great Wolf’s ginormous all-ages water park that’s chock-full of super-fun aqua-centric attractions, including The Double Barrel Drop, Coyote Cannon, River Canyon Run, Totem Towers, and at least a dozen more that are all included in the price of your stay. And because Great Wolf doesn’t allow non-resort visitors, the park doesn’t feel overcrowded and lines are minimal–aka perfect for your impatient preschooler. We’ll splash to that!
The Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark
Located in Monticello, NY, this family-fun Catskills resort (just a 90-munute car ride away!) is already making waves in advance of its grand opening on June 1. The draw? Oh, just the largest indoor waterpark in all of New York State, along with a luxury spa, rope courses, rock climbing walls, a mini arcade, mini bowling alleys, virtual reality experiences, Laser Tag courses, and much, much, more. This place is sure to be a waterpark addict’s wet dream, from the 48-foot-long Nor’Easter slide, with rafts that will literally send you soaring, to the 42-foot-long Jiggerty-Jaggerty racing slide, to the high-speed, splash-tastic waterslide The Krakken, whose name should speak for itself. But it’s not just the kids Kartite caters to. Parents are sure to appreciate its close proximity to the Resorts World Casino, where they can enjoy some distinctly adult time after a day full of splashing around with the kids.
Kalahari Resort
You may have already visited the gargantuan African-themed Kalahari Resort in the Poconos, a kinda' man-made marvel with 100,000 square feet of indoor water fun including (of course) slides galore, a FlowRider wave generator for stand-up surfing and bodyboarding, a lazy river, and a retractable roof that turns the place open-air in the warm weather months. But if you haven’t been in a while it’s time to check out their expansion which doubled the park in size making it the largest indoor water park in the world, even bigger (and better!) than Kalahari's fabled behemoth of a park in Sandusky, Ohio.
Camelback Resort Lodge
Giving The Kartrite a run for its money is no easy feat, but Camelback Resort, also located in the Poconos, manages to do just that. Home to the Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark, Camelback bills itself as the largest ski and waterpark resort in the country. And they certainly don’t disappoint. The giant indoor sphere they’ve constructed houses some of the coolest water slides and wet ‘n wild wonders around—170,000 square feet of them, to be exact! Experience 84-degree, crystal-clear, Caribbean-like water over more than nine exclusive slides and whip-fast water coasters, one-of-a-kind river raft rides, age-appropriate play zones, adults-only Flyboys swim-up bars, and so much more. The whole family will surely be shouting “H2O yeah!” in no time.
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor
This summer, the king of amusement parks promises 100,000 gallons of summertime fun with the debut of its Calypso Springs attraction, complete with beach entry-style pool, an obelisk-style fountain with spontaneous erupting geyser, a GIANT lounge deck with hundreds of sunbathing chairs and oversized umbrellas, and much more. But that’s just the start of it—or rather the middle of it. On either side, guests can cool off at Six Flags’ signature Taak It Eez Ee Creek lazy river and the mind-blowing Tornado water slide. Located in nearby Jackson, New Jersey, all roads lead to fun. We recommend downloading the convenient mobile app to stay up-to-date with special offers and exclusive discounts and perks.
Morey’s Piers and Water Parks
Going down the shore this summer? Skip a dip in the Atlantic in favor of a visit to one (or both!) of the legendary family-owned waterparks located smack-dab in the middle of all the action. Ocean Oasis Water Park & Beach Club, located at the end of Surfside Pier, offers a slew of surf’s up fun, including the high-speed Riptide Rapids tube slide, Rocket Raft Run, twisting, double-dipped Sidewinders slides, the five-stories-high Cliff Dive, and the “let’s go again!” 40-foot-high Wipeout! racing slide. Or head to the end of Mariner’s Pier to experience Raging Waters Water Park with tons of speed slides, river adventures, rope swings, fountain and activity pools, serpentine slides, and tons more. Grab a discounted season pass, which pays for itself in just four visits, and splash all season long at one unbeatable price.
