No one said we had to tuck away our wild sides the moment we hit adulthood. There’s nothing wrong with longing to slip and slide down a waterslide, lose your cool on a roller coaster, or laze away the day with nothing more than a pool float and an umbrella drink.
Below, we’ll sail through ten water parks that are just as much fun for adults as the kiddos in your party. Get ready to let your hair down, pump up the adrenaline, and escape all your responsibilities, even if only for a day.
1. Schlitterbahn New Braunfels
That’s a mouthful, isn’t it? Located in New Braunfels, Texas, there’s a lot on offer here for the kids and the adults in your party. Spread across 70 acres, the opportunities for tomfoolery abound in this German town in Texas.
Schlitterbahn’s water slides, water roller coasters, rivers, and pools are weaved through natural landscaping, making you feel at ease with one of the most beautiful states in the nation while indulging your wild side.
2. Dollywood’s Splash Country
All of Dollywood is a dream. It seems there’s nothing she doesn’t touch that doesn’t turn pretty. But, Splash Country is particularly captivating because it blends in with the area so perfectly.
Inspired by the Great Smoky Mountains that she grew up admiring, Splash Country features white water rafting, a water coaster, a lagoon, waterslides that slip into a grotto, a waterfall, an actual geyser, and plenty of places to seek the shade before reloading and going back for more.
3. Mandalay Bay Beach
When you head to Vegas, you have luxury hotel after luxury hotel to choose from. Many of them are bedecked with rooftop pools to wash your cares away.
But, if you can make your way to Mandalay Beach, you’ll be so surprised by what exists there. You can indulge your wild side in the wave pool, rest in the lazy river, and then take an umbrella drink to their man-made beach – yes, in the middle of the desert.
4. Slide Rock State Park
If Vegas isn’t quite your style, how about Sedona? For something a little more low-key Slide Rock not only brings the fun, but also embraces nature beautifully.
Here, you’ll find an 80-foot slide carved into the red rocks that’s naturally powered by a current that empties into a swimming hole. While it doesn’t sound as exhilarating as Dolly’s Splash Country, your surroundings put it on a par.
5. SoundWaves
Let’s head back to Tennessee. SoundWaves takes on a unique angle: gourmet cuisine. What a unique pairing for a water park! Here, it’s mostly about the adults having fun because they’ve even made space for adults-only bars and cabanas.
Some of the meals you’ll enjoy include lobster rolls and Mexican paletas. Before you eat, you can give their wave rider a try. After, you can luxuriate in their infinity pool and wonder how you wound up in such a pretty corner of the country.
6. Tidal Cove
When looking for water parks in Florida, Orlando is the easy answer. But, if you happen to find yourself on the outskirts of Miami, Tidal Cove is well worth the drive.
Here, too, you’ll find shockingly delicious finds on the menu, delicious drinks, and waterslides thrilling enough to make you feel like a kid again.
7. Volcano Bay
That said, Orlando is the jackpot for theme park fun. So, let’s stay there for two more minutes. If you’re doing Universal, be sure to make some time for an afternoon at Volcano Bay. It’s known for its Ko’okiri Body Plunge, a 125-foot slide with a trap door that drops you down the side of a volcano.
Make no mistake: it’s exhilarating. Once you’ve done it, if you’re having trouble going back, just hit the pause button for a moment at the Dancing Dragons Boat Bar for an umbrella drink that will help you go back for more.
8. Aquatica
We need to give one more nod to Orlando since it really is a thrill-seeker’s paradise. Aquatica is tied to SeaWorld, so you’ll have a lot to do in a day. Even though Orlando is landlocked in the middle of the state, here, you’ll find an 80,000-square-foot beach, complete with sun beds and umbrellas.
Then, when you’re ready for it, there’s also a host of raft slides, racing lanes, wave pools, and waterslides to keep you wrapped up in an alternate universe, even if just for the day.
9. Zoombezi Bay
When compared to Orlando, people probably don’t think of Ohio as a mecca for fun. But, it is with its famous Cedar Point Amusement Park.
While Cedar Point is kind of their Universal, Zoombezi Bay is their Volcano Bay. But what’s extra fun about this water park is that it’s actually attached to the city zoo!
Now, you’re looking at a heart-warming day at the zoo, a slip-and-slide down any one of their 14 slides, and a lazy river that’s complete with a swim-up bar. Talk about paradise.
For more on Cedar Point, as well as other nationwide theme parks that are well worth your while, check out these parks for those seeking an alternative to Disney or Universal.
10. World Waterpak
Speaking of unique locales, did you ever think you’d take aim at Canada for a little water park fun? Why not! You certainly can, even in the dead of winter because this park is located inside a mall.
While West Edmonton Mall is impressive in its own right, with more than 800 stores and 100 different places to enjoy a meal, you can cool off in their water park, known for having the world’s largest indoor wave pool.
Splash Your Cares Away
For just one afternoon, your biggest decision can be whether or not to go to the swim-up bar or take another sail down a 125-foot slide. Doesn’t that sound glorious?
Whether you’re headed to Vegas or Canada to achieve that, we have a destination guide to help you tailor your trip to perfection. Here’s hoping we meet you along the sandy shorelines of a water park, preferably with an umbrella drink in hand!