Water parks aren’t just for the summer. In fact, since the cold weather months far outnumber the warm ones here in Michigan, we think these all-season water parks are a dream come true.
Whether you’re looking for a nearby winter water playground or want to take a family vacation to an indoor water park, we’ve found a great selection of water parks for families. Stick to a budget and keep it local with smaller water parks in Chicagoland, or book a winter getaway at a thrilling indoor water park that is sure to be worth the drive.
Before you grab your swimsuit, read up on water safety for children and get some helpful tips for visiting a waterpark as a family.
Tips for Families When Visiting a Water Park
- Many water parks offer their guests early access to the park. If you’re staying overnight, find out if you get any special perks with your stay that can help you beat the crowds and make the most of your trip.
- Most parks require swim diapers for children who are not toilet trained.
- Make sure your swimwear is appropriate for a family setting. Swimwear with zippers, buckles and other sharp materials is usually not allowed in the water park for safety reasons. Blue swimwear is not recommended for children because it can make them difficult to spot underwater.
- Obey the lifeguards. This one may seem obvious, but the lifeguards are in charge while you’re at the water park. Listening to their instructions will not only ensure you have the best experience, it can also prevent any accidents and keep your family safe.
- Take a swim lesson before you go. If your child is not a strong swimmer, they likely won’t feel comfortable when a ride sends them under the water. Know your child’s limitations and consider signing them up for a swim lesson to improve their skills and confidence in the water.
- Know your child’s height. Many water rides have a height and/or age requirement. Keeping your child away from attractions they aren’t tall enough to ride can help prevent meltdowns when they are turned away after waiting in line.
- Towel service can be limited on busy days. Be sure to bring your own towels, just in case.
- You don’t want to leave the water park in a swimsuit! In addition to a change of clothes, bring any toiletries you would normally use to get ready — deodorant, a comb, hair products, wipes, etc., can all be useful and avoid an unnecessary trip back to your car or the hotel room.
Indoor water parks near metro Detroit
Macomb Township Recreation Center Pools
- Address: 20699 Macomb St., Macomb Township
- Day pass: $8/residents, $16/non-residents
Plunge into two pools, featuring a water slide, lazy river and more. Kids can sign up for swim lessons, too.
Romulus Aquatic Center
- Address: 35765 Northline Road, Romulus
- Day pass: $10/residents, $15/non-residents
Little ones can enjoy the Splash Pool, which is zero-depth entry for easy access to play on the structure. There’s also a lazy river, a two-story twisting water slide, lap pool and hot tub.
Splash Universe
- Address: 100 Whitetail Drive, Dundee
- Day pass: The water park is currently closed for construction. Check back soon for more information.
This two-story spot has Goldmine Adventure Slides guests can slide down with inner tubes, a family spa that opens to the River Raisin lazy river, a floating log walk, water tree house for tykes and more. Kids experience hourly fun at the arcade, too. It’s a water park adventure close to home. Temporarily closed due to renovations.
Summit Aquatic Center at Summit on the Park
- Address: 46000 Summit Pkwy., Canton
- Day pass: The aquatic center is currently closed for renovations. Check back soon for more information!
The newly renovated Summit Aquatic Center has all new tile in the pools, spa and sauna, a revamped lazy river and a new water feature. A cool twisting turquoise slide complements the lazy river and zero-depth leisure pool with features for little ones; plus find a lap pool, spa, steam room, sauna, swim lessons and water fitness classes.
Troy Community Center Indoor Pool
- Address: 3179 Livernois Road, Troy
- Day pass: $10/residents, $15/non-residents
This indoor pool is open year-round and is available to those with a membership or daily pass. It offer slides, swimming lanes, kiddie water features and more.
Warren Community Center Water Park
- Address: 5460 Arden Ave., Warren
- Day passes not available.
- Monthly membership: $50/household
- Annual membership: $480/household
Want an indoor water park near Detroit? Try this tropical spot. It’s got the biggest indoor enclosed water slides in Michigan! There’s also a lazy river and 300-gallon tipping bucket attached to a play structure that’s “a jungle gym in a foot of water,” Plus find a hot tub (15-plus) and sauna (18-plus).
Adventure Bay Family Water Park
- Address: 401 Pitt St. West, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
- Day pass: $14/residents, $16.50/non-residents
Fight the surf in the wave pool, ride the Python with its twists and turns or try the Whizzard — hydro-dynamic water slides that provide an intense downhill race experience. Other amenities include a rainforest-themed splash zone and an activity pool where guests can shoot hoops or lounge by the pool.
Indoor water parks worth the drive
Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark at Boyne Mountain
- Address: 1 Boyne Mountain Road, Boyne Falls
- Day pass: $36-$58
Find a 10-degree vertical drop slide, The Big Couloir — a launch capsule that drops riders into a narrow tunnel where they instantly accelerate to 38 feet per second, Rip Zone, lazy river, hot tubs, the Vertigo Cannonbowl Slide and Splasherhorn — a multi-level play structure with bridges, dumping buckets, slides, water spouts and more.
Bavarian Inn Lodge
- Address: 1 Covered Bridge Lane, Frankenmuth
- Day pass: Call 855-652-7200 for pricing. Day passes are not available on high occupancy nights
At this Frankenmuth water park, you’ll find four indoor pools, three whirlpools (one for adults only) and two waterslides. Plus, there’s a big arcade with more than 160 video and redemption games, air hockey and pool tables. Also, a Bavarian-themed indoor mini golf course.
The water park is currently undergoing renovations, so be on the look out for splash-tastic new attractions!
Gold Rush Waterpark
- Address: 5900 S. Water Road, Rothbury
- Day pass: $25
This water park offers plenty of ways to get soaked. You can soar down Western Michigan’s tallest waterslide, splash in the wave pool or relax and float down the lazy river. Also, a toddler pool, specifically for little ones.
Great Wolf Lodge
- Addresses: 3575 N. U.S. Highway 31, Traverse City
- Day pass: $35-$60
Thrill seekers can try the three-person toboggan water slide and more, while little ones explore the four-story tree house, accessible through zero-depth entry. Chill in hot tubs and lounge in the lazy river, too.
Soaring Eagle Water Park & Hotel
- Address: 5665 E. Pickard Road, Mount Pleasant
- Day pass: $33-$55
Catch a big wave on the Flow Rider or race down one of two big water slides, Loon’s Loop and Otter’s Run with Slide Champ. Kids can make a splash and shoot hoops in Gizi’s Splash and Dunk or wait for 317 gallons of water to fall from a huge bucket suspended at the top of Biish Falls — a water jungle gym designed especially for the youngest guests.
Zehnder’s Splash Village
- Address: 1365 S. Main St., Frankenmuth
- Day pass: $48-$65
Enjoy more than 50,000 square feet of aquatic fun with a six-story family raft ride, zero-entry activity pool, Splash Landing play area, body slide, Crooked Brook Creek Lazy River and much more. The spot was voted the Best of the Best in 2022. It is also Michigan’s only retractable roof water park. Also, features an outdoor pool, which is open in the summer time.
Castaway Bay
- Address: 2001 Cleveland Road, Sandusky, Ohio
- Day passes not available. Overnight stays start at $200 per room.
This Caribbean-themed retreat features the Air Racer Rally slide, Rocket’s Canopy Coaster, Pierce’s Play Pool, School Crossing and more. You’ll feel like you’re in the Caribbean with the natural setting of palm trees, inland lagoons and huts. Also, take a break from the pool to enjoy the family fun center, equipped with an escape room, arcade, mini bowling and black light mini golf.
Great Wolf Lodge
- Addresses: 4600 Milan Road (US 250), Sandusky, Ohio
- Day pass: $40-$70
Thrill seekers can try the three-person toboggan water slide and more, while little ones explore the four-story tree house, accessible through zero-depth entry. Chill in hot tubs and lounge in the lazy river, too.
Kalahari Resort
- Addresses: 7000 Kalahari Drive, Sandusky, Ohio and 1305 Kalahari Drive, Wisconsin Dells
- Day pass: Pricing varies by location.
In Ohio, find an interactive play area and water slides at a 173,000-square-foot indoor water park, plus Swahili Swirl and the Leopard’s Lair (there’s also an outdoor adventure park with rock walls, a zip line and ropes course). Wisconsin has a zero-depth entry wave pool, the Wild Wildebeast tube slide and more.
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