If you’re looking for a fun family activity, you may want to check out some of the best water parks in Ohio. The Midwestern state is home to several great indoor and outdoor water parks, so your family can enjoy water activities during any time of year.
Best Water Parks in Ohio
Here are some of the best water parks in Ohio to help you decide where your family should visit.
#1 – Zoombezi Bay – Powell, OH
Zoombezi Bay is an outdoor water park attached to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Admission to the park also includes zoo admission for that same day. So, in summer months, many visitors love to visit the zoo first, and then as temperatures rise, they head over to the water park to cool off.
Some exciting attractions include a lazy river, several interactive kiddie areas, a wave pool, and some action-packed water slides. The park often hosts special events, such as movies by the water on select days and a haunted theme park in the fall. The water park is usually open from mid May to early September.
#2 – Soak City – Mason, OH
Kings Island is a famous amusement park in Ohio, and Soak City is the water park attached to it. Admission to Soak City includes admission to Kings Island. There are over 50 attractions at the water park, including activities that all ages can enjoy. This theme park is located just outside of Cincinnati.
Some of the popular attractions include a wave pool, floating lily pad walk, and a winding lazy river. Of course, there’s also a variety of slides, including mild kid-friendly ones, along with dark slides, funnels, and free-fall slides. Like Zoombezi Bay, it operates May through September.
#3 – Castaway Bay – Sandusky, OH
Castaway Bay is an indoor water park at a hotel that sits along the water. No matter the time of year, this water park is always a comfortable 80 degrees so guests won’t need to shiver. In addition to the water park, the hotel has other fun activities, including an arcade, escape room, mini golf, and mini bowling.
Some of the water park’s attractions include a water coaster, body slides, hot tubs, and a play area for young kids. It has the perfect mixture of action-packed and relaxing activities.
#4 – Kalahari Resorts – Sandusky, OH
Kalahari Resorts have four locations in the United States, all of which are hotels that have massive indoor water parks. The Sandusky, Ohio, location is the largest indoor water park in Ohio. The hotel has tons of safari-themed attractions, including a game room, virtual reality simulator, escape room, mini golf, 7-D theater, laser tag, and animal park.
Of course, the main attraction at the resort is the water park. Some water attractions include a surfing simulator, swim-up bar, lazy river, kid play areas, indoor and outdoor hot tubs, and of course, a variety of slides.
#5 – Cedar Point Shores – Sandusky, OH
Cedar Point Shores is Ohio’s biggest outdoor water park, and it’s located at the famous Cedar Point amusement park. One of the Cedar Point roller coasters even goes right through the center of the water park. The water park normally operates from May to September.
The park has lots of interactive activities for small kids, along with thrilling water slides for older kids and adults. When guests are looking for a break, there’s a calming lazy river that winds around the park. Guests can even rent cabanas to hang out in while the rest of their party explores.
#6 – Coney Island – Cincinnati, OH
Coney Island is a family-friendly park that has lots of water activities. It’s a classic Ohio destination that opened in 1886. Some attractions include a large pool, some water slides, a floating obstacle course, and a dive pool.
The park has a few non-aquatic attractions too, such as small carnival rides, mini golf, and paddle boats. Plus, the attraction has fair foods that guests can purchase. The water park operates Memorial Day through Labor Day.
#7 – Troy Aquatic Park – Troy, OH
Troy Aquatic Park is a smaller water park for the local community, but it’s still a great place for summer fun. It’s located just outside of Dayton, so it’s a great stop on a road trip or a fun adventure for residents. It’s also more affordable than many of the other attractions.
Some of the activities include an interactive water play area, diving boards, a heated baby pool, and curvy water slides. There are plenty of lounge chairs for parents to rest on while their kids play. There are also concessions for when your party gets hungry. The park is open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.
#8 – Monsoon Lagoon Watering Hole Safari & Water Park – Port Clinton, OH
Monsoon Lagoon is a unique attraction because it’s more than just a water park. It also has a small zoo attached to it, along with go-karts and a miniature golf course. It offers a number of events, including movie nights and adult-only nights. The water park is only open in warmer months, but some of the other attractions are open year-round, depending on the weather.
At the water park, you’ll find a play area for kids with several slides, a lazy river, some heated pools, and a slide tower. No outside food is allowed in the park, but there are plenty of concessions stands.
#9 – Clay’s Resort – North Lawrence, OH
Clay’s Resort water park is part of the Jellystone Park campground. So, your family can camp while enjoying all the exciting amenities. You can also go to the water park for the day if you get a day pass or seasonal pass. The water park is only open during warm months.
The resort has a 10-acre swimming lake and lots of fun water activities. Guests can enjoy water slides, a splash pad, a water adventure park, and water inflatables such as a climbing wall. Guests can also rent canoes and kayaks. If you want to do activities that don’t involve getting wet, you can enjoy playgrounds, laser tag, mini golf, and sports like basketball, volleyball, and tennis.
#10 – Water Works Family Aquatic Center – Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Water Works is a family aquatic center that’s often overlooked, but guests who visit will have a day of fun water activities. There’s a huge pool guests can swim in, along with lap swimming area and a zero-depth entrance in the main pool.
Some attractions include tube and body slides, a lazy river, and water geysers. There’s a small slide and a sand play area for young children. All ages will find something to enjoy at this aquatic center. The water area is only open May through August.
#11 – Great Wolf Lodge – Mason, OH
Like the Kalahari, Great Wolf Lodge is a North American resort chain known for its massive indoor water parks. Water park admission is included if you stay at the hotel, which has adorable wilderness themes. No matter the time of year, this water park is always warm inside.
Some water attractions include a lazy river, pools, and hot tubs. There are also several slides, including drop slides, body slides, and tube slides. Other non-water attractions include MagiQuest, an arcade, bowling alleys, mini golf, and a Build-a-Bear Workshop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Before you plan your trip, here are some questions you might be wondering.
Are There Water Parks in Columbus Ohio?
Yes, there are a few Columbus water park options. Zoombezi Bay is located on the outskirts of the city. There are several small water parks, pools, and aquatic centers within the city too.
What is the Biggest Water Park in Ohio?
Cedar Point Shores is the largest water park in Ohio, sitting on 18 acres. The Kalahari water park is the largest indoor option at 223,000 square feet.
What are Other Fun Things to Do in Ohio?
Not many people think of Ohio as a vacation destination, but it actually has lots of fun things to do. Here are a few popular attractions in Ohio:
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
- Cedar Point
- Cleveland Museum of Art
- Fountain Square
- National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
Another aspect of Ohio that many people don’t know is that it has many majestic castles. So, if you love looking at unique buildings, you can visit some castles in Ohio.
Planning an Ohio Water Park Trip!
There are lots of great Ohio water parks that both locals and visitors can enjoy. So, if your family is looking for a fun activity in Ohio, these indoor and outdoor water parks are great options.
If it’s a warm summer day, outdoor water parks are lots of fun, but if it’s chilly out, you can still experience indoor options. Between water slides, wave pools, and lazy rivers, there’s something that everyone can enjoy!
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