Indoor waterparks: the perfect way to warm up on a cold winter day
The Buffalo News
12/21/2014
Brrr….it’s cold outside, so put on your bathing suit and head for the water. No, I don’t mean outside, I mean head to one of several indoor waterparks that in within a half day drive (or less!) from Buffalo. While all of these waterparks are open year-round, they are especially fun as a winter destination when it’s freezing outside and you’re longing for summertime fun. Most waterparks are kept at a balmy 84 degrees, so they’re a perfect place to warm up on a cold day.
You don’t have to go far from home
At this time of year the weather can be iffy if you want to plan a day trip or weekend getaway. Fortunately, there are several waterparks that are less than an hour from Buffalo, although most of them are across the border in Niagara Falls, Ontario, so you will need a passport or enhanced license if you want to visit those.
While most people who go to the waterparks are overnight guests at the hotels connected to them, the facilities usually have a limited number of day passes available to those not staying overnight; always call first to check availability if this pertains to you.
Palm Island Indoor Waterpark
Located in the Clarion Hotel in Batavia, Palm Island is smaller than some of the other waterparks described in this article; however, that makes it especially attractive to families with younger children, as its smaller size makes it easier to keep track of little ones. Note, even though these facilities have plenty of lifeguards, parents still have to be vigilant in watching their kids around water.
This 12,000 square foot waterpark has two 24 foot tall body slides, a pool with a waterfall and basketball hoop, a hot tub, children’s pool and play area, as well as an arcade, gift shop and a food concession serving casual kid-friendly fare like pizza, hot dogs, and chicken fingers.
It is strongly recommended to book an overnight stay during school holiday weeks, such as the President’s Day winter break, Easter week, etc.
Palm Island Indoor Waterpark (Clarion Hotel), 8250 Park Road, Batavia, 585-344-2100, www.palmislandindoorwaterpark.com, www.clarionbatavia.com The waterpark is open Friday-Monday during the winter months.
Fallsview Waterpark
This 125,000 square foot waterpark, located on the top of the Casino Niagara Parking garage, connects to three Falls Avenue resort hotels via an indoor walkway and is about a two minute walk to the Falls. The waterpark, which opened in 2006, features 16 waterslides, an indoor wave pool, an adults-only whirlpool, a tiny tots splash park and play area, and even an outdoor heated sun deck and pool that is open year-round. The waterpark is close to Clifton Hill and other Niagara Falls, Ontario attractions.
Fallsview Waterpark, 5685 Falls Avenue, Niagara Falls, Ontario, 905-374-4444, www.fallsviewwaterpark.com
Great Wolf Lodge Niagara Falls
Great Wolf Lodge has about a dozen waterpark resorts throughout the United States and Canada. Great Wolf Lodge Niagara Falls is located about 3 miles north of the Falls. The 103,000 square foot waterpark features 13 waterslides, a 4 foot deep activity pool, the Niagara rapids water roller coaster, kiddie slides, a 4-story interactive tree house, a wave pool, lazy river, and an outdoor pool that is open during the summer. There are also several places to eat located within the resort.
As with the other waterparks, it is best to book an overnight stay at their hotel to fully enjoy the park. A limited number of day passes are available for those not staying at the hotel; it’s best to call first during peak times, such as school breaks, as day passes are only available if the waterpark is not at capacity.
Great Wolf Lodge Niagara Falls, 3950 Victoria Avenue, Niagara Falls, Ontario, 905-354-4888, www.greatwolf.com/niagarafalls
Waves Indoor Waterpark at the Americana Resort
This 25,000 square foot glass enclosed waterpark is the only waterpark in Niagara that has a retractable roof. Located several miles from the Falls along touristy Lundy’s Lane, it features tube slides, body slides, a wave pool, kiddy pool, and seasonal themed activities. The hotel features a full-service spa and there is a restaurant on site.
Waves Indoor Waterpark, Americana Resort, 8444 Lundy’s Lane, Niagara Falls, Ontario, 905-356-8444, 866-707-0030, www.americananiagara.com
Just a short drive down the Thruway
Splash Lagoon
Splash Lagoon in Erie Pennsylvania, about a 90 minute drive from Buffalo, has been a popular place for people from western New York to visit since it opened in 2003. The 120,000 square foot Polynesian-themed waterpark is Erie’s number one year-round tourist attraction. It has the largest indoor wave pool in the United States, as well as a variety of attractions from tame to extreme.
My husband and I, along with our two youngest children, visited Splash Lagoon several months ago. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express, one of the three hotels that are connected to the waterpark.
While the kids, age 12 and 19, enjoyed the wilder attractions, with names like shark attack, python plunge, black hole, and big kahuna, as well as the hurricane hole, which drops you in 6 feet of water, my husband and I were content to grab inner tubes and float down the lazy river and get our feet wet in the wave pool. The resort also has several hot tubs, a tiki tree house with 12 levels, and a play area for smaller children.
In addition, the facility has an arcade, a 30 foot high ropes course, and a gift shop. There are also several food and beverage concessions at the waterpark. A number of national chain and local restaurants are also a short drive away.
Splash Lagoon, 8091 Peach Street (exit 24 off I-90), Erie, Pennsylvania, 1-866-3-SPLASH, www.splashlagoon.com
Sandusky Ohio
While Sandusky, Ohio, about a 5 hour drive from Buffalo is probably best known for Cedar Point Amusement Park, which is open during the warmer months, there are also several waterpark in Sandusky that provide year-round entertainment.
Kalahari Resort
The Kalahari Resort is America’s largest indoor waterpark; at 173,000 square feet, it is larger than 3 ½ football fields! I visited the resort several years ago when I volunteered to be a chaperone for my daughter’s class trip. The resort and the waterpark are really awesome. The waterpark features a 12,000 square foot wave pool, five waterslides, a 3,000 square foot activity pool, a really cute kiddy pool area, and even an indoor surfing experience, Flow Rider, which pumps 50,000 gallons of water per minute.
The kids in our group really had a blast trying surfing, because, let’s face it, we don’t have much of an opportunity to surf in Buffalo. There is also a large video arcade, a mini golf course, and special guest activities each day.
The resort also features a full-service spa, specialty shops, four sit down restaurants, plus several places to get refreshments inside the waterpark.
Kalahari Resort, 700 Kalahari Drive, Sandusky, Ohio, 419-433-7200, 877-525-2427, www.kalahariresort.com
Great Wolf Lodge
There is also a Great Wolf Lodge in Sandusky, which my family visited a few years ago. It features a 41,000 square foot entertainment area that includes the indoor waterpark, an outdoor pool, and a game arcade. Most of the water attractions are very similar to the ones described under the Great Wolf Lodge Niagara Falls. There are also several dining options available within the resort.
Great Wolf Lodge, 4600 Milan Road (US 250) Sandusky, Ohio, 419-609-6000, www.greatwolf.com
Castaway Bay
This tropical Caribbean-themed 38,000 square foot year-round waterpark is located in Cedar Point’s Castaway Bay Resort. It includes three indoor/outdoor tube slides, a wave pool, children’s play pool, a multi-story interactive play area with four water slides, and a water roller coaster. There is also an arcade and three restaurants. Day passes are available but are subject to availability and blackout dates.
Castaway Bay, 2001 Cleveland Road West, Sandusky, Ohio, 419-627-2106, www.castawaybay.com
Maui Sands and Indoor Waterpark
This 45,000 square foot Hawaiian-themed waterpark has attractions with names like Maui Wowie Bowl Slide and Hammerhead Plunge. They also have a lazy river, activity pool, treehouse climb, and more.
Maui Sands and Indoor Waterpark, 5313 Milan Road, Sandusky, Ohio, 419-621-7337, www.mauisandsresort.com
Central New York Getaway
Cascades Waterpark at Greek Peak Resort
Cascades, which opened in 2009, is located at Hope Lodge at Greek Peak Ski Resort, about a 5 hour drive from Buffalo. It is the only waterpark in Central New York and the first waterpark in the Finger Lakes Region. The 41,000 square foot waterpark has multiple body slides, activity pool, wading pool, white water wave pool, indoor and outdoor hot tubs, an outdoor pool that is open year-round, and an interactive play structure. Overnight accommodations, as well as day tickets are available by advance purchase only.
Cascades Waterpark at Greek Peak Resort, 2000 NY 392, Cortland, NY, 855-444-8696, www.cascadesindoorwaterpark.com
