Are you looking for the best indoor waterparks in New Jersey (NJ) and Pennsylvania (PA)? Great – you’re the right place, and will want to check out this list of the best indoor water parks in NJ and PA!
When the weather takes a turn for the colder temps, families in New Jersey and Pennsylvania might want to find fun things to do indoors. Visiting an indoor waterpark is a fantastic way to have fun and forget about the winter blues! Indoor water parks offer a year-round escape into a world of aquatic adventure and family fun.
Today, water park lovers have plenty of choices on rainy days and even in the middle of December. Some indoor water parks are even open 365 days a year! These indoor waterparks are weatherproof, climate-controlled, and as amazing as outdoor water parks. Luckily, NJ and PA are home to some of the best indoor water parks, offering an exciting getaway for all ages.
Do you know that NJ and PA are pretty close to each other? NJ is bordered by Pennsylvania in the West and New York in the North. They’re like neighbors – not too far apart, so you can easily explore the best of both states in one exciting trip.
Whether you live nearby or are planning a visit, these indoor water parks in NJ and PA promise a splashing good time for you and your family. Keep reading to find out the best indoor water parks in NJ and PA, where the weather doesn’t matter – there is always time for a swim, and family fun!
New Jersey (NY): A Quick Overview
New Jersey, located between the bustling cities of New York and Philadelphia, is a perfect destination for a family getaway with lots of fun things to do. From the scenic shores of the Atlantic Ocean to the rolling hills of the northwest, this tri-state area has a diverse landscape.
From beach towns and dense forests to shiny cities, there is something for everyone. The Garden State is known for its iconic boardwalks, theme parks, and, of course, fantastic indoor water parks. Whether you’re looking for daring slides or a relaxing lazy river, NJ has something for everyone. They’re perfect for having weatherproof water fun on a chilly afternoon or weekend.
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Pennsylvania (PA): A Quick Overview
Known as the “Keystone State,” Pennsylvania has much to offer – from historical landmarks to beautiful lakes, coastlines, and delicious cheesesteaks. When people in NYC or NJ want to take a break, they often go to the Poconos or Jersey Shore. The Poconos in PA is a popular destination for waterparks in summer, skiing in winter, or a romantic getaway.
For those who love water activities, PA has some of the best amusement parks and indoor water parks in the country. Here, you can find one of the largest indoor water parks, the first virtual reality waterslide, and the longest indoor water coaster slide! From the Pocono Mountains to the cityscape of Philadelphia, the indoor water parks in PA provide a refreshing break from daily routine.
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When is the Best Time to Visit Indoor Water Parks in NJ and PA?
The ideal time to visit indoor water parks in NJ and PA is during the colder months when outdoor activities are limited. Fall and winter are the perfect time to enjoy the warmth and water-based activities, making these indoor parks a perfect place for family outings or a weekend getaway. Be sure to check specific park schedules, as some may have seasonal closures or maintenance periods.
10 Best Indoor Water Parks in NJ and PA
If you’re itching for some fun and don’t want to wait for pool season weather, these are the 10 BEST indoor water parks in NJ and PA for your next family trip or weekend getaway. Dive right in and find your own favorite!
Best Indoor Water Parks in NJ
DreamWorks Water Park – East Rutherford, NJ
DreamWorks Water Park ranks top on my list of the best indoor waterparks in NJ and PA. It is an island paradise, perfect when it’s snowing or drizzling outside, with a comfortable 81 degrees. The park is located in the American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, NJ, just a short drive from NYC.
Inside, you’ll meet characters from DreamWorks movies like Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda, and Shrek. There are thrill rides for families, spiral slides, fast body slides, interactive play areas, wave pools, waterfalls, the world’s longest hydromagnetic roller coaster, and the world’s longest indoor lazy river, the Bubly Lazy River.
Kids can enjoy gliding like the Madagascar penguins on body slides, playing in the Kung Fu Panda Temple of Awesomeness, and dropping through the Baobab trees. Thrill-seekers can try Mad Flash, Speeding Frenzy, Shrek’s Shrinhole Slammer, The Carnivotex, Swamp n Splash, and more. Don’t miss the world’s largest indoor wave pool at Far Far A Bay, where the water stays at a comfortable 84 degrees. For kids, there are additional attractions like Nickelodeon Universe, an indoor theme park with rides based on Nickelodeon characters.
If you want to stay longer, you can relax in Sky Box Suites or in poolside cabanas, where you get a view of the pool and even see Manhattan through clear glass railings. Being part of the larger American Dream complex means you can have a whole day of fun with various entertainment, shopping, and dining options.
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Big Kahuna’s Water Park – West Berlin, NJ
Big Kahuna Water Park, formerly also known as Sahara Sam’s Oasis, is one of the best indoor water parks in NJ and PA. It is a tropical paradise right in West Berlin in South Jersey along the north route. The best part is that the park is open year-round! Visiting the park is like stepping into an underwater fantasy world!
This waterpark has both indoor and outdoor fun. Inside, there are water slides, the Little Lizard Landing playland, the Tiki Tides lazy river, the FlowRider Body Surf Simulator, the Jungle Hangout, and a kids’ area. Other popular attractions include Snake Eyes, a super fun tube ride, a water playground, Mount Kilimanjaro, and raft slides for the whole family.
Outside, Big Kahuna has a Hibiscus Bay, Little Kahuna Lagoon, and Tidal Waves wave pool for some sunny excitement. There is also a big Outdoor Beach Club spread across two acres! The park has an arcade, the Komodo Crossing obstacle course, and the Aqua Arena water basketball area. You can stay all day with VIP Cabana rentals, enjoy games at the arcade, or grab a bite at the island-themed cafe. It is a place full of awesome adventures! R
Big Kahuna is open only on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during off-peak times and some weekdays in March and April. Make sure to check the schedule for the latest hours.
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Coco Key Water Resort – Mount Laurel, NJ
If you are looking for a less crowded water park in NJ, head for Coco Key Water Park. This indoor water park has a Key West theme and is linked to The Hotel ML. You can book a room and enjoy the water without going outdoors in the cold. But if you prefer to stay elsewhere, you can still buy CoCo Key Water Park season passes without a hotel room. You’ll have plenty of space to move around and have fun with your family.
CoCo Key, spanning 55,000 square feet, is a medium-sized indoor water park. This park has a 1000-foot-long water slide, a lazy river, and an aquatic jungle gym. There is even an indoor and outdoor spa for parents to relax after sliding down the water rides.
This indoor water park is designed for younger kids, so if you’re a teen or adult looking for big thrills, it might not be the best fit. But for parents looking to treat their kids to a fun afternoon, CoCo Key Water Resort is a great choice. There is also an arcade and restaurants right there. Get ready for a day filled with water adventures!
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Biosphere Pool Complex at Crystal Springs Golf Resort – Hamburg, NJ
The Biosphere Pool Complex is an indoor water park located in Crystal Springs Resort. The Biosphere pool complex is not like a regular hotel pool. It is the main feature of the resort, both in terms of architecture and amenities. It is a large indoor tropical paradise covering 10,000 square feet. Here, you’ll find exciting features, like grotto-style Jacuzzis, a 140-foot water slide, and an underground aquarium. The place is filled with beautiful waterfalls and colorful plants that make you feel like you’re in a tropical paradise.
If you miss the sun, don’t worry; the complex’s retractable roof allows almost all the sunlight to come in, so remember to bring your sunscreen. For kids, two favorite spots are an underground aquarium and a life-size chessboard. The park also has the Reflections Spa, which is a great place to relax after enjoying the water attractions. Here, you can enjoy beauty treatments and luxurious massages. As part of the large Crystal Springs Resort, you also get access to golf courses, fine dining options, and other fun activities on the resort grounds.
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Best Indoor Water Parks in PA
Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark at Camelback Lodge – Tannersville, PA
If you’re looking for indoor water park fun in NJ and PA, then check out Aquatopia at Camelback Lodge. Aquatopia Indoor Water Park is conveniently accessible from central New Jersey, located just off Route 78.
Many people visit Camelback Resort for skiing, but its water park is another good reason to visit. Aquatopia is an amazing 125,000-square-foot indoor waterpark with an adventure theme. This water wonderland provides multiple levels of fun with a warm temperature of 84 degrees, making water adventures possible all year round.
The park is covered by a retractable roof, allowing the sun to warm you up during the day and letting you see the stars at night. They have thirteen different water slides, including tube slides, mat slides, body slides, aqua launch capsule slides, and bowl slides, like the Venus Slydetrap. They even have kiddie slides for their youngest guests! Parents and older kids can try the Skydive Plummet slide. You’ll also find various kids’ wading pools, the Adventure River, interactive Water Play Centers, and much more.
Other most popular features include the Bombora FlowRider and the Ka-Na-Gawa Wavepool. For the little ones, there is a toddler area at Aquatopia with shallow water and small slides, perfect for young children. Some attractions include a giant water tube, Mountain Mayhem, a new on-site attraction, All-OOP-Lagoon, a game of shooting hoops from the pool, and the aqua tube constructor.
If you’re looking for more fun, try one of the five indoor activities: Laser Tag, Rock Climbing, Virtual Reality Experiences, or Escape Rooms. Adults can enjoy a swim-up bar. When you need a break from activities, you can rent a private indoor cabana for a nap or enjoy snacks and shopping at nearby retail shops and restaurants.
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Great Wolf Lodge – Scotrun, PA
Great Wolf Lodge Waterpark, located in the Pocono Mountains, is one of the best indoor water parks in NJ and PA for the whole family. The lodge has an all-season waterpark right in the heart of the mountains with a rustic Northwoods theme. This indoor waterpark is packed with fun and lots of splashing activities!
Its kid-friendly attractions include Slap Tail Pond, Fort Mackenzie, Whooping Hollow, Crooked Creek, Chinook Cove, Big Foot Pass, and Cub Paw Pool. If you’re looking for more exciting slides, there are the Hydro Plunge, Double Barrel Drop, Alberta Falls, and Coyote Cannon.
Families can enjoy riding the waves in the zero-depth entry wave pool, floating along the lazy river, and splashing around in the interactive four-story water fort treehouse. Thrill-seekers can experience the excitement of raft rides, tube slides, water roller coasters, and twisting body slides. Adults can enjoy the hot springs in the North and South. Beyond water fun, Great Wolf Lodge offers activities like MagiQuest, an interactive game where kids use magic wands for a magical quest throughout the resort.
The lodge features a variety of suites to fit various budgets and preferences. You can stay in a three-bedroom Woodland Villa that accommodates up to 10 people or choose a Family Fireplace Suite in the Main Lodge, which features a grand lobby and dining options. Other amenities include a mini-golf, gym, restaurants, and a bar.
Whether you’re here for a day trip or a weekend getaway, this large indoor waterpark in PA ensures a convenient and enjoyable stay for families and kids of all ages.
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H2Ooooh! Indoor Water Park at Split Rock Resort – Lake Harmony, PA
H2Oooohh! Indoor Family Water Park at Split Rock Resort is a great spot for individuals who would rather enjoy the snow from a pool than go skiing. It is located on the scenic banks of Lake Harmony, just under five miles from Jack Frost Big Boulder Ski Area.
This 53,326 square feet water park features wonderful water attractions. There are 3 four-story waterslides, an activity pool, a Jungle Play Structure with a dumping bucket, and a wave pool. They also have PA’s first indoor Flow Rider, known as the Komodo Dragon, Leapin’ Lilypads, and Amazon Blast slides, which are four-story drops.
If you want a relaxed experience, you can enjoy the Lava Springs hot tubs. For younger children, there are fun areas like Leapin’ Lizards and Jungle Falls to splash around and explore. You can grab something to eat at the Island Oasis Snack Shack, but remember the 30-minute rule before returning for more fun!
Split Rock Resort offers 2-bedroom suites, luxury lakeside rooms, villas, and cottages, many of which have TVs and kitchens, TVs, fireplaces and balconies. The resort also has an arcade, golf courses, a spa, and wellness facilities for everyone to enjoy. No matter the weather outside, your family can have fun at the indoor water park in Split Rock Resort. The park is only open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during off-peak months, so make sure to check the schedule before you go.
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Pirate’s Cove Indoor Water Park at Conley Resort Butler
Next on this list of the best indoor water parks in NJ and PA is Pirate’s Cove Indoor Waterpark at Conley Resort. If you’re visiting Pennsylvania with kids, you really shouldn’t miss this amazing waterpark. It is a pirate-themed indoor water park featuring two pirate ship water slides splashing into a large and shallow pool. There is also a pool area, hot tub, water cannons, and sauna. The park is a perfect spot for both kids and adults to enjoy part of the day, and the party rooms make it a great choice for a pirate-themed water party! There is a restaurant next to the pool serving freshly prepared food. If you plan to stay overnight, hotel guests get the best deals and discounts when purchasing a ticket to Pirate’s Cove Indoor Waterpark.
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Kalahari Resort – Scotrun, PA
Kalahari Resort is the second largest in North America and one of the top indoor water parks in NJ and PA. It is in the Pocono Mountains, not far from New Jersey. The resort is not just a water park—it’s also a large convention center. The resort has African themes everywhere, which makes it unique and worth visiting. They have an indoor water park, Gorilla Grove Treetop Adventures, and an outdoor pool.
With over 220,000 square feet of water attractions, this indoor water park includes the Coral Cove (a kid-friendly shallow pool), the Flowrider wave simulator, and the Anaconda giant aqua tube. For older children and adults, they have raft rides and speed slides. Try the exciting Victoria Falls slide, test your balance on the Flowrider to practice surfing skills and bodyboarding, or race your kids down the Cheetah Race slide. If you want more fun, take a float in the Lazy River or let the little ones play in Coral Cove. Kalahari always keeps the temperature at 84 degrees, and it feels like a sunny day.
Outside the water, there are other fun things like video games, virtual reality attractions (XD Dark Ride), mini-golf, and more. For adults, there are spas, hot tubs, and swim-up bars where they can relax and enjoy some peaceful moments.
For extra comfort, you can rent a private cabana with a fridge, safe, flat-screen TV, and lounges. Stay in their family-friendly suites, enjoy delicious meals, and sip on tasty cocktails. After a day of water fun, spend the night playing glow-in-the-dark mini-golf, solving escape room challenges, or playing in the big arcade. Kalahari is a must-visit indoor water park if you’re in the area!
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Splash Lagoon Waterpark – Erie, PA
Splash Lagoon Water Park is one of the best indoor water parks in NJ and PA. Whether you want to stay wet or try out dry land adventures, this 80,000-square-foot indoor water park has a tropical Polynesian theme and is fun-packed for the whole family.
If you’re in PA with your kids, you shouldn’t miss it! This indoor park features seven water slides, a four-story Tiki activity tree house, an Aqua Tumbler, lazy rivers, Monkey Shines Island, a Flowrider indoor surf simulator, and a kid’s zone. The park also has a 200,000-gallon wave pool, the biggest in the eastern U.S., and two hot tubs.
One of the main attractions is the upgraded Tree House, featuring colorful water sprayers, a big tipping coconut, and a mini dumping bucket. The Riptide Racers and the Typhoon Twister are the most recent slides that the older kids will love, too.
Even if you want to take a break from the water, there’s still much to do. There is a 6,500-square-foot arcade with more than 100 games and a treetop ropes course. You can also enjoy food and fun at The Laguna Grill, Hooch & Blotto’s Sports Bar & Grill, Tiki Bar, and The Island Oasis. Enjoy the tropical fun and create lasting memories at Splash Lagoon!
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Best Outdoor Water Parks in NJ and PA
Besides indoor water parks, NJ and PA are home to some of the best outdoor parks in the state, including Crystal Springs Family Water Park, Ocean City Water Park, Diggerland’s The Water Main Water Park, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, and many others.
Crystal Springs Family Waterpark – East Brunswick, NJ
Crystal Springs Family Waterpark was one of the earliest outdoor water parks in New Jersey. It provides enjoyable and safe water activities for everyone in the family. The park includes different attractions like a lap pool, recreational pool, kiddie pool, lazy river, spray park, family pool, activity pool, and water slides. Besides water fun, there is a concession stand where you can buy food and pool essentials like goggles and sunscreen.
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Hershey Park at Hershey Lodge – Hershey, PA
The Boardwalk is a wonderful addition to Hershey Water Park. It is an outdoor water park that is fun for everyone. From the calm Intercoastal Waterway to the thrilling Tidal Force, the world’s highest water slide, there’s something for the entire family.
Kids can have a great time at the Bayside Pier, a shallow wave pool with tipping cones, rolling waves, and fountains. The Huge East Coast Waterworks is an exciting ride with seven slides, two crawl tunnels, and 600 interactive toys, all in 54,000 gallons of water. The Waverider is a challenging surf ride with twists and speed. Plus point, they offer life jackets and towels for your convenience. There is a lot to enjoy at Hershey Water Park!
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Final Thoughts
Are you ready for a splashing good time for the whole family? These indoor water parks in NJ and PA will give you a great time without worrying about the weather. They are open all year, making them perfect for both summer and winter enjoyment.
If you haven’t been to an indoor water park lately, you should try it. They are truly worth visiting. You’ll find plenty of fun and surprises at any of these parks in NJ and PA. Whether you’re going down exciting water slides, floating in lazy rivers, or playing in fun areas, these indoor water parks in NJ and PA have fun for all.
Pack your swimsuit, grab your towel, and get ready for an unforgettable aquatic adventure in the heart of the East Coast! Have a fantastic splashing time with your family, whether it’s summer or winter!
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