No matter the temperature outdoors, put on a swimsuit and get wet and wild this winter at these awesome resorts whose indoor waterparks make a visit about a whole lot more than a place to lay your head.
Photo courtesy of Crown Reef Beach Resort and Waterpark
Crown Reef Beach Resort & Waterpark | Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
When the weather gets a little too cool for comfort in South Carolina, this Myrtle Beach hotel and waterpark encloses so the fun can continue throughout the winter months. Entirely renovated in 2014, the waterpark features two, four-story waterslides, including an Explosion slide that releases 2,500 gallons of water per minute. There's also a smaller kiddie-size slide, as well as a Silly Sub play area and plenty of hot tubs. Most of the hotel's more than 500 rooms offer ocean views along with mini-kitchens for easy in-room snacks and food prep.
Zehnder's Splash Village Hotel & Waterpark — Photo courtesy of Photos provided by Frankenmuth Convention & Visitors Bureau
Zehnder’s Splash Village Hotel & Waterpark Frankenmuth, Michigan
In the charming German-style village of Frankenmuth, Michigan, is a world of water at Zehnder's Splash Village. The 50,000-square-foot facility is home to a variety of waterslides, including a six-story family raft ride, super loop body slide and several four-story tube slides. Play a wet rendition of basketball and volleyball, head to the zero-entry activity pool with geysers, cruise along Action River or kick back in the Whimsical Whirl hot tub. Lifeguards are always on duty at this waterpark, and they even offer accommodations with a waterpark view.
Mt. Olympus Water Park — Photo courtesy of Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau
Mt. Olympus Water Park & Theme Park Resort | Wisconsin Dells
Guests can take their pick of waterslides up to 10 stories tall at this indoor water oasis in the Wisconsin Dells. The Mt. Olympus Water Park offers both tube and body slides, along with a ship-themed play area, the world's fastest lazy river, hot tub, whirlpool and swimming pool. Head back to the Hotel Rome decorated in Greco-Roman style to collapse into bed after a long day of playing poolside.
Splash-A-Torium — Photo courtesy of Welk Resort, Branson
Welk Resorts | Branson, Missouri
The Splash-A-Torium at Welk Resorts Branson, which is nestled in the Ozark mountains of Missouri, offers plenty of opportunities to splash and be splashed all year round. Step inside this water playground to find a 100-foot indoor water slide, indoor/outdoor pool, large indoor/outdoor hot tub and "Splash Zone" play area. If you have any energy left, enjoy a show at the resort's Branson Theatre, featuring well-known entertainment acts throughout the year.
Cascades Indoor Waterpark — Photo courtesy of Greek Peak Mountain Resort
Cascades Indoor Waterpark at Greek Peak Mountain Resort | Cortland, New York
Located in the beautiful Finger Lake region of New York State, Greek Peak Mountain Resort lets visitors ski by day and enjoy water-filled adventures in their off time. While snow falls outdoors, it's a balmy 84 degrees inside the resort's Cascades Indoor Waterpark. Experience the ocean in wave pools, ride down three enclosed slides and try basketball in a water-filled cove. There's also a heated outdoor pool and indoor/outdoor hot springs with hydrotherapy jets perfect for relaxing tired ski muscles.
Photo courtesy of Big Splash Adventure Resort & Water Park, French Lick
Big Splash Adventure Water Park & Resort | French Lick, Indiana
Find countless ways to get wet at this 40,000 square foot facility in southern Indiana from body and tube slides to pools, play areas and more. Be careful in the Lost Treasure Lagoon, which features a circular current called the "vortex," and don't miss Silver Beard's Revenge where riders are thrust into a large bowl where inner tubes spiral toward the center. There's even a hot tub area just for adults. Choose from rooms and suites, some with custom bunk beds, each come with a full hot breakfast each day.
Great Wolf Lodge, Wisconsin Dells — Photo courtesy of Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau
Great Wolf Lodge | Wisconsin Dells
Probably the best known of waterpark resorts is Great Wolf Lodge with locations across the country. Like the others, the Wisconsin Dells location offers no shortage of water-logged activity. Choose from multiple hot tubs, pools, slides and play areas. Be sure to ride the six-story Howlin' Tornado funnel, climb to Fort Mackenzie tree house and escape on a waterslide, and race a pal on the four-story mat slide. Choose from standard, themed or premium suites, some of which come with their own mini log cabin with bunk beds, when the fam is ready to crash after a long day of activity.
Avalanche Bay — Photo courtesy of Boyne Mountain Resort
Boyne Mountain Resort | Boyne Falls, Michigan
Michigan's largest indoor waterpark is inside the bounds of Boyne Mountain Resort, which has some of the state's best skiing. While there's plenty of powder fun out of doors, inside is 88,000 square feet of adventure in water heated to 84 degrees. There are six waterslides, including The Big Couloir, which claims the steepest drop in the industry complete with trap door and 38 feet-per-second acceleration. Hang ten in the surfing simulator, cruise the park on the lazy river and try to survive the 800-gallon water avalanche at the Splasherhorn.
ABQ Surf N' Slide Waterpark — Photo courtesy of Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau, Hotel Cascada
Hotel Cascada | Albuquerque, New Mexico
The home to New Mexico's only indoor waterpark, Hotel Cascada is an upscale Albuquerque hotel located in the heart of the city. At its ABQ Surf N' Slide Waterpark, guests can ride waves on the FlowRider, which pumps 32,000 gallons of water every minute. There are two waterslides and 26 different water features, ranging from waterfalls and buckets to a lazy river and indoor/outdoor spa. Ready to dry off? Spread a towel at the beach area with chaise lounges and then grab a meal at the on-site sports grill.
Photo courtesy of Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, Pocono Mountains
Kalahari Resorts & Conventions | Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania
The waterpark at the Kalahari African-themed resort in the Pocono Mountains is a whopping 100,000 square feet and has a retractable roof so guests can swim in the open air during warmer days. The youngest family members can splash around Tiko's Watering Hole with kiddie-size slides and lazy river. The adults and older kids can speed down the Anaconda water rollercoaster with drops, climbs and sharp turns or experience zero-g oscillations on the Wild Wildebeest ride. There's even an option to rent a private indoor cabana as a central resting spot in the midst of the excitement.