If you’re like me, you’re mourning the hot weather and want to get back in the water. Tis the season for indoor water parks. There are plenty around.
As a mother of a toddler, I know the things I look for in a water park are specific to my daughter’s age. I want her to be able to splash around without getting too close to really deep water. She likes slides that aren’t too big. Right now one that is about four feet off the ground means we are both happy. I don’t like slides that are covered because I can’t go down it with her.
The first indoor waterpark I took my daughter to in Brooklyn Center (Grand Rios at the Ramada) has been shut down after someone drowned on one of the big slides. This would be a good place to remind folks that if you don’t know how to swim, a waterpark might not be the best place for you. Consider swim lessons first, and use lifejackets and close supervision for the small ones. (The best lifejacket out there is a puddlejumper for kids. Gives them so much confidence.)
Last winter, we swam several times at Lifetime Fitness pools. Most of them are pretty basic (the St. Louis Park one has a saltwater pool!), but they serve the purpose of getting wet and exercising a bit. Plus, when you get out, you can head straight to the hot tub. Ah. So relaxing. Maybe I should be writing a list of best hot tubs...
Here are two indoor waterparks I recommend:
• Maple Grove Community Center, The Grove Cove
This pool with fun features is shared with the adjacent Lifetime Fitness. There are several areas: a lap pool that’s seperate from the others, and another that starts with zero entry and eventually becomes a deep pool. A waterslide empties into that area. I’ve hard that the outside pool is fun in the summer, but alas, we didn’t make it there this year. (Summers are just too short!)
• Chaos Water Park, Eau Claire, Wis.
Looking for an overnight trip? Eau Claire only an hour or so from the Twin Cities; it’s just far enough that you’ll feel like you’re leaving town but you won’t have to hear too many “Are we there yets?!” I have to confess I was more enamoured of the hotel rooms than the water park. They are just so cool! It’s a brand new hotel and it’s very stylish without being overdone. (But they don’t have mini-fridges in the rooms. Bummer.) There are numerous room/waterpark packages, but mostly just for families of four. It didn’t do my family of three much good. I thought the waterpark area could have been better designed. There was very little for the ones under three to do. I’m not a fan of covered slides because I can’t go down them with my kid, and that’s all they had. They have three big slides — which were tons of fun for the older kids and adults. We were on the lazy river a lot. And that was about it. You won’t want to stay longer than one night, but you’re sure to enjoy yourself.
RELATED POST: Get wet - indoor water parks
As a mother of a toddler, I know the things I look for in a water park are specific to my daughter’s age. I want her to be able to splash around without getting too close to really deep water. She likes slides that aren’t too big. Right now one that is about four feet off the ground means we are both happy. I don’t like slides that are covered because I can’t go down it with her.
The first indoor waterpark I took my daughter to in Brooklyn Center (Grand Rios at the Ramada) has been shut down after someone drowned on one of the big slides. This would be a good place to remind folks that if you don’t know how to swim, a waterpark might not be the best place for you. Consider swim lessons first, and use lifejackets and close supervision for the small ones. (The best lifejacket out there is a puddlejumper for kids. Gives them so much confidence.)
Last winter, we swam several times at Lifetime Fitness pools. Most of them are pretty basic (the St. Louis Park one has a saltwater pool!), but they serve the purpose of getting wet and exercising a bit. Plus, when you get out, you can head straight to the hot tub. Ah. So relaxing. Maybe I should be writing a list of best hot tubs...
Here are two indoor waterparks I recommend:
- For more information, browse http://www.ci.maple-grove.mn.us/content/149/305/default.aspx
This pool with fun features is shared with the adjacent Lifetime Fitness. There are several areas: a lap pool that’s seperate from the others, and another that starts with zero entry and eventually becomes a deep pool. A waterslide empties into that area. I’ve hard that the outside pool is fun in the summer, but alas, we didn’t make it there this year. (Summers are just too short!)
- This is pretty much all the little girls had to play on.
- The place definitely LOOKS cool!
- I loved the decor. The hotel rooms were great. Nothing ugly here.
• Chaos Water Park, Eau Claire, Wis.
Looking for an overnight trip? Eau Claire only an hour or so from the Twin Cities; it’s just far enough that you’ll feel like you’re leaving town but you won’t have to hear too many “Are we there yets?!” I have to confess I was more enamoured of the hotel rooms than the water park. They are just so cool! It’s a brand new hotel and it’s very stylish without being overdone. (But they don’t have mini-fridges in the rooms. Bummer.) There are numerous room/waterpark packages, but mostly just for families of four. It didn’t do my family of three much good. I thought the waterpark area could have been better designed. There was very little for the ones under three to do. I’m not a fan of covered slides because I can’t go down them with my kid, and that’s all they had. They have three big slides — which were tons of fun for the older kids and adults. We were on the lazy river a lot. And that was about it. You won’t want to stay longer than one night, but you’re sure to enjoy yourself.
- This is what the way home looks like.
Thanks for this useful post. I have a four year old son and we like to travel during the winter. We are always looking for Hotels with Indoor Water Parks to stay at so he has something to do. I will have to keep these in mind if we ever travel that way.
ReplyDeleteGlad you found this useful, Kelly! Any other water parks you've discovered that are gems?
ReplyDeleteNothing that sticks out or where I would want to go back to. I'm trying to convince the hubby to go to Myrtle Beach in the summer though.
ReplyDeleteTry shoreview community center tropics indoor water park. You might find this has stuff for little ones to enjoy
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip, Jeni! I've been meaning to check that one out for awhile now. Maybe we should bring the kids next time there's a day off school.
ReplyDelete