Whether you like your aquatic action undercover or in the open-air, Ohio is blessed with an assortment of both indoor and outdoor waterparks promising hours of fun.
(Photo: Great Wolf Lodge)
Large and diverse, the midwestern state packs a punch with its cosmopolitan atmosphere, small-town retreats, and opportunities for full-on escapes into nature. The warm, humid summers here can be a touch repressive, while offering the perfect excuse for cooling off at an outdoor waterpark, But those seeking shade don’t need to miss out on the excitement either, with many indoor parks dotted across the state too. Here are five of the best of both.
Great Wolf Lodge
Set within the Great Wolf Lodge resort in Mason is one of America’s largest indoor water parks, featuring more than a football field’s worth of exhilerating indoor aquatic fun. With water slides, pools, interactive play zones, water toys and more, there’s something for guests of every age and level of daring to enjoy. Highlights include a four-storey water fort tree house, a wave pool, a lazy river, and a tandem tube ride. There’s also an adults-only hot tub to sink into while the kids get wet and wild.
2501 Great Wolf Drive, Mason
Groupon currently offer discounts of up to 48% at this resort and waterpark. They also offer reductions for many other Ohio waterparks. Check Groupon.com.
Zoombezi Bay
(Photo: Zoombezi Bay)
This 22-acre outdoor water park is located within Columbus Zoo, with day passes for Zoombezi also including admission to the zoo. The water park itself features 17 major water slides and several other thrilling rides. Among the most popular are the Python Plunge watercoaster, and the Cyclone, a four-person raft that cruises into the world’s largest enclosed reducing-radius tunnel. Visitors can also hire a private cabana and enjoy snacks, lunch or a cool drink – or even a cocktail – between rides.
Columbus Zoo & Aquarium, 4850 Powell Road, Powell
The Kalahari
Another huge indoor water park, The Kalahari in Sandusky is a vast emporium dedicated to all things water-based and fun. Part of a popular guest resort, every imaginable type of water slide and ride can be found here, including two surfing simulator rides, a water coaster, a lazy river, a bowl ride, a wave pool, body and tube slides, raft rides, a mat-racing slide, an interactive water play structure, activity pools, and whirlpool saunas. Day passes are available for non-resort guests.
7000 Kalahari Drive, Sandusky
Castaway Bay
(Photo: Castaway Bay)
The Caribbean comes to Sandusky at this huge resort destination, where guests are welcomed by a group of colourful island animals. The resort’s centrepiece is the 38,000-square-foot enclosed waterpark with a five-story structure featuring a vaulted wood ceiling that covers a natural setting of palm trees, huts, inland lagoons, and plenty of water-based adventure. Brimming with everything from the thrilling plunges and twists of the Air Racer Rally to the splashing fun of the Fernando’s Tadpole Pool, there’s something for everyone.
2001 Cleveland Road West, Sandusky
The Watering Hole
Family owned and locally operated, Port Clinton’s only waterpark is home to a huge array of fun-packed rides and memorable attractions. There’s the Adventure Island Tree House with four slides, the three story Slide Towers, a Lazy River, several heated pools, and adrenaline-fuelled tubing on the Coral Reef River Ride. Afterwards, visitors can head to the petting zoo located on the same site, traverse the drive-through safari, or try their hand at go-karting.
1530 South Danbury Road, Port Clinton