Park choices abound, too. You can test your courage (and beat the summer heat) at seasonal parks, or enjoy year-round fun at sprawling indoor complexes . Including favorites like Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park and the soon-to-debut beachfront Island Waterpark in Atlantic City, these 18 top water parks in the U.S. offer thrills and fun for all ages.
Water parks have come a long way over the years, with meandering lazy rivers and basic water slides now joined by record-breaking water coasters , thrilling rivers with simulated, rushing rapids, and slides that defy belief, plunging down multiple stories.
01
of 18
Schlitterbahn: New Braunfels, Texas
Courtesy of Schlitterbahn Water Park
Everything is bigger in Texas, so it's fitting that the flagship location of Schlitterbahn is there, and it is home to the largest collection of water rides in the world, all powered by natural spring water from the Comal River. This award-winning park is known for offering the first-ever uphill water coaster, the world’s first "not-so-lazy" wave river, and the world’s longest tubing river. It also has four different themed areas, each with its own swim-up bar, plus on-site resort accommodations. A staggering $5 million renovation will ensure it remains one of the world’s very best water parks.
02
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Universal’s Volcano Bay: Orlando, Florida
Courtesy of Universal Studios
After exploring The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, there’s no better way to soak up the Florida sun than a day at Universal’s Volcano Bay. The South Pacific-themed water park is unlike anything else out there, embracing a resort-like feel with lush vegetation, sandy beaches, and winding walking paths. A towering 200-foot volcano is the setting for a scream-inducing drop slide. Those seeking a gastronomical thrill can enjoy inspired bites from gourmet beachside eateries that will have you completely forgetting you’re at a theme park.
03
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The Boardwalk at Hersheypark: Hershey, Pennsylvania
Courtesy of Hershey Park
Hersheypark draws candy fans to the hills of Pennsylvania, and its thrilling coasters are a treat, too. When the summer heat arrives, park goers head to The Boardwalk. Included with park admission, the expansive water park includes 15 attractions, among them the g-force reaching water/roller coaster hybrid ride called Breakers Edge. For something a bit more chill, hang out at The Shore, a zero-entry 378,000-gallon wave pool. With more than 10 on-site dining destinations and three affiliated resorts nearby, the park is a true stay-and-play haven.
04
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Noah’s Ark Waterpark: Lake Delton, Wisconsin
Courtesy of Noah's Ark Water Park
Touted as the “water park capital of the world,” the Wisconsin Dells welcomes thousands of families each year, from the Midwest and beyond. Noah’s Ark Waterpark stands out as a fan favorite, delighting guests since its seasonal operations began in 1979 — and it currently stands as the largest outdoor waterpark in the country. Attractions include oceanic wave pools, lazy rivers, and a whopping 51 slides. Don't miss Raja, a heart-pumping tube slide with a 37-foot drop as its climatic finish.
05
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Knott’s Soak City: Buena Park, California
Allen J. Schaben/Getty Images
Knott’s Soak City, located across from one of the oldest theme parks in the country, offers water thrills just minutes from Los Angeles. The 15-acre park entertains with over 20 tube, speed, and body slides, including a family raft attraction called The Wedge. A 750,000-gallon wave pool is the perfect place to cool down, and guests of all ages will love the Beach House, a three-story interactive water playground.
06
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Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon: Lake Buena Vista, Florida
Courtesy of Disney World
A prime example of Disney's excellent storytelling, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park brings to life a tropical oasis destroyed by a typhoon, complete with a ship wrecked atop a volcanic mountain. Known as Miss Tilly, the ship looms above North America’s largest wave pool, and the simulated mountain is also a massive geyser that erupts every half hour. For more adventure, ride Miss Adventure Falls, a family-friendly raft attraction, then take a break to enjoy a refreshing, swirly Dole Whip.
07
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Disney’s Blizzard Beach: Lake Buena Vista, Florida
Courtesy of Disney World
Disney’s Blizzard Beach is uniquely themed to resemble a wintery wonderland that just so happens to be smack dab in the middle of Florida. Cleverly blending colorful Caribbean flair with elements of a ski resort, the park features a slew of both family-friendly attractions and those designed especially for thrill seekers. Summit Plummet beckons the most daring of guests to the top of Mount Gushmore, from which they can soar down one of the tallest and fastest free-fall body slides in the world. The youngest park goers might instead opt for the newly upgraded playscape Tike's Peak. Inspired by the film "Frozen," expect polar-themed slides for tots that are watched over by Olaf and his adorable Snowgie pals.
08
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Dollywood’s Splash Country: Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Courtesy of Dollywood
Set in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains and oozing Southern hospitality, Dollywood’s Splash Country was inspired by the very mountain watering holes that Dolly Parton visited as a child growing up in the region. There’s something for every park goer here, including water coaster RiverRush and The Cascades, an interactive, 8,000-square-foot lagoon pool. The latter attraction is the ultimate retreat for kids and parents alike, offering geysers, water jets, a waterfall, and plenty of shady seating.
09
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Legoland California Water Park: Carlsbad, California
Courtesy of Legoland
Everything is awesome in Legoland California Water Park, where you can float and play alongside the brand's beloved bricks. Splish, splash, and soak at the park's sandy beaches, on seven water slides, and a unique build-a-raft river where guests create their own Lego float before heading downstream. Two on-site resorts — Legoland Hotel and Legoland Castle Hotel — are just steps away, making overnight trips or longer stays easy and breezy.
10
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Carolina Harbor: Charlotte, North Carolina
Courtesy of Carolina Harbor
Theme park Carowinds celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, and its water park, Carolina Harbor, is the ultimate place to beat the Carolina heat. Water-filled fun includes interactive, multi-level play structures, plus slides and the longest mat-racing attraction in the region, Boogie Board Racer. One of two wave pools, Surf Club Harbor uses generators to produce waves up to six feet tall. It features interactive water geysers as well.
11
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DreamWorks Water Park: East Rutherford, New Jersey
Gary Hershorn/Getty Images
In the shadows of Manhattan, you can swim the day away year round at the indoor DreamWorks Water Park. Set inside the American Dream Mall, the park's centerpiece is a gigantic wave pool surrounded by 15 slides and a play structure inspired by the film "Kung Fu Panda." Appearances by DreamWorks characters like Shrek are part of the fun, too. Added bonus: It's a perfect 81 degrees in here, 365 days a year.
12
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White Water: Branson, Missouri
Courtesy of Silver Dollar City White Water
Visitors to the Silver Dollar City amusement park can find welcome respite — or thrilling adventure — at White Water, its sister property located just down the road. The centerpiece of the park is a 500,000-gallon wave pool, great for just hanging and splashing around. Those looking to continue the thrills can slip and slide across the park’s 13 acres of fun. The bravest guests might tackle KaPau Plummet, two dueling 245-foot drop slides that feature a 70-degree, 40-foot plunge.
13
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Cowabunga Bay Water Park: Henderson, Nevada
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Families heading to Las Vegas may love a water park pit stop, especially when the summer heat sizzles over 100 degrees. Cowabunga Bay Water Park, a seasonal hotspot in Henderson, embraces a 1960s retro theme. Mountains loom in the distance as guests enjoy spacious beaches, the large wave pool, and nine water slides, including a pitch-black waterslide dubbed Point Panic.
14
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Aquatica: San Antonio, Texas
Jane Wooldridge/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images
Aquatica is a tropical paradise that offers something a little different than the standard water park, as a few attractions allow guests to get up close and personal with sea animals. Riders on raft attraction Stingray Falls travel through an underwater grotto, where they'll see tropical fish and stingrays. If you're with little ones, enjoy the newly upgraded, 3,000-square-foot play area called Kata’s Kookaburra Cove, which is surrounded by whimsical sea creatures. There's a stingray encounter in the park, too.
15
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Sesame Place San Diego: Chula Vista, California
Courtesy of Sesame Place San Diego
Set in a former location of Aquatica that's been completely reimagined, Sesame Place San Diego is a hybrid water park and theme park with plenty to do for the littlest guests. After greeting Elmo and Cookie Monster, the entire family can enjoy body and tube slides, Big Bird’s Rambling River, The Count’s Splash Castle, a Cookie Monster-themed family raft attraction, and a family-friendly wave pool at Big Bird’s Beach.
16
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The Lost Island Water Park: Waterloo, Iowa
This kid-friendly water park may be set in Iowa’s vast cornfields, but it draws inspiration from faraway lands, and aims to transport guests to Polynesia. Opened in 2022, The Lost Island Water Park is an oasis lined with swaying palm trees and more than 20 slides and rides, with an instant favorite being the Wailua Kupua, a hydromagnetic water coaster that’s one of only several in the world.
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Island Waterpark: Atlantic City, New Jersey
When Atlantic City’s Island Waterpark opens this summer at the historic Showboat Resort, it will introduce thrill seekers and families alike to the world’s largest beachfront water park, occupying more than 100,000 square feet of space that’s topped by a retractable roof, allowing for year-round fun. The treasures of this island-themed park are sure to be the 11,000-foot lazy river and a 1,000-foot “cloud coaster” that will offer jaw-dropping panoramic views of the boardwalk and ocean.
18
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Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari: Santa Claus, Indiana
Guests visiting the award-winning Holiday World can take advantage of its on-site water park, Splashin’ Safari. Included with admission, the water park is home to two water coasters, Wildebeest and Mammoth, that hold the record for longest in the world, and a third ride, Cheetah Chase, is the world’s first launched water coaster.
Not the Disney Parks.
From Zackiel Marsh
Posted September 3, 2011 at 12:35 AM
We might go to a Florida water park for Labor Day weekend and have been wondering which one to go to. We want something relaxing but has good rides.
From Andrew Mooney
Posted September 3, 2011 at 8:02 AM
I would have to agree with Dominick that Aquatica is the best for your conditions.
From TH Creative
Posted September 3, 2011 at 11:26 AM
Typhoon Lagoon is the best waterpark in Central Florida. Period. The wave pool blows away anything at Aquatica. And the great thing about the wave pool is that you can jump in (noline). The lazy river is gorgeous (caves and waterfalls). You use the word "relax". Typhoon Lagoon takes you away to a tropical island. Look up toward the eastern sky at Aquatica and you see electrical towers and power lines.
This is a no brainer.
From Manny Rodriguez
Posted September 3, 2011 at 11:40 AM
Besides the Disney water parks wet and wild is a must see
From Tyler Bell
Posted September 3, 2011 at 5:54 PM
Aquatica
From duncan henny
Posted September 4, 2011 at 9:35 AM
i love wet and wild still to do aquatica :)
From Anthony Murphy
Posted September 4, 2011 at 7:56 PM
Blizzard Beach! ( I know he wanted non Disney, but theirs are the best)
From Tim W
Posted September 4, 2011 at 8:39 PM
I gotta agree with TH. It has to be Typhoon Lagoon. There is nothing that compares to the wave pool and the Crush n Gusher. Blizzard Beach is still fun, but a bit more overcrowded and "commerical" than Typhoon Lagoon.
From Andy Stevens
Posted September 5, 2011 at 2:31 AM
I also have to agree with TH and TW. Typhoon Lagoon is by far the best. As has been said, there's no sign of power lines or other urban paraphernalia.The queues for the attractions move quickly, (Queues really let down Blizzard Beach) and the wave pool is simply the best. If you're a reasonable swimmer, swimming out to deeper water and waiting for the big wave is just magic.
From Lauren Hayhurst
Posted September 5, 2011 at 2:52 AM
Typhoon Lagoon all the way. It's a long-standing favourite in our family and never disappoints.
From Andrew Mooney
Posted September 5, 2011 at 5:23 AM
If we're looking at any Central Florida park then Typhoon Lagoon is the best, heck in my opinion it's the best water park in the world. The quality of rides are amazing and I love the theming of the park, everything gels perfectly together. On the other hand, Aquatica lacks a certain quality and theme but Zackiel specifically mentioned no Disney parks, therefore it's the next best thing.
From Lauren Hayhurst
Posted September 5, 2011 at 7:26 AM
What about Wet and Wild? Is that still competing with the other parks? I've never been but always wanted to. Is it worth it?
From chris cona
Posted September 5, 2011 at 6:48 PM
I'm actually not going to lie I have been to Wet & Wild this summer. It was actually suprising nice and has great!!! rides. We had to go to Wet and Wild for 8 hours bc the bus only came once so we figured we take a cab home bc that's really long but we spent every second and would of wished we could of stayed to closing. It's also clean and pavement isn't that hot when you walk on it defently worth the money for the thrills.
From Neil Basabe
Posted September 11, 2011 at 6:33 AM
I know is late for Labor Day, but wanted to give my opinion. Well, I haven't been in Aquatica yet. But had been in Wet and Wild, TL and BB. W and W is for family with teenagers to enjoy all the rides. Very well organized and good food. TL is for all the family specially children, is nice but after 3 hours you want to go. BB is my least favorite. I intend to go to Aquatica, but with the comments here I'm in doubt.
Tell us where you went!!
From Giovanny Cruz
Posted September 11, 2011 at 8:12 AM
For the family the best option is acuatica.If you are looking for thrilling rides the best option is wet and wild.And if youre looking for both the best option is blizzard beach.
From Jason Jackson
Posted September 12, 2011 at 5:21 PM
I prefer Aquatica!
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