Near
Splash Time
Just off 15 Mile and Van Dyke in Sterling Heights, the Wyndham Garden has more than hotel rooms. Namely: a 32,000-square-foot indoor water escape, complete with a three-story slide, two whirlpools, a lazy river and splash play park.
“We try to be a one-stop shop,” says sales director LaParise Elerson. “Families can make a staycation out of their visit. It’s something fun for kids that’s close to home and close to everything they might need, like shopping and restaurants.”
Entrance is limited to hotel guests (and weekend birthday parties) to ensure no one is crowded out of their trip down the waterslide.
To make the most of your stay, check in right at 3 p.m. While checkout is at 11 a.m. the following day, guests can stay in the water park until 2 p.m.
A few other tips? “Look for a lodging package that includes breakfast at the Loon River Café,” Elerson suggests. You also don’t want to miss the arcade area – it’s the perfect place to take a break from the pool.
Dive on in! Ask about family deals/discounts.
Far
Thrill Rides
Whirling around the vortex known as the Tanzanian Twister, it’s hard not to let out a scream or two as you plunge into the water below. Not far from the border in Sandusky, Ohio, Kalahari is the largest indoor water park in the country.
Besides roller coaster-inspired water rides, there are slightly calmer waters for younger kiddos like the lazy river and the wave pool. For somewhere warm but close enough for a quick weekend away, Kalahari delivers lodging and dining alongside the goose bump-inducing water rides.
“Everything is under one roof,” notes Kristann Weber, marketing manager for Kalahari Resorts. “It’s the perfect spot for the whole family.”
Farther
Indoor Wilderness
There’s no need to go to the ocean to enjoy the surf – even on a snowy day. Next to Sandusky, Wisconsin Dells is the country’s biggest water park haven. And the largest option in the Dells is The Wilderness Resort, with three properties and four indoor water parks on 600 acres. It’s home to the country’s largest indoor wave pool, the Great Wave, complete with a giant glass ceiling.
