The 16 Best Water Parks Near NYC

Heat wave 2012 is here! Is it warm enough outside for ya? If your fam is feeling a bit overheated, take to the slides, thrills, and spills of some nearby water parks.

Water Slide World
Splash your heart out at Water Slide World in Lake George, NY, where there are 2 kid-friendly play areas for youngsters and plenty of thrilling adventures for adrenaline-seekers. This park is particularly accommodating to little ones, so no one will be left on the sidelines. Enjoy 12 curling slides, play volleyball, or float in the sun—no matter how you and your family play, everyone will have a splashing good time.

Zoom Flume Water Park
Zoom Flume Water Park is a drenched getaway set in the scenic Catskill Mountains that is sure to be a hit with the whole family. Daring visitors can explore twisting water slides like the “Black Vortex,” a pitch-black tube which takes you for an unpredictable thrill ride. For pint-sized visitors, the park has a playful “Lagoon Activity Pool” and relaxing Lazy River. Located about 2 hours from the city, the park could make for a fun day trip or a weekend escape.

Mountain Creek Waterpark
Sitting at the top of a mountain in Vernon, NJ, you’ll find a winter ski resort turned warm-weather waterpark at Mountain Creek. The adventure-seeker will find plenty to do: jump off a cliff, swing among the trees and free-fall into the water, or plummet 99-feet on the H2-Oh-No’s vertical drop. Tamer guests can try the River Runner Slide or the Junior Rapids–both great for the timid rider. For those who would prefer to sit and watch, you can splurge on a cabana for around $100–fully equipped with Wi-Fi and shade.

Great Wolf Lodge
Great Wolf Lodge is the perfect water park for not-so-perfect weather. Nestled in the Pocono Mountains, this constantly 84-degree indoor water park features the one-of-a-kind Hydro Plunge, a water ride-roller coaster hybrid on a motorized track that plunges you down a 52-foot vertical drop. All 79,000 square feet of the park are chock full of exciting slides and rides as well as zero-depth entry pools and toddler-sized entertainment for the kiddies. You can even indulge your prim princess at the Scooops Kid Spa, where she can get a delicious flavored manicure or facial.

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor
Six Flags Great Adventure may be known best for its gut-wrenching roller coasters, but on a hot summer day the water park next door, Hurricane Harbor, may be your best bet for thrills and spills! The water park has everything from fast action adventure rides to an expansive kiddie area. Don’t want to spend the whole day in the water? Your options are open, because this place is wedged near two other fun-filled theme parks!

Tomahawk Lake
Become one with nature at Tomahawk Lake Waterpark, where you can rent swan boats, paddle boats, or bumper boats on the beautiful 20-acre lake. Try the 503-foot tube ride “The Black Snake” or the 610-foot Mammouth Flume Raft Ride, and bring the young kids to explore Papoose Land, where they can climb a giant turtle or frog, go down mini-water slides, and paddle in kiddie canoes and bumper boats. Children can enjoy some variety with miniature golf or softball, and parents can relax to live music in the beer garden every weekend.

Dorney Park’s Wildwater Kingdom
Less than two hours from Manhattan you’ll find Dorney Park’s Wildwater Kingdom. With an assortment of over 36 water slides, wavepools, lazy rivers, and kids’ play areas, there is something for each member of your family to enjoy at this water park. Plus, one ticket gives you admission to both Dorney Park Amusement Park and Wild Water Kingdom for the best of both worlds!

Land of Make Believe
If a full day at the water park seems like too much for your little one, consider the Land of Make Believe in Hope, NJ. With the charm of a county fair and the attractions of a major water park, this place has it all. Visit America’s largest wading pool, let the kids play on a life-size pirate ship, float down the pirate-themed lazy river, and check out one of the 40-foot high water slides. When you’re done with the water works you can head over to the dry rides, meet a talking scarecrow, visit Old McDonald’s farm, or settle down at the picnic area for lunch.

Splish Splash
Complete with a brand new, body-surfing wave-pool boasting 4-foot waves, Splish Splash in Riverhead, Long Island, has become a destination water park for city slickers and beyond. Attractions like Dr. Von Dark’s Tunnel of Terror and the Giant Twister are perfect for excitement-seeking older children and adults. For the little ones, “my-size” slides and pools at the Kiddie Cove are also available.

Splash Zone
Make your trip to the Jersey Shore complete with a day at Splash Zone Waterpark, located right on the famous boardwalk in Wildwood, NJ. Take in the sights and sounds of the boardwalk as you float down Rivy’s River, or opt for a walk on the wild side with the 5-person whitewater raft ride, The Beast of the East.

Sahara Sam’s Oasis
With unique attractions like an indoor surfing simulator, a water obstacle course, and Sam’s Slamdunker–a pool designed to shoot hoops in–Sahara Sam’s Oasis Indoor Water Park in West Berlin, NJ, has something for everyone. The park also features a relaxing lazy river, freestanding water tree fort, tube slides, raft rides, and the toddler-friendly Lizard Lagoon.

Camelbeach
Camelbeach Mountain Waterpark, located in Tannersville, PA, is a water-lover’s dream, as slides, pools and rides abound. For a relaxing start, you can grab a lounge chair and enjoy a picturesque view of the Pocono Mountains from the Olympic-sized pool. Kids and adults can play together at Pharaoh’s Fortress and Camel Cove, this park’s 2 family interactive play structures. Finally, pick up the pace on Camelbeach’s Checkered Flag Challenge and Triple Venom Speed Slides, go on an adventure down the Blue Nile River, or get caught spinning in the park’s 2 bowl slides.

Water Safari
Visit New York’s largest water theme park in Old Forge at Enchanted Forest Water Safari, where you’ll find over 50 rides and attractions for the whole family. Race friends and the fam on Serengeti Surf Hill, take a half-mile journey on the not-so-lazy river, Log Jammer, and let the little ones in on the fun at Pygmy Pond. When you’ve had enough of the water for the day, dry off on the amusement rides or while watching the 2012 Family Circus Show.

Lake Compounce
Experience 2 parks in one at Lake Compounce in Bristol, CT. Spend the day choosing between the thrills of the park’s water rides, including three twist-and-turn tube slides, a lazy river, and a wave pool, and classic amusement rides, spanning from roller coasters and bumper cars to an antique carousel.

CoCo Key Water Resort
If you’re on your way to Philly (for any reason!) you don’t want to miss the indoor CoCo Key Water Resort at The Hotel ML in Mount Laurel, NJ. Children of all ages can enjoy Parrot’s Perch, a multi-level interactive play island with slides, water cannons and water-dumping buckets. For smaller swimmers, there’s the Dip-In Theater Pool with both Baby Slides and a Baby Bungee. And, for anyone with pruney fingers, the Key Quest Arcade promises state-of-the-art video games alongside tried-and-true classics. At the end of the day, parents can recover from the excitement at the indoor/outdoor spa.

SplashDown Beach
Take a trip to SplashDown Beach Water Park in Fishkill, NY, for a day of rides, slides and thrills. Try out Humanga Half-Pipe, New York’s only zero-gravity half-pipe. Or, if you’re looking for some fun in the sand, head over to Rock Beach. Plus the new Bob the Builder Splash Works offers over 50 interactive and guest appearances from Bob the Builder himself!

And for more great water adventures this summer, check out our list of the city’s great pools and beaches.