Grab your floaties and make a giant splash at these indoor water parks near Chicagoland! Snow, rain, and wind won’t spoil the fun at these year-round indoor water park destinations. Whether you’re looking for an afternoon of family fun or an entire weekend away to relax and swim, there are options to choose from within a short drive from sweet home Chicago.
Indoor water parks are great for all ages, from babies to adults. Most have toddler play areas, baby bubblers, and a variety of slides and interactive playgrounds. Many of these parks also have lazy rivers or slides for the older kids, too. Some indoor waterpark spots may have outdoor features as well that you can check out during the summer months.
Whether you’re looking to travel soon or making plans for a future getaway, be sure to call in advance for the most updated information on what’s available and how to reserve your time slot.
Indoor Water Parks in Illinois
Splash Central Indoor Aquatic Center (Bartlett)
700 S Bartlett Road
Bartlett, IL 60103
(630) 540-4800
This indoor pool features two pool areas, and a hot tub. It has as a zero depth entry pool, a slide, and interactive water features for small swimmers. There is also a large activity/lap pool right next to the activity area with lifeguards on duty. They have open swim hours and are also available for private parties. Kids 2 and under are free. There are family restrooms for changing and lockers available to use. Be sure to check their website for safety guidelines and hours, as they change seasonally. Daily admission or punch cards are both available.
Pelican Harbor (Bolingbrook)
200 S Lindsey Lane
Bolingbrook, IL 60440
(630) 739-1700
Open in the winter for indoor lap swimming and open swim, Pelican Harbor features a zero-depth entry pool, two water slides (must be 42” tall to ride), tot slide, tumble buckets, and a hot tub. Open public swim hours vary by week, facility is also available for party rentals.
Kroc Center Chicago (Chicago)
1250 W 119th Street
Chicago, IL 60643
(773) 995-0151
Features two pools-a competition pool with 6 lanes for lap swimming with diving boards and a water park pool area for family fun. The water park area has a lazy river, vortex pool, hot tub, water play structure, and two massive slides (must be 48″ to ride). Find open swim hours on their website, or purchase day passes in advance. We recommend calling in advance to confirm open swim hours before heading out.
Adventure Island (Elgin)
100 Symphony Way
Elgin, IL 60120
(847) 531-7030
Open year round, this indoor water park features a zero-depth entry pool, floor fountains, whirlpool, large toddler play structure with slide, and tipping toucans to make sure you get soaked. Riders over 42″ tall can also enjoy a 25-foot water slide. Swim laps in the competition pool, complete with diving boards and eight 25-yard lanes. There is also a separate heated therapy pool used for senior programming and rehabilitation. Check current open swim hours, and cost of admission on their website.
Pavilion Aquatics Center (Elk Grove Village)
1000 Wellington Avenue
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
(847) 593-6248
Swim year round in the an olympic-sized indoor main pool, zero-depth lagoon pool with interactive features and a 72-foot water slide for swimmers over 43″ tall. Pool has open swim hours, private facility rental options as well as Parents Night Out events.
Great Wolf Lodge (Gurnee)
1700 Nations Drive
Gurnee, IL 60031
(844) 482-9653
This closer location in Gurnee features a four-story water slide, water fort tree house, tot-only water slides, and a pool. With character visits, story time and family games, there’s plenty to do outside of the water, too. If you don’t want to spend the night at the hotel, you can also opt for a day pass. Check out Katie’s 2019 Review of Great Wolf Lodge in Gurnee.
Great Wolf Lodge is currently running a Groupon; check it out for a discount on your stay both in Gurnee and the Dells. (If you use our affiliate link, we will receive a portion of the sale at no cost to you.)
Swim Central (Oak Brook)
Located inside the Oak Brook Park District Family Recreation Center
1450 Forest Gate Road
Oak Brook, IL 60523
(630) 990-4233
Enjoy the warm-water zero-depth leisure pool, interactive water structure and vortex pool. Water slide is open on a special schedule. Swimmers must pass a swimming test in order to utilize the water slide when it is open. Families can now enjoy the Aquatic Center amenities (including the water slide) during Pop-Up Hours. Sensory Sensitive Hours available on the first Wednesday evening of every month. Utilize their monthly schedule to plan your trip. Guest passes can be purchased at the Front Desk, if you are in district be sure to bring proof of residency for resident rate.
The Water Works (Schaumburg)
505 N Springinsguth Road
Schaumburg, IL 60194
(847) 490-2505
Indoor water park featuring a zero-depth-entry pool, sprayground with sprayers, small slides, and floor fountains. Separate diving pool with diving boards and three full side water slides (must be 42″ to ride body slides and 48″ to ride drop slides), lap pool and rapid water channel for experienced swimmers. Residents need to bring proof of residency to receive discounted rate, children under 2 are free.
Grand Bear Falls Water Park (Grand Bear Resort)
Grand Bear Resort
2643 IL-178
North Utica, IL 61373
(866) 399-3866
This indoor water park is located inside Grand Bear Resort near Starved Rock. Park includes slide tower for riders over 48″ tall, lazy river, wave pool, tot pool with slide, ranger station and 15-person hot tub. Water park admission is included with resort stay or available as a day pass. Local residents (LaSalle, Putnam, and Bureau county) will received a day pass discount with proper ID. Call beforehand for water park attraction status, as staffing/maintenance may cause certain attractions to be closed without warning. Annie and her family checked out Grizzly Jack’s Waterpark in 2019 and she gives lots of tips in her full review of Grand Bear Resort. If the weather is milder, consider an afternoon hike at Starved Rock afterwards, too.
Arctic Splash Indoor Pool (Wheeling)
Located inside Community Recreation Center
100 Community Boulevard
Wheeling, IL 60090
(847) 465-7674
Year round indoor pool facility with zero-depth leisure pool, mini lazy river, interactive water play structures, four-lane lap pool, and toddler slide. Check the pool schedule before heading out. Day passes, memberships and party packages are all available.
Indoor Water Parks in Wisconsin (outside the Wisconsin Dells)
Timber Ridge Lodge and Waterpark (Lake Geneva, WI)
7020 Grand Geneva Way
Lake Geneva, WI 53147
Located just about 2 hours from the western suburbs, this resort water park’s family activities range from a toddler area with swings and a tiny waterfall, to an activity pool with a rope climb, lazy river and slides (for swimmers 48″ tall). Adults can enjoy the indoor/outdoor hot tub open year round. The arcade and activity room allow for a little creative time outside the pool. When you stay at Timber Ridge Lodge, you receive four free water park passes with a one-bedroom suite, and six passes with a two-bedroom suite. Daycation Packages are offered and include water park passes and access to a hotel room from 2:00pm-10:00pm.
Springs Waterpark (Pewaukee, WI)
The Ingleside Hotel
2810 Golf Rd.
Pewaukee, WI 53072
(262) 547-0201 or (800) 247-6640
Attached to the Ingleside Hotel, this waterpark is located about 30 minutes west of Milwaukee. Available to both hotel guests and those just looking to visit for the day. Attractions include: zero-depth toddler play area with water cannons, giant dump bucket and toddler-sized-slides, larger tube and body slides, lazy river, kid’s activity pool including ropes course and basketball hoops, and indoor/outdoor hot tub. There is also an arcade, restaurant with bar and snack bar.
Breaker Bay Water Park at Blue Harbor Resort (Sheyboygan, WI)
Located inside Blue Harbor Resort and Spa
725 Blue Harbor Dr.
Sheboygan, WI 53081
(866) 701-2583
Located 3 hours directly north of the Chicago suburbs, this 54,000 square foot indoor water park is housed within the Blue Harbor Resort and Spa. Toddlers can enjoy in a play area with bubblers and two toddler slides while bigger kids try out the surfing simulator, basketball court pool, water obstacle course, and slides. A lazy river also winds through the park. Outside the water, there’s indoor glow in the dark mini golf and an arcade. Day passes are available on Sundays only depending on availability, otherwise the waterpark is for hotel guests only.
Check out Nicole’s 2019 road trip to Sheboygan including a waterpark review, tips on where to eat, and more to do in Sheboygan!
Three Bears Resort Waterpark (Warren, WI)
701 Yogi Circle
Warrens, Wisconsin 54666
(608) 378-2500
This indoor/outdoor waterpark is located just north of the Wisconsin Dells. Waterpark admission is included for all resort guests, and there are different types of day passes that can be purchased based on availability. Indoor waterpark includes racing slides, lazy river, wave pool, activity pool with basketball hoops, toddler activity area with water play structure and fountains, and hot tub (currently out of service). Check waterpark hours before booking your stay.
Indoor Water Parks in Wisconsin Dells
The Wisconsin Dells are about 3 hours northwest of Chicagoland, and offer plentiful dining and entertainment options even in the cold winter months.
Chula Vista Resort’s Los Rios Indoor Waterpark
1000 Chula Vista Parkway
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
(800) 388-4782
At this Wisconsin Dells waterpark, swimmers over 50″ tall can zoom uphill on an indoor water-roller-coaster that is one of a kind. Little ones can enjoy the kiddie area, while older children (over 42″ tall) can race down the mat slides, test their balance at the croc crossing, get drenched under the tipping bucket, or float down the lazy river. The park also has a large arcade and outdoor waterpark open in the summer. Admission is included for Chula Vista Resort guests, or available as a day pass.
Great Wolf Lodge
1400 Great Wolf Drive
Baraboo, WI 53913
(800) 559-9653
This 80,000 square-foot waterpark’s indoor attractions include a water fort tree house, activity pool, body and tube slides, toboggan-style mat slides, and more. Dry attractions include an arcade, story time and character visits. There is also an attached outdoor waterpark for use in the summer. Hotel guests’ admission is included, and day passes are also available.
Kalahari Waterparks
1305 Kalahari Drive
Baraboo, WI 53913
(877) 525-2427
The largest water park in the Wisconsin Dells at 125,000 square feet, with body and tube slides, lazy river, indoor water-roller-coaster, wave pool and a surfing simulator. The toddler play area has a mini lazy river, water play structure, and slides. Kalahari is also mid-renovation on their indoor water park (75,000 square foot expansion) expected to be completed by Fall 2026. New attractions will include 3 new slides, new spa whirlpool, swim up bar for adults, racing mat slides and more. Hotel guests receive admission to the water park with their stay, however day passes are also available.
Mt. Olympus Water Park
655 N Frontage Road
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
(800) 800-4997
Open Mid-September-Mid May, features of this indoor waterpark include, four water slides, a giant toddler play structure, lazy river, swim pool, whirlpool and hot tub. Kids can also play on a 35-foot pirate ship and run through water spouts and geysers. Indoor theme park attractions include mini golf, bumper cars, rock climbing, and an arcade. Guests of Mt. Olympus play at the waterparks and theme parks free, day passes are also available.
Wilderness Waterpark Resort
511 E Adams Street
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
(800) 867-9453
Wilderness Territory boasts four separate year round, indoor waterparks with attractions such as the country’s biggest indoor wave pool, tons of waterslides, zero-depth play features, separate toddler play areas and much more. Kids can also take a ride on the go-karts or bumper boats, play a game of laser tag or mini golf, or win some prizes at the arcade while taking a break from the water. In the summer months, the four outdoor waterparks are open as well. Admission to the four indoor water parks is included with your hotel stay, and day passes are available.
Indoor Water Parks in Michigan
Gold Rush Indoor Waterpark (Rothbury, MI)
Located inside Double JJ Resort
5900 S Water Road
Rothbury, MI 49452
(231) 894-4444
Located about 3.5 hours from Chicagoland, this 60,000-square-foot water park features a combo lazy/crazy river, body slides (must be 42″ to ride), bowl slide (must be 48″ to ride), wave pool, water fort, toddler pool, water basketball, and more. Non-water attractions include indoor mini-golf, an arcade, and tubing. Ages 3 and under are free, and day passes are available.
Indoor Water Parks in Indiana
Big Splash Adventure Indoor Water Park and Resort (French Lick, IN)
8505 IN-56
French Lick, IN 47432
(812) 936-3866
Big Splash Adventure Indoor Water Park and Resort is our furthest hike from the Chicago suburbs. Located about 5 hours south of Chicagoland, between Indianapolis and Louisville, Big Splash Adventure has a glass ceiling that gives this space a tropical feel, even in the wintertime. Inside this 40,000 square foot indoor waterpark, families can climb a three-story play structure, splash around the toddler pool, float down the Lost River, and whirl around the tube and body slides. Mini golf, arcade and laser tag, too. Day pass tickets should be purchased online and in advance, as there is a limited number of passes allowed daily.
Indoor Water Parks in Iowa
Grand Harbor Resort (Dubuque, IA)
350 Bell Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
(563) 690-4000
About 3 hours west of Chicago, near Galena sits Grand Harbor Resort. This 25,000 square foot hotel’s waterpark contains large tipping bucket in extensive climbing structure. You’ll also find water sprinklers, slides, and shallow waters, too. Waterpark admission is included in your overnight stay at Grand Harbor Resort, as well as a continental breakfast. Day passes can be purchased at the waterpark as well. Check out the Waterpark Calendar before scheduling your stay, and keep an eye on their social media for any last minute water park updates. Located near many Iowa attractions like the Port of Dubuque Marina, Fenelon Place Elevator, Chestnut Mountain, and the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, right off the Mississippi River.
In the mood for more water fun with the family? Check out our list of local hotels with pools for more great mini getaway ideas!
