Ohio's northern edge frames Lake Erie, offering sailing, swimming and sun worshipping during the warmer months. In the winter, thoughts turn to snowshoeing, skiing and ice fishing, the ultimate test in patience as you huddle over an open hole in the ice waiting for a bite. Ohio is also home to a number of waterparks, offering the opportunity for families to swim and play in warm water, even in the middle of a snowy winter.
Cincinnati, Ohio, is home to the CoCo Key Water Resort, located at the Crown Plaza Cincinnati North. Water attractions include the Parrot's Perch, a play island created for younger children that includes slides, water cannons and a huge water bucket. Older children and adults have the Pelican Plunge, Shark Slam and Barracuda Blast to explore within the 50,000-square-foot indoor park. Another option is the Coney Island Sunlight Pool, built in 1925 and measuring 401 feet in length and 200 feet wide, at Coney Island Park. In addition to water slides, the park offers dry-land attractions, including Ferris wheels, bumper cars and roller coasters.
Fort Rapids Indoor Waterpark, one of the largest in the state, is located in the city of Columbus. It is a combination waterpark, hotel resort and conference center. The Western-themed park features attractions such as the Rascal Round Up, a 40-foot-tall combination of water slides, water cannons and a tipping bucket. Cowboy Creek features mini-rapids and a wave machine that pushes you along. Adults can relax in the 30-person hot tub. Those looking for more action can tackle Ambush Valley, Raging Bull, Black Out Pass and Shoot Out Racer, all water slides for those at least 4 feet tall. Accommodations are available on-site in hotel rooms or in family villas.
Sandusky, on the northern part of the state along the shores of Lake Erie, is home to several waterparks. Cedar's Pointe Castaway Bay is a full-service resort that offers a hotel, spa and waterpark. The resort is pure Caribbean, and the indoor waterpark, with its palm trees, water slides, lagoons and wave pool, is open year-round. Cedar Point's Soak City Water Park offers 75 rides, both in and out of the water, on its 18 acres. Also in town is the African-themed Kalahari Resort. This all-in-one destination features hotel rooms, conference centers, restaurants and a waterpark in an atrium setting that lets in natural light. Rides include the Zip Coaster waterslide, the Cheetah Race, a four-lane slide and the Victoria Falls and Rhino raft rides. Adults can find some relative peace and quiet at the swim-up bar.
Great Wolf Lodge is one of the biggest names in the world of waterparks, and there are two in Ohio, one in Sandusky and the other in Mason. The resorts are designed to make you feel like you are in the great outdoors. Special rooms called "Wolf Dens" are specially designed with a room within a room for the kids. The mini-room has its own TV and bunk beds. Kid cabins offer a separate sleeping area decked out like a cabin, providing bunk beds and a TV. The indoor waterparks offer water forts, giant slides, river pools and swimming pools with basketball hoops and water volleyball courts. Different areas carry names such as Big Foot Pass Area and the Soak n'Oak Springs. At the Sandusky locale, a large outdoor pool is open during the summer season.
