Once upon a time, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, was a popular vacation destination for the rich and powerful. Today, it shares its small-town charm primarily with residents. With a population that numbers less than 15,000, Oconomowoc does not have its own water park; however, nearby cities do. Regardless of what brings you Oconomowoc, one of the nearby water parks can provide you plenty of fun and relaxation.
Oconomowoc was discovered by Charles Sheldon, who settled there in 1837. The city's name comes from the Potawatomi Indian phrase Coo-no-mo-wauk, which means "where the waters meet" or "river of lakes," according to the city's website. Once known as the "Newport of the West," Oconomowoc welcomed such prestigious visitors as Presidents William Howard Taft, Theodore Roosevelt, Calvin Coolidge, Ulysses S. Grant and William McKinley.
Springs Water Park, part of the Country Springs Hotel, is open all year. It's in Waukesha, 28 minutes east of Oconomowoc. Besides water slides, such as the 362-foot Double Dog Dare slide, the park also has the Whistle Stop Wash activity pool and the Waukesha Waterworks, an activity center for children. Indoor activities include the Geyser Games Arcade, the Wet Your Whistle Lounge and the Fun House, which has private rooms available for birthday parties and anniversary celebrations.
The Paradise Landing Indoor Water Park is in Milwaukee, 43 minutes east of Oconomowoc. Open year-round, it has four water slides, a lagoon, a hydrotherapy spa and a kiddie pool. When you get hungry, you can visit the Cabana Cove for snacks and drinks. When you get tired of playing in the water, the Family Fun Center has arcade games which dispense tickets that you can redeem for prizes.
The Puddle Jumper Indoor Water Playground, also in Milwaukee, is a combination hotel and water park. The water playground, as they call it, has a kiddie pool, children's play structure and water slides. It also has water basketball. Adults can relax in an indoor whirlpool while the kids have fun in the children's areas.
Other water park options include the Jewish Community Center Water Park in Thiensville, 55 minutes northeast of Oconomowoc, and the David F. Schultz Aquatic Center in Milwaukee.
