St. Paul, the capital city of Minnesota, is frigid during the winter months, but access to swimming activities is available throughout the year at indoor water parks in the Twin Cities area. Some Twin Cities' water parks are connected to hotels, which saves vacationers time from having to drive to an off-site location. No such accommodations are in St. Paul proper, but the city is within 30 minutes of water park hotels in nearby Minneapolis, Bloomington and Brooklyn Park.
The Grand Rios Water Park is in Brooklyn Park, a Twin Cities suburb 30 minutes northwest of St. Paul. This indoor water park is connected to the Ramada Minneapolis NW hotel. Grand Rios features the Hurricane Plunge, a four-story structure with a series of water-tube slides, and a lazy river ride. The water park also features an arcade game room and activity swimming pool for children. Private rooms are available for parties. The hotel's signature restaurant, Beachside Bar & Grill, features beach-themed décor and serves seafood cuisine for lunch and dinner. Dining is also available at Coconut Charlies inside the water park. This eatery features snack items, such as pizza and ice cream. Other hotel features include an indoor swimming pool -- separate from Grand Rios -- and a ballroom for banquets and receptions. Some guest rooms have poolside locations and sleeper sofas.
Situated in downtown Minneapolis, the Milwaukee Road Depot complex was once a 19th century railway station and currently features two Marriott hotels -- The Depot Renaissance and Residence Inn -- and an indoor water park. Also referred to as "The Depot," this complex is a 15-minute drive west of St. Paul. The Depot also has Charley's, a fine dining establishment that serves Midwest American cuisine for lunch and dinner.
The indoor water park at The Depot is a 15,000-square-foot space that features an activity pool with an engine train structure. The structure has tube slides and water cannons. The water park also has a three-story water slide and arcade game room. Parties and events are hosted at the water park.
The Residence Inn Minneapolis Downtown at The Depot is an extended-stay hotel right next to the water park. This hotel offers nightly and weekly rates. Guest suites have living rooms with sleeper sofas and fully furnished kitchens.
The Depot Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel is the more upscale of the two Depot hotels, with marble floors and photos of The Depot in its rail station heyday throughout the lobby. The rooms at Renaissance have sleeper sofas and whirlpool tubs. Renaissance features elegant meeting rooms for banquets and valet parking.
This Radisson Hotel is adjacent to the Mall of America, one of the largest shopping centers in the world, and less than 20 minutes from St. Paul. This hotel is home to the Water Park of America, an indoor water park. This water park includes the Lake Superior Wave Pool, a 10-story raft ride that is a mile long, and a surf ride simulator. The water park provides dining options at Camp Many Point, which is open for lunch and dinner. Menu items include hot dogs and pizza. The hotel is also home to the Split Rock Grille, a restaurant with menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Split Rock provides outdoor seating and room service to rooms. The deluxe rooms and suites at the hotel have living rooms, while the suites also have fireplaces and balconies.
