Ohio and Indiana are most well-known for their professional sports teams. What they are less known for, however, are their expansive indoor water parks. In the past, elements such as thunder, snow and the like would have ruined any hopes of spending a day or weekend at the water park. Now, temperature-controlled indoor water parks keep the elements out year-round. Ohio and Indiana have several of these indoor water parks.
The following are three of Ohio's indoor waterparks: Kalahari Indoor Water Park, Castaway Bay and Fort Rapids Indoor Water Park Resort.
Kalahari Indoor Water Park is the largest in the United States, and it is open every day of the year. Some of its features include a 12,000-square-foot wave pool, uphill water roller coaster, raft rides, Swahili Sirl 60-foot diameter bowl raft ride and stand-up surfing and boogie boarding. or those who want to lounge, the water park has private cabanas, tanning and spas.
Kalahari Indoor Water Park
7000 Kalahari Drive
Sandusky, OH 44870
877-525-2427
kalahariresorts.com
Castaway Bay is a Caribbean-themed indoor water park with palm trees, lagoons, huts and five-stories of water attractions. A few of its attractions include the Tropical Tube Slides, Toddler's Tide Pool, Castaway Bay Wave Pool, Lookout Lagoon Family Fun house, Cargo Crossing, Creature Cove and Pineapple Pipeline. There are trained life guards throughout Castaway Bay for patron safety. As of 2010, day passes are $29 each.
Castaway Bay
2001 Cleveland Road
Sandusky, OH 48870
419-627-2106
castawaybay.com
The Fort Rapids Indoor Water Park Resort in Columbus, Ohio, has 12 water rides. The attractions include a 1,000 gallon bucket that tips over onto whoever is located in the park's Rascal Round Up area. Attractions also include Blackout Pass, Kiddie Korral, Shoot Out Racer and the 40-foot high Slide Tower, which takes you to the top of four separate water slides. The park also has an adult-only hot tub. Packages are available for special events.
Fort Rapids Indoor Water Park Resort
4560 Hilton Corporate Drive
Columbus, OH 43232
614-868-1380
fortrapids.com
The following are three of Indiana's indoor water parks: Big Splash Adventure, Caribbean Cove Indoor Water Park and Splash Universe.
Big Splash Adventure is a 40,000-square-foot indoor pirate-themed water park. Its attractions include Lost River, which is a boat ride that incorporates the story of Uncle Lee Wally and a hunt for buried treasure. There is also the Lost Treasure Lagoon, which is a leisure pool with flotation devices, basketball hoops and an underwater current called the Vortex. The water park also features an adult-only hot tub called Palm Cove.
Big Splash Adventure
8505 W. S.R. 56
French Lick, IN
877-936-3866
bigsplashadventure.com
Caribbean Cove Indoor Water Park is a 50,000-square-foot. Caribbean-themed water park. Its attractions include two 40-foot tube slides that are more than 367 feet long. Other attractions include the Plunge pool, 700 gallon tipping bucket, Kataway Bay interactive playscape and Boombay sports activity pool. The location also features arcades, shops and restaurants.
Caribbean Cove Indoor Water Park
3850 DePauw Blvd.
Indianapolis, IN 46268
317-872-9790
caribbeancovewaterpark.com
Splash Universe is an indoor water park that keeps its facility at 84 degrees year-round, and 100,000 gallons of water move through the park. Its attractions include the 500-gallon splash bucket, Lazy River, Zero Entry Lil' Squirt Pool, Dual Vortex Water Park Slides, 7 Layer Barnyard Playhouse and Water Fun Adventure Area. For adults, there is the Hot Springs hot tub and more than 105 specialty shops.
Splash Universe
800 S. Van Buren St.
Shipshewana, IN 46565
877-752-7482
splashuniverse.com
