By Cheri Sicard
Looking for a fun way for the family to beat the heat this summer? How about a trip to a water park? In the video below we get an overview of the best water parks in the USA from the team at Theme Park Recommendations. And, according to our theme park expert hosts, America is home to some of the best water parks in the world.
10 best water parks in the USA (in no order, all these parks are outstanding)
Splashin’ Safari, Santa Claus, Indiana: Next door to Holiday World amusement park, Splashin’ Safari is known for having one the longest family raft slides in the world, among LOTS of other fun attractions, too, including three mammoth coasters. In fact, our hosts say you find one of the best collections of water coasters in the world at this Indiana park.
Universal’s Volcano Bay, Orlando, Florida: This tropical-themed water park has something for everyone no matter what your preferences. It features dozens of slides that wind in and around the park’s central volcano structure.
Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, Orlando, Florida: Our hosts say this is the best water park in all of Disney, especially because of its typhoon wave pool featuring six-foot waves, plus lots of fun slides.
Schlitterbahn, New Braunfels, Texas: This massive water park has been delighting visitors since 1979. There are more than 50 different water attractions spread out over more than 70 acres. Some of the attractions even use spring-fed water from the nearby river.
Water Country USA, Williamsburg, Virginia: Surrounded by Virginia’s dense tree line, this beautiful park features some incredible world-class water coasters you must see to appreciate (so watch the video).
Sea World’s Aquatica, Orlando, Florida: Two huge wave pools, sandy beaches, a large kids area, some of the best raft and body slides available anywhere, and the best lazy river you’ll ever encounter, await here.
Soaky Mountain Water Park, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee: This is a great park with, according to our hosts, one of the best water slides in the entire world. Check out the video to see it in action.
Water World, Denver, Colorado: At more than 70 acres and featuring over 50 attractions, Water World bills itself as America’s largest water park (but Schlitterbahn must be mighty close). Be sure to check out the themed dark ride water slides like the “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” which takes more than five minutes to experience.
Dollywood’s Splash Country, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee: Built around the area’s gorgeous natural terrain and using that natural terrain to its advantage, this park is as beautiful as sister park Dollywood.
Raging Waves Waterpark, Yorkville, Illinois: You won’t find a lush tropical landscape in Illinois, but you will find one of the best collections of water slides anywhere.
Not every great park could make the top 10 list, but at point 8:00 in the video, they wrap up with some great honorable mentions.
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Thank you, Cheri! 🙂 I guess we’d have far more interest in these if we had young children or grandchildren. Thanks again, have a great day, safe travels, and safe stays! 🙂
I agreed with your water park choices here, that I have experienced. These are, Typhoon Lagoon, Aquatica, Adventure Island and Volcano Bay, all in the Central Florida area. I was surprised though, that you didn’t mention Disney’s Blizzard Beach, whilst listing these other nearby H2O parks. In my opinion, it has a well designed and executed theme, good variety of attractions and amenities, also it includes one of the world’s tallest (120 ft) and fastest (depending on rider’s weight, up to 60 mph), speed slides, namely, “Summit Plummet”. I’d be interested in any reason you might have had contributing to what I consider a glaring omission. Otherwise it was a useful and fun video.
I have no idea, you would have to ask the person who made the YouTube video.