Ohio thrill-seekers undoubtedly are conversant in the state’s world-famous amusement parks, Cedar Level and Kings Island. However close to these parks are additionally a lot of different thrilling points of interest which are enjoyable, family-friendly locations, particularly in case you don’t thoughts getting your thrills whereas moist.
Listed here are a few of the greatest water parks to be discovered close to or at Ohio’s two huge theme parks.
Kalahari Resorts and Conventions Water Park
The king of indoor waterparks, at the very least if judged by dimension, is Kalahari Resorts and Conventions Water Park (7000 Kalahari Drive, www.kalahariresorts.com/ohio) in Sandusky.
The resort claims, at 173,000 sq. toes, to be the biggest indoor waterpark in Ohio. It’s actually one of many only a few locations within the Buckeye State the place surfers or body-boarders can get pleasure from thrills in the midst of winter — and each different day of the 12 months — at a water-park comfy 84 levels.
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And with hotter climate, the resort’s out of doors Zambezi Water Park additionally opens for a zipper or a dip or simply sunbathing.
Kalahari additionally encompasses a Safari Out of doors Journey Park with zip line, rope course, climbing wall, and animal park. And guests will discover a wide range of on-resort restaurant choices.
The resort’s lodgings vary from single rooms to three-bedroom suites to five-bedroom “leisure homes” — ebook two and you may deliver alongside 43 of your closest buddies.
The water park is free to resort company, however these not staying the night time may also buy day passes to the resort and its actions.
Castaway Bay Indoor Waterpark and Resort
The newly renovated Castaway Bay Indoor Waterpark and Resort in Sandusky (2001 Cleveland Street, www.castawaybay.com) options refurbished visitor rooms providing a wide range of lodging, together with household suites full with bunk beds for the children.
The indoor water park is restricted to company of the 237-room resort. A five-story vaulted ceiling covers the Caribbean-themed water park, with palm bushes, huts and “lagoons” including to the tropical really feel. The park’s water options provide enjoyable for each age and degree of thrill-seeking. And a brand new crew of mascots, headed up by Gordy the ocean turtle, are readily available to verify the enjoyable by no means ends.
Non-watery actions embrace mini bowling and a wide range of eating choices.
Cedar Level Shores Waterpark
The out of doors Cedar Level Shores Waterpark (1 Cedar Level Drive, www.cedarpoint.com/cedar-point-shores) covers 18 acres adjoining to Cedar Level amusement park. Kids can get pleasure from Lakeslide Touchdown with minnow-sized slides and fountains, whereas older guests get their thrills at Level Plummet, which releases riders on a virtually vertical drop onto a waterslide that circles down from a peak of six tales.
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After that, going through a sea monster (lake monster?) appears straightforward, particularly when it’s the park’s personal costumed — and pleasant! — model of Lake Erie’s legendary cryptid, Lemmy, who haunts Lemmy’s Lagoon for the enjoyment of holiday makers.
Friends may also lounge in one of many park’s newly redesigned cabanas — pleasantly personal locations for a snack or meal or for resting between watery plunges.
Admission to Cedar Level Shores is separate from Cedar Level.
Nice Wolf Lodge
Nice Wolf Lodge provides resort lodges with indoor water parks close to each giant theme parks.
The Nice Wolf Lodge in Sandusky (4600 Milan Street, www.greatwolf.com/sandusky) and the lodge in Mason (2501 Nice Wolf Drive, www.greatwolf.com/mason) each provide a wide range of suites, together with whirlpool, household hearth and cabin-themed suites for all dimension households.
Friends have use of the massive connected indoor water park at every location. Day passes are additionally out there for these not spending the night time.
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Each water parks characteristic comparable points of interest, similar to a four-story interactive water fort/tree home, though the identify of the options typically differs — Sandusky’s “lazy river” is Caribou Creek, whereas the one in Mason is Crooked Creek. (Come to think about it, I’ve by no means seen a caribou in Mason.)
Soak Metropolis
Kings Islands’ personal out of doors water park, Soak Metropolis (6300 Kings Islands Drive, Kings Mills, www.visitkingsisland.com/soak-city), encompasses a 650,000-gallon wave pool — surf’s up! — plus 30 water slides, tropical lagoons and the round Splash River, with a Coconut Cove Bar conveniently positioned close by. Tadpoles can have secure, non-threatening water enjoyable at Castaway Cove, whereas huge brother or sister (or Mother or Dad) get some greater thrills at Mondo Monsoon, a two- to four-person raft journey that drops from an enclosed flume down 60 toes into an open tunnel.
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Admission to Soak Metropolis is included with admission to Kings Island and isn’t out there individually.
Many indoor water parks and resorts are open year-round whereas the out of doors parks typically open on Memorial Day weekend. Make sure to name forward or verify the vacation spot’s web site for the newest information earlier than your journey.
Steve Stephens is a contract journey author and photographer. E mail him at [email protected]