Parent-Reviewed Indoor Water Parks Near Chicago
Read parent reviews (and add your own!) for the best indoor water parks near Chicago and the suburbs, along with a few of our Wisconsin favorites!
Whatever the weather brings, and whether you choose to make it a Dells weekend or stay closer to home, an indoor water park is your family's answer to year-round pool, water slide and splash pad fun.
Use our interactive map to find an indoor waterpark near you, and check out parent recommendations for the best outdoor waterparks around Chicago, too.
Grand Bear Falls (Grand Bear Resort at Starved Rock)
Kristy Pepping said: Enjoy a wet and wild family day at Grand Bear Falls with their 24,000 square foot indoor water park with play zones, slides, wave pool, lazy river, and 15 person hot tub!
Oglesby, ILFamily Aquatic Center (Oak Brook Park District)
Kristy Pepping said: Oak Brook Aquatic Center offers an expansive, year-round indoor water park that features a lap pool, water slide, water play features and zero-depth splash area.
Oak Brook, ILAdventure Island (Elgin Parks & Recreation)
Kristy Pepping said: Adventure Island offers year-round indoor water park fun. Zoom down the 20 foot high water slide; jump off the one-meter or three-meter diving boards; stay fit by swimming laps in one of the (8) 25 yard lap lanes; enjoy the warm water therapy pool to relieve joint/muscle pain; or just play in their leisure pool with tumbling toucans, floor geysers, a boat slide, spray arches, or spinning vortex.
Kroc Center Chicago Aquatic Center
Molly Weber said: The Aquatic Center at the Kroc Center includes (8) 25-yard lap lanes, 2 diving boards, lazy river, giant waterslide, and zero-depth play area.
Chicago, IL
timberridgelodge.com
Timber Ridge Lodge & Water Park
Kristy Pepping said: Timber Ridge Lodge & Water Park offers climbing, swimming and an on-site restaurant. The waterpark has 50,000 square-feet of slides, a lazy river, swimming pool and more. The park also features an arcade, arts and crafts, pool swings, toddler water play area and more. This water park is exclusive to hotel guests only.
Lake Geneva, WI
blueharborresort.com
Breaker Bay Waterpark (Blue Harbor Resort)
Shila said: This 54,000-square-foot entertainment area and waterpark is always 84 degrees, making it an ideal year round destination for both Milwaukee and Chicago families. Blue Harbor Resort's indoor waterpark features an expansive activity pool, tube slides, lazy river, surf simulator, and more. Day passes are available. Stay the night and explore many other special amenities, too!
Sheboygan, WIPirate’s Cay Indoor Waterpark (Holiday Inn Fox River Resort)
Molly Weber said: This year-round indoor water park hotel has a facility enclosed completely in glass so you still have views of the outside even when the weather may not be ideal for outdoor activities. Even better, the roof is retractable for nice summer days! There is also easy access to a casual dining area for quick snacks or meals. The park features a lazy river, water slides, pirate ship playscape, arcade room, locker rooms, and a retail shop. The water park is open to the general public, though guests staying at the resort receive a discounted rate.
Sheridan, ILGreat Wolf Lodge Gurnee
Sarah D. said: Whether your children need towering water slides, baby pools or anything in between, Great Wolf has an impressive array of watery fun. Great Wolf offers day passes as well as a hotel for a weekend escape, and sits just across the way from Six Flags Great America.
Gurnee, IL
theinglesidehotel.com
Springs Water Park (The Ingleside Hotel)
Shila said: Less than 30 minutes from Milwaukee, this indoor water park features 3 slides, a lazy river, activity pool, dump buckets, whirlpool, and more. The largest slide is 362 ft. long.
Pewaukee, WI
wheelingparkdistrict.com
Community Recreation Center Indoor Pool (Wheeling Park District)
Kristy Pepping said: The Wheeling Park District's indoor pool features a zero-depth leisure pool, mini lazy river. interactive water play structures, a 4-lane, 23.5-yard lap pool, and a toddler slide.
Wheeling, ILWilderness Resort
Kristy Pepping said: The Wilderness Resort is located on 600 acres consisting of cabin-themed properties and villas, and including multiple indoor and outdoor water parks, and so many family attractions. The resort features arcades, a laser arena, go-carts, ropes course, mini-golf and more, including Take Flight, an aerial adventure theatre ride.
glenviewparks.org
Splash Landings (Glenview Park District)
Joseph Kelley said: Glenview Park District’s four-pool indoor aquatic center has been voted the North Shore's best water park, and includes the Splash Landings Play Pool, which slopes from zero-depth to 3 ½ feet, has an air traffic control tower-themed waterslide and interactive water play features. Their indoor pool is open during the winter months only.
Glenview, ILArlington Ridge Center (Arlington Heights Park District)
Vanessa M. said: The ARC in Arlington Heights offers slides, fountains, and play features in a zero to three feet water depth.
Arlington Heights, IL
bolingbrookparks.org
Pelican Harbor Indoor/Outdoor Aquatic Park (Bolingbrook Park District)
Kristy Pepping said: Bolingbrook Park District's Pelican Harbor is year-round aquatic park. Indoor attractions include 85 degree water (also with zero-depth entry), a lap pool, hot tub and 2 water slides. There is a splash pad area with tumble buckets, an indoor tot slide, and more!
In the summer, outdoor attractions feature a few more water slides, a lazy river, splash zone, beach volleyball, sand play area, lounge chairs and concessions.
Bolingbrook, ILThe Water Works (Schaumburg Park District)
Kristy Pepping said: Schaumburg Park District’s The Water Works features a lap pool, three water slides and a water playground. Favorite park features include the rapid water channel, diving pool, whirl pool, and the zero-depth pool entry which is perfect for little ones.
Schaumburg, ILPrimary photo: Grand Bear Resort
Upparent collects community-submitted recommendations and reviews, and any ideas that are shared reflect the opinions of individual contributors.