13 Boston Area Water Parks (What Parents Think)
We're collecting tips & reviews for the best water parks in the Boston area and within a reasonable drive, so you know what to expect when you visit with your kids.
From lazy rivers to pulse-racing thrill rides to little kid splash pads, these New England waterparks offer fun in the sun for everyone in the family. Remember indoor waterparks for a year round option, too, and destination-worthy water parks for an epic vacation!
If you've visited any Boston area water parks, give your favorites a "like" and leave a review to share your tips with fellow parents!
Lake Compounce Crocodile Cove
Tracy Snyder Molina: Admission to Lake Compounce Amusement Park includes entry to Crocodile Cove Waterpark, which features a lazy river, multiple wave pools and water slides, interactive water play area, kiddie pool area and an actual lake!
Six Flags New England Hurricane Harbor
Amanda Banta: Six Flags New England's Hurricane Harbor Water Park offers thrilling body and tube rides, lazy river and several shallow kid areas. Entrance to the water park is an additional fee.
Yawgoo Valley Water Park
Tracy Snyder Molina: Each summer the Yawgoo Valley Ski Area is transformed into a waterpark featuring slides, swimming pool and kiddie pool. Sessions are offered in 1, 2 or 3 hour segments.
Great Wolf Lodge New England
There is plenty to keep the kids busy all day and night at this park with features such as a wave pool, four-person tubing runs, the giant “wet” playground, a lazy river, an indoor/outdoor jacuzzi and even more tubing and body slides. Then when the little fishies are ready to dry off it's onto the climbing wall, ropes course, bowling alley, mini golf, arcade, and more!
Boston Kroc Aquatics Park
Part of the Krocs Corps Community Center in Boston, this indoor waterpark is the biggest all-season waterpark in Greater Boston. Highlights include a two-story waterslide, heated lazy river with basketball hoops, volleyball net and water features, as well as a bubble bench, zero-depth pool entry and family locker rooms. Day passes are available if you don't have a membership and are a great deal which makes this waterpark the perfect option for a day of fun with kids regardless of the weather.
Castaway Island (Canobie Lake Park)
Tracy Snyder Molina: Castaway Island at Canobie Lake Amusement Park features water slides, pull ropes, water guns, bridges, water wheels, a large overhead tipping bucket, tidal river and more! Admission to this Boston water park is included in your purchase of Canobie Lake Park tickets when the water park opens over the summer months.
Water Wizz
Amanda Banta: Water Wizz features tube rides, steep and straight slides, lazy river, wave pool, and play areas. For interactive play, Captain Kid's Island is a great spot where visitors of all ages can play, splash and slide and Little Neck Beach is a shallow splash zone designed for the youngest visitors.
Water Park of New England
This nearby indoor water park option for Bostonian has something for kids of all ages; the little ones will love the kiddie pool and the lazy river options, and for the big kids there are four wild waterslides and the obstacle park area. When the kids are ready to dry off they can explore the arcade and grab a snack from the snack bar!
Whale's Tale Waterpark
Amanda Banta: At Whale's Tale Waterpark visitors can flow board or bodyboard at Akua Beach, spin like a hurricane in the Eye of the Storm, or relax in the heated Castaway Cove. Little kids will love the Whale Harbor, a shallow pool with slides, and sprayers.
Pump House Indoor Waterpark (Jay Peak Resort)
Bring the family and dive into a water park adventure at Jay Peak's Pump House! The Pump House offers waterslides, indoor and outdoor hot tubs, and even a poolside bar. Thrill seekers will love La Chute and its 65-foot drop at 45 miles per hour, and visitors seeking a more relaxing experience can cruise down Big River. Day passes are available but schedule in advance to ensure admission. If you're interested in a weekend jam packed with lots of family fun, Jay Peak Resort is great during any season.
Water Country Water Park
Amanda Banta: Water Country is an easy day trip from the Boston area. The park has several attractions specifically designed for the younger set. Older kids (and adults) seeking a thrill should try the Screamer, Black Hole or Warp 8 rides.
Santa's Village Water Park
Amanda Banta: Kids can slide and splash their way through the Christmas-themed water park at Santa's Village, which is included in the price of admission to the larger theme park during the summer months. Enjoy slides, sprayers and a huge dump bucket at Ho Ho H2O, whoosh down one of the JOY Ride Slides, sit poolside in Polar Paradise, or play at Poogee’s Splash Pad. Be sure to bring your own towels and bathing suits!
Splashtown USA Water Park
Amanda Banta: Less than two hours from Boston, Funtown Splashtown is a standard amusement park and waterpark. Guests can purchase combo tickets to enjoy the rides at both Funtown and the water attractions at Splashtown, or purchase tickets for the water park alone. Splashtown Water Park offers water attractions like the Family Fun Lagoon and Pirates Paradise Aquaplay, along with thrilling slides like Liquid Lightning and the Tornado Thrill Slide.
Primary photo: Canobie Lake Park
Upparent collects community-submitted recommendations and reviews, and any ideas that are shared reflect the opinions of individual contributors.