35 Chicago Area Water Parks (What Parents Think)

Shila said:  Bolingbrook Park District's Pelican Harbor features 4 water slides, lazy river, splash pad, beach volleyball, sand play area, lounge chairs, and a zero-depth entry pool.

Shila said:  Vernon Hill's outdoor water park features 3 slides, 2 pools, 1 lazy river, plus so much more.

Alexandra F. said:  Six Flags Great America's water park attractions feature pulse-pounding water slides, relaxing lazy rivers, and family-friendly play areas.

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.

Alexandra F. said:  Barefoot Bay is a New England-themed water park that spans six acres. Key features include a wading pool for toddlers, flume and tube slides, 740-foot lazy river, diving well, zero-depth entry and an AquaClimb poolside climbing wall.

Gina I. said:  This neighborhood waterpark features separate fenced areas for younger kids including a kiddie pool and splash pad with slides and a dump bucket. The waterpark also has a large zero depth pool, funnel slide, and more.

Toucan's Hideaway is an epic West Chicago playground located inside Turtle Splash Water Park. You'll need to pay water park admission to access the playground, but with giant slides, rope bridges, an in-ground bouncer and more, the playground is an awesome destination on its own or as a break from the water park. The water park itself has two water slides, a 12-foot waterfall, zero-depth entry into the pool, splash pad area with bucket drops. Parking is free and there is an on-site cafe.

Summer only

Shila said:  Fox Valley Park District and the City of Aurora co-own a family-friendly aquatic center that features many different water slides, a zero depth entry leisure pool, and a tot-friendly splash pad with tons of spray guns, waterfalls, and sprinklers.

Alexandra F. said:  Co-owned with the City of Aurora, main attractions at Splash Country Water Park include a zero-depth pool, enclosed water play area with interactive features such as spray guns and water falls, sand play area, tube slides, and a 1,100-foot long lazy river that happens to be the second-largest lazy river in Illinois!

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!

Alexandra F. said:  Illinois' largest waterpark has activities for the entire family, including a 600-foot-long family raft ride, exhilarating speed slides, and an enormous wave pool.

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.

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.

Located just 30 minutes from Milwaukee, this indoor water park features thrilling tube and body slides, a meandering lazy river, an activity pool, and the Geyser Games Arcade. Older kids and adults can relax in the indoor/outdoor hot tub, and the smallest guests will have a blast in the zero-depth Waukesha Water Works.

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!