35 Chicago Area Water Parks (What Parents Think)

Alexandra F. said:  This is one of the larger parks in the area. Slides range from a multi-lane smooth mat slide, to a free falling tube slide at 35 mph. Additional attractions include a lazy river, sand beach volleyball, large wave pool, water playground, and play areas designed just for little ones to safely splash and spray.

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.

Lisa R said:  Thrill-seeking kids will love the 3-meter drop slide and diving board while little kids enjoy the interactive play area, zero-depth entry pool, sand play, and spray pad. Everyone can enjoy the 600-ft lazy river.

Lisa R said:  Centennial Aquatic Center features a 42' open flume water, 32' drop slide, diving board, wading pool, splash pad, and sand volleyball court. The city of Oak Lawn boasts a separate splash pad and spray park, too.

Shila said:  Skokie Water Playground features a 14,000 square foot main pool with zero-depth beach entry and, on the other side, an elaborate splash pad area with drenching dump buckets. There's also a separate water slide area, plus a separate water spray ground to run through.

Alexandra F. said:  Centennial Park Aquatic Center offers a zero-depth pool with a water play feature for younger children, various slides, a cliff jump, and a lazy river with waterfalls. Two of the larger slides are a 328-foot tube slide and a 200-foot flume slide.

Lisa R said:  Families with kids of all ages can easily spend an entire day at this large aquatic center run by the Glenview Park District. In addition to a traditional 5 lane, 25-yard lap pool, this complex has a giant zero-depth entry island themed pool with multiple water play features. Big kids will love the water drop slides and three meter diving platform.

Lisa R said:  Families will appreciate the zero-depth entry water play and enclosed toddler areas. Big kids like the flume slides, water basketball, and 3-meter diving board. An on-site concession stand as well as turf and sheltered picnic areas make it easy to stay all day.

Alexandra F. said:  This five-pool water park complex features a high-energy, interactive spray area and splash down pool for their two giant flume slides.

Kristy Pepping said:  Key features include: two water slides (winding and drop slides), water playground and splashpad, zero-depth entry, a tot slide, six-lane lap pool, and diving board.

Shila said:  Mystic Waters features giant water slides, drop slides and cliff dives for the thrill seekers, and a 550-foot lazy river for those in need of a break! For young tots, the Beluga Beach splash pad area features water-spray stands on a non-slip surface and a jungle gym. The Island Café offers lunch, snacks and ice cream; though, coolers are allowed too!

Wheeling Park District's Family Aquatic Center features a water playground with large tipping bucket, tube and body slides, 2 drop slides, zero-depth main pool, splash pool with water basketball and monkey bar activity pad, toddler slide, and sand play area.

Alexandra F. said:  Woodridge Park District's Cypress Cove is a Cajun-themed aquatic park featuring 3 water slides, spray playground with giant dumping buckets, 600-foot lazy river, sand play area, zero-depth pool, concessions and more.

Alexandra F. said:  Elk Grove Park District's Rainbow Falls Waterpark features a tropical-themed facility with a zero-depth pool, lazy river, various body and tube slides, cargo net lily pad leap course, and a three-story water fun house with a giant bucket drop.

Shila said:  Lisle Park District's Sea Lion Aquatic Park features a large swim area with zero-depth entry, water slides, a vortex pool, splash playground, and sand and water play areas.

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.

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.

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.

Kristy Pepping said:  West Chicago Park District's Turtle Splash Waterpark features 5 acres of family fun. You'll find 2 water slides, a 12' waterfall, zero-depth entry into the pool, splash pad area with bucket drops, playground, sandbox, an amazing multi-level playground called Toucan's Hideaway and more.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

Kristy Pepping said:  Kalahari Resorts features an exciting mix of indoor and outdoor rides, slides, and entertainment. The resort has an indoor (84 degrees) waterpark and outdoor waterpark, theme park, salon, kidz spa, and much more. Plus, there are several on-site restaurants to please both sophisticated and picky-eater tastes. Kalahari also features body board surfing, kid-friendly hot tub, character breakfasts, and arcade. An indoor Ferris Wheel stands 6 stories tall within its carnival-like adventure park! Purchase day passes as a guest, or stay at the resort and they will be included.

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.

Lisa R said:  Noah's Ark features water thrill rides, food, and over 80 family activities to enjoy including schooners, arcades, and a dive-in theatre. Also featuring two endless rivers, four children's water play areas, bumper boats, and two giant wave pools. It's recognized as being "America's Largest Waterpark." Parents with young tots can appreciate the exclusive kiddie area and gentle rides. There is lodging adjacent to the water park.

Shila said:  Featuring both indoor & outdoor water parks with more than 2 dozen water slides, huge interactive kiddie play areas, activity pools, lazy river, luxurious poolside cabanas, outdoor hot springs, & more, Chula Vista was designed with the whole family in mind! The resort also features an 18-hole golf course, river walk, hot springs, spa, & plenty of family dining. Water park passes are included in all overnight stays, and day passes are also available for those not staying at the resort.

Kristy Pepping said:  Mt. Olympus Water and Theme Resort offers both indoor and outdoor water parks, as well as thrilling rollercoasters and amusement park rides, like twirling teacups and bumper cars. Take a plunge down several water slides or sit in a hot tub to relax. Lodging options include typical hotel suites, but also tents for camping and unique treehouse beds! Kids love it!