Main image courtesy of Ultimate Waterpark. 

Are you excited about summer approaching and sick of the cold winter months? Are you looking for something to do while it’s super hot outside? Well, it’s time to let your hair down, conjure up some flip flops, and get drenched at these family-friendly waterparks with impressive rides and easy room accommodations. 

If you’re anything like me this summer, despite the glorious weather you’re still stressed. Trash needs to be taken out, dishes need to be washed, the car needs gas, and those demonic bills need to get paid!

But no matter what, now that it’s summer, we can agree on one thing: it’s hot. Get ready to go out and spend some time at these amazing water parks near Sandusky, Ohio and get your thrill on!

Kalahari

The Vatican City of Waterparks

7000 Kalahari Drive | Sandusky | kalahariresorts.com

No, not calamari, the fried octopus dish. Ironically named after a desert in Southern Africa (I see you, Kalahari) the resort promises a vacation extravaganza that appeals to all ages with their full range of in-house amenities. Seriously, it’s impressive.

Exceptional Dining

Kalahari boasts six eating options in their waterpark, three signature restaurants, and even a market where you can buy unique food and drinks. You won’t even need to leave the waterpark to find some delicious grub! Just like everything else in Kalahari, the food caters to all ages and a range of different tastes, but believe me, the food is just the beginning.

Activities

Feeling like having a spa day to take a vacation from your vacation? Check.

How about a full-blown safari experience where you can help take care of giraffes with the kids? Check! What if you meet the love of your life after colliding together on a water slide and want to have a shotgun wedding? Kalahari can do that too! (they also host smaller events like birthday parties.)

There are also awesome excursions like bowling alleys, laser tag, mini golf, a 7-D movie theater, and an entire room dedicated to virtual reality experiences. Their full range of activities promises to provide adventure for anybody, and we haven’t even gotten to the waterpark yet! Boasting 174,000 square feet of attractions, Kalahari is Ohio’s largest indoor waterpark, with dozens of rides that range from tranquil to extreme. Whether you’re a lazy-river-regular, or “literally just drop my body straight down, with some water too” sounds more your speed, Kalahari has it. 

Even if you’ve been there before, the resort has installed quite a few new rides and slides, so it’s definitely worth a return visit.

Price

Starting at just $45 for an all-day pass ($35 for patrons under 42 inches), with discounts for groups of 10 or more, this promises to be an affordable and unforgettable family experience. 

Great Wolf Lodge 

Named After the Founder’s Cat

4600 Milan Road | Sandusky | greatwolf.com

Great Wolf Lodge is a staple of childhood for many youngsters in the midwest, and for good reason. With unforgettable water rides, great food, and a menagerie of amazing experiences that will keep your family smiling all the way through, Great Wolf Lodge is a beautiful experience your family will thank you for for years to come.

Fine Dining

While the kids are put in the spotlight, the lodge also has some accoutrements for the parents as well, with food and wine pairings, a gourmet grill, and even a fitness center for staying fit and energized. And to give yourself a reward for all that grueling water-sliding and wine drinking, you could head off to the sweet shop for some treats! I love all candy equally, but vacation candy tastes sweetest.

Activities for Maximum Fun

With a clear slant towards their younger audiences, this resort has activities like story time, character appearances of the lodge’s cast of furry friends, and pj parties. There’s a clear focus on maintaining enriching and interesting activities for kids from toddlers to teens to enjoy, and they have an interactive list to show you all the exciting things your family might be interested in doing, but there are some other activities labeled “attractions” on their site that you definitely don’t want to miss. 

If you literally want to make your child love you for life, take them to the Creation Station, a Build-A-Bear style establishment that lets your child pick out a stuffed animal that they can customize and truly make their own. I remember doing this as a kid, and I kept that thing for YEARS. It’s special, and unless you’re trying to lose your “Best Parent of the Year” award, definitely check it out.

Price

With a whole host of slides, water-forts, and pools that kids can enjoy themselves in, Great Wolf Lodge is a must for your child’s summer. And if you book 60 days in advance, you can receive 50% off your stay with a membership! What a steal! Looks like youth ISN’T wasted on the young.

Castaway Bay 

Cedar Point’s indoor water park is something you don’t want to miss!

2001 Cleveland Road | Sandusky | castawaybay.com

If you are looking for the ultimate indoor water park to check out, then you need to go to Cedar Point’s very own indoor water park! Not only do they have their amusement park full of roller coasters, but their water park is something truly incredible to see as well. Opening up for the first time this coming spring of 2022, this is a place that you don’t want to miss out on because not only will it be a place that is family-friendly, but if you live nearby, it is something that you can do if you have a day full of time you want to kill.

Dining Experience

Castaway Bay is a unique hotel resort experience that you will appreciate that also has their very own dining area as well. At Castaway Bay, you can enjoy food from the very unique Quaker Steak & Lube where you can enjoy some of the best chicken wings in the country with over 25 different flavors of sauces, and you can also enjoy food from Bay Harbor. Bay Harbor’s food is considered to be a place to enjoy fresh seafood, pasta, steak, prime rib, and much more.

Fun Things to Do

We know that you probably want to make the most of your time at Castaway Bay, and let us tell you that there are plenty of fun things you can do there! There are so many things to do in the waterpark itself, such as checking out the amazing water slides, floating in the wave pool, relaxing in their very own lazy river, or even checking out the snack shack. If you’re dried off and want to check out something different to do, make sure to check out their very own arcade with a lot of fun games that you will thoroughly enjoy. 

Price

Something that is super unique about Castaway Bay is that you can actually plan your trip and build your own package for it too! Since it is connected to Cedar Point, you can add Cedar Point tickets to your package so there are days where you can go to both the water park and ride some of the country’s best roller coasters too. So you can also choose which size room that you want too and it can range from $130 to $200 a night.

Well there you have it folks! Three amazing watery attractions for all ages, set amidst a variety of other sites that make Sandusky interesting for everyone to visit. Enjoy your summers!