Even in the winter months, there are many sunny, warm locales that are within reach in the United States. And let’s face it, splashing in the water is fun for everyone and a great way to bond with family and friends and get everyone cheered up.
When you just have to get some water fun, don’t just look at beach locations, remember that many family water parks also provide the experience that you’re looking for. Water parks offer family fun activities together, and usually closer to home. Many have resorts and hotels nearby, and the indoor parks offer the bonus of never having to worry about the weather.
Let’s start with sunny beaches – here are a few traveler’s favorites.
San Juan, Puerto Rico
When you find yourself surrounded with sparkling blue water and 6th Century colonial architecture, you may think that you have traveled to another country. But this trip to a US territory doesn’t require a passport and offers you all of the pleasures of a Caribbean vacation.
Explore the local foods like empanadillas and the delicious fried cod patties known as bacalaitos. Do a little research beforehand so that you can enjoy the local street vendors and food trucks.
Hawaii
Hawaii offers many options for families to get away and warm up on the beach in the wintertime. While Oahu is better known, Kaua’I is a much slower, relaxed area offering many experiences on the water and new foods to enjoy. The beach at Kailua is an ideal beach with gentle waves. This makes it a great place to enjoy snorkeling, kayaking and kiteboarding.
Grand Isle, Louisiana
When you are looking for a winter beach vacation spot that is off the beaten path, consider Grand Isle. While this island is crowded with tourists during the summer months, during the winter it is a closely guarded secret. You’ll still enjoy a warm climate, sunny beaches and some of the best food around. Take a dip in the warm waters then relax on the beach before heading off to dig into rich Cajun gumbo for supper.
Biloxi, Mississippi
When you and your family are looking for long stretches of white sandy beaches, Biloxi is a perfect choice for the wintertime. There are 28 miles of beach along the Gulf Coast shoreline. Relax on the beach, enjoy a variety of water sports and fishing opportunities or take a ride on the Betsy Ann Riverboat and connect with history and fun. At the end of the day, there are many dining options and the local casinos to keep everyone entertained.
And here are some of the best water parks in the USA to splash away those winter blues.
There are both pros and cons to choosing a location for your amusement park. If you select a site, some decision factors will carry more weight, so prioritize them. Having chosen the right place for your trip, the next step is to determine how extensive the park will be, how it will be strategically developed, what underwater structures to be installed to attract a wide range of visitors. Vortex USA solutions provide sustainable facilities as they conserve water and other and are built to last, season after season.
Kalahari Indoor Waterpark, Wisconsin
When it gets cold in Wisconsin, the place to go is the largest water park, Kalahari Indoor Waterpark in Wisconsin Dells. As the largest enclosed water park in the United States, it offers fun rides for everyone in your family. This resort offers water slides, tube rides, surfing simulators and pools for younger guests – this is important if you’re still giving your kids swimming lessons.
When you’re ready to relax and take a break, take a trip down the lazy, winding river. To make everyone comfortable for a day at the park, cabanas are available for rent. These are equipped with refrigerators, TV and lounge chairs so that everyone can take a much needed break.
Cascades Indoor Waterpark, New York
While many people visit upstate New York for the fall leaves and the beauty of the finger lakes, families seeking water fun head to Cascades Indoor Waterpark in Cortland, NY. This park features 41,000 square ft. of water activities for every person in your family. With three water slides and multiple pools, everyone can splash the day away. Relax in a hot tub or swim in the heated pool.
Everyone will find many water adventures to explore at this water park. As with all travel nowadays, follow all the pandemic procedures each venue has in place, and think about getting a rapid test for infection for all the family before you go to stay anywhere – a clean bill of health is always a positive note to any adventure.
SoundWaves, Tennessee
Located in Nashville, SoundWaves at the Gaylord Opryland Resort is an enormous 111,000 square foot water park offering three levels of family fun. You’ll find surfing and boogie boarding alongside rafting rides. If you have the courage, take the plunge with the giant waterslide where you loop down through a vortex. When the day is done, there are many dining and entertainment options to keep everyone happy.
Wild Waterdome, Smoky Mountains
Under a glass roof that lets the tanning rays of the sun in all year, this water park allows you to soak up the sun and enjoy the water even when it’s cold outside. Try the Runaway Canyon, a five-story rafting adventure that takes the whole family on loops and twisty turns before culminating in a 60-ft slide into an awaiting pool.
Other water adventures that are more suitable for younger guests ensure that everyone in the family has fun in the sun and water. This water park is part of the Wilderness at the Smokies resort, and is available only for hotel guests. So you may want to stay days in the hotel for the water, and move out to one of the countless rental cabins close to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, for a mix of summer and winter in the same trip!