With all of the sunshine and swimming, no Pittsburgher wants summer to end! But, sure enough, by September schools are back in session, and it seems that summer is indeed ending. By the holidays, families are into their normal routines and all of the water fun is sadly long gone.
Fortunately, for those of us who aren’t ready to succumb to the cold weather, there are many indoor pools and water parks around, many a short drive from the city.
Located in Erie, Pennsylvania, Splash Lagoon is a popular waterpark that is continually ranked in the Top 10 Water Park Resorts in the United States. The Holiday Inn Express, Hawthorn Inn & Suites and The Comfort Inn & Suites are all connected to the park, which comes in handy when visiting in the winter months. Splash Lagoon opened in 2003 and is home to hot tubs, a wave pool and several water slides, as well as a rope course, arcade and restaurants.
Christy and Nick Hiller, from Irwin, take their sons, Noah (14) and Jacob (7), to Splash Lagoon every year over Christmas break. It’s become a family tradition and something that both kids can enjoy.
“We love taking our boys to Splash Lagoon on Christmas Day in lieu of gifts,” Christy Hiller says. “It’s perfect because we’re not effected by the cold weather.”
Located in the Pocono Mountains, Camelback Resort is Pennsylvania’s largest outdoor waterpark. But in the winter months, vacationers can enjoy Aquatopia, the resort’s indoor park. Located in Tannersville, Aquatopia is a four-hour drive from Pittsburgh and about 90 miles from both Philadelphia and New York City.
Aquatopia is home to pools and a warm spa, 13 water slides, many interactive water features and raft rides. Families can rent private cabanas, and there are nearby shops and restaurants for when you want to take a break from the water.
Kalahari Resorts & Conventions has five locations in the U.S., with Sandusky, Ohio (three-hour drive) and Pocono Manor (four-hour drive) being the closest to Pittsburgh.
Dawn O’Neil-Szabo and husband Steve Szabo venture to Kalahari every winter for their daughters’ competitive cheer. “We like the convenience of the convention center being part of the resort,” Dawn O’Neil-Szabo says. “It makes it easier for us on competition days.”
The couple, who live in Ruffsdale, have three daughters—Amelia (12), Stella (16) and Roni (22). Roni O’Neil-Szabo doesn’t compete but will still tag along. Stella cheered competitively for years, though she recently stepped back to enjoy high school. The entire family still goes to support Amelia.
“The food selection is good, and we have never had any issues while there,” says Dawn O’Neil-Szabo. “We have always felt that Kalahari is very accommodating with us needing a handicap room close to the waterpark and convention center for my husband.”
Overnight guests can start enjoying their day as early as noon the day of check-in and are welcome to stay until 3 p.m. the day of check-out. In addition to the waterslides and pools, Kalahari offers an escape room, miniature golf, laser tag, a game room, a 7-D motion theater, an animal park and many dining options. For parents, there is a salon and spa, salt therapy room and a fitness center.
Kalahari also offers a sensory-friendly calming room for guests who need to take some time away from the all of the stimulation. Kalahari’s website states, “Our calming room exists to provide a safe and convenient place for our guests with sensory processing difficulties to visit with the hope that it provides a bit of comfort during your time with us.”
Great Wolf Lodge has several sites in the U.S. and Canada and, like Kalahari, has locations in Sandusky and the Poconos. There are locations in Niagara Falls and Cincinnati, too—all of which are a few hours drive from Pittsburgh.
Stacy Barnett’s family enjoyed a long weekend at Great Wolf’s Sandusky location last spring when they were in town for a soccer tournament. “They have water fun for all age groups, including adults,” Barnett says. She and her sons, Trevor (9) and Tristan (11), were accompanied by their uncle and grandmother.
“My boys enjoyed bowling, water slides, the arcade and the buffet,” says Barnett, who live in Pennsylvania. “It’s a great park for those with young children.”
All rooms have a microwave and refrigerator, which makes for quick and easy meals. Barnett packed snacks, fruit and plenty of water, but the family also chose to eat at the resort at times. “We enjoyed eating there for at least one meal a day and treated ourselves to the ice cream shop,” she says. Stacy ordered food with the mobile app, and payments could be charged to a credit card or by using a guest wristband.
Additional fun indoor water parks include Split Rock Resort’s H2Oooohh! Indoor Waterparks, Lake Harmony and Hershey Lodge Indoor Waterpark, located in
Hershey, Pennsylvania.
Looking for a little less excitement?
Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Champion offers year-round indoor swimming and outdoor hot tubs, which are free for overnight guests. The resort also has bowling, miniature golf, a game room, and, naturally, plenty of skiing for those who dare to brave the cold weather.
For more information on these and other indoor water parks and pools, check out the parks’ websites or visitpa.com.
Leslie Savisky is a freelance writer and author. She lives in southwestern PA with her husband and daughter—all three loveto swim!