Whether it’s due to cold weather or wanting to get out of the sun and heat, some families prefer to visit water parks that are indoors. While there aren’t many big water parks close to DC, there are still plenty of facilities in the DMV that give families a chance to engage in some indoor water fun.
THE BEST OPTION IN DC
Deanwood Aquatic Center
Favorite Features: A large looping slide, and plenty of pool space dedicated to recreation.
What to Know: While not quite a water park, it has more water features than most pools in the district. It’s near the Deanwood stop on the Orange Line, making it highly accessible to families in DC proper.
Location: 1350 49th St NE, Washington, DC
PG AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MARYLAND INDOOR WATER PARKS
The DMV’s Maryland suburbs have quite a few options that provide more things to do for families looking for water park fun.
Rollingcrest Chillum Splash Pool
Favorite Features: A pirate-themed splash pool with very little standing water to mitigate any risk of drowning, making it a safe place for nonswimmers to play.
What to Know: Lifeguards on duty
Location: 6122 Sargent Rd., Chillum, Md.
Germantown Indoor Swim Center
Favorite Features: Tropical theming and small slides that are perfect for younger children to play on without having to worry about as many larger children being rowdy.
What to Know: The facility is fully accessible, with lifts, ramps and elevators for navigating around inside and a zero-drop pool entry ramp into the children’s pool.
Location: 18000 Central Park Cir., Boyds, Md.
NORTHERN VIRGINIA WATER PARKS
Cub Run Rec Center Indoor Water Park
Favorite Features: Not only does it have slides, water jets, cannons and sprays and water vortex, but it boasts a full indoor lazy river.
What to Know: Access to the pool and its various features can be limited based on staff availability and whether classes are going on at that time, which can be checked on the calendar or by calling the center.
Location: 4630 Stonecroft Blvd., Chantilly, Va.
Long Bridge Aquatics and Fitness Center
Favorite Features: This aquatic center features a lazy river as well, to naturally accompany its large water slide and other water play structures with spray fountains unleashing showers of fun.
What to Know: The center has 1-, 3- and 5-meter diving boards, but a diving coach’s supervision is required to use them.
Location: 333 Long Bridge Dr., Arlington, Va.
Super, Awesome & Amazing
Favorite Features: The water park has splash pads, slides, dump buckets and sprayers, and it’s part of an indoor play facility that also includes climbing and obstacle courses and an arcade for when the kids want a break from being wet and wild (and are moving to dry and wild).
What to Know: Super, Awesome & Amazing is a part of the St. James sports and fitness complex.
Location: 6805 Industrial Rd., Springfield, Va.
Outside the DMV
North Arundel Aquatic Center Water Park
Favorite Features: A 134-foot water slide, splashdown area, water buckets, preschooler-appropriate water slide and a vortex area.
What to Know: With the variety of features available, this water park is the most “all ages” park north of DC on our list, unless you’re willing to travel a good bit further.
Location: 7888 Crain Hwy. S, Glen Burnie, Md.
Massanutten Indoor Water Park
Favorite Features: A large indoor water fortress, lazy river and slides on a scale beyond what most closer parks can offer. Also includes the option to learn how to surf with their unique indoor FlowRider system, with 50,000 gallons of water flowing under you like an ocean wave but with modifiable intensity.
What to Know: Massanutten has an indoor and outdoor waterpark, so make sure any research you do pertains to the right one. Also, to use the FlowRider System, you must be at least 42″ tall to learn to bodysurf and at least 52″ tall to learn to stand up.
Location: 1822 Resort Dr., Massanutten, Va.
Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg.
Favorite Features: Spans over 55,000 square feet and features a lazy river, water slides of a variety of intensities (including the funnel slide Howlin’ Tornado) and its signature play structure, the towering Fort Mackenzie.
What to Know: The attractions on its website can be filtered by intensity, making browsing for things that catch your eye (and taste) a breeze.
Location: 549 East Rochambeau Dr., Williamsburg, Va.
Great Wolf Lodge Perryville,
Favorite Features: Guests can explore Otter Cove, ride the Crooked Creek or enjoy its many slides including the Wolf Tail, a thrilling drop-slide that features a full 360-degree loop known as the Wolf Tail.
What to Know: This park is massive, covering 126,000 square feet, so getting around it will take a good bit of movement.
Location: 1240 Chesapeake Overlook Pkwy, Perryville, Md.
No matter where in the DC area you live, a day of indoor water fun is right around the corner!
Liam McCrickard holds a B.A. in creative and professional writing from Goucher College. He is assistant editor at Washington Parent. He also works as a freelance designer, writer and editor of tabletop role-playing games.
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Liam McCrickard holds a B.A. in creative and professional writing from Goucher College. He is former assistant editor at Washington Parent. He works as a freelance designer, writer and editor of tabletop role-playing games.
Liam McCrickard holds a B.A. in creative and professional writing from Goucher College. He is former assistant editor at Washington Parent. He works as a freelance designer, writer and editor of tabletop role-playing games.
