Indoor water parks worth a winter road trip from Long Island

Families looking for summer fun in the middle of winter should consider a road trip to a nearby indoor water park. Some amusement sites offer slides with crazy twists and turns, surf simulators, lazy rivers, and even water coasters for thrill-seekers. When you're sick of the water, try mini-golf, explore an aquarium or go ice skating before grabbing a bite. Many of the resorts offer overnight lodging for those seeking a short getaway.

DREAMWORKS WATER PARK

1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, New Jersey

This indoor water park features 40 waterslides and 26 attractions including a 1.5-acre wave pool, Gabby's Splashpad and Kung Fu Panda Temple of Awesomeness, with dump cups, geysers and tipping bucket. Poolside cabanas and skybox suites (fee) are available. Other open attractions include Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park, Legoland Discovery Center, The GAMEROOM, Sea Life Aquarium, Big Snow Ski Hill, Tilt Museum, two indoor 18-hole mini golf courses, NHL-size ice rink and more.

• Cost Water park admission ranges from $59-$99 and sunset tickets are available for the last three hours of the day ($59)
• More info 833-263-7326, americandream.com

CAMELBACK

193 Resort Dr., Tannersville, Pennsylvania

This resort’s water park, Aquatopia, features 13 waterslides, seven pools, a surf simulator, a water coaster, Penguin Play Bay for toddlers, an adventure river and more. Admission is free for resort guests.

• Cost Rates start at about $289 per night (depending on dates). For those not staying overnight, day passes are available with rates beginning at $79.
• More info 570-629-1665, camelbackresort.com

GREAT WOLF LODGE

1 Great Wolf Dr., Scotrun, Pennsylvania

The indoor water park has attractions including an 18-inch-deep toddler pool, a variety of waterslides, a lazy river and a water coaster.

• Cost Rates start at around $212 per night and for those not staying overnight, day passes are available starting at $40 from open to close and $30 from 4 p.m. to close. Prices can vary depending on specials and days of week.
• More info 570-688-9899, greatwolf.com

SIX FLAGS GREAT ESCAPE LODGE

89 Six Flags Dr., Queensbury, New York 

This on-site water park features a white water raft ride, a wave pool for body boarding and surfing, two tube waterslides, a lazy river and an activity structure for younger kids with squirt guns, slides and a tipping bucket.

• Cost Rates start at about $220 per night for up to a family of four. If you are not staying overnight at the lodge, day passes vary by date starting at $45. 
• More info 518-824-6000, sixflagsgreatescapelodge.com

SPLIT ROCK RESORT

100 Moseywood Rd., Lake Harmony, Pennsylvania   

The on-site H2Oooohh! Indoor Waterpark features three four-story waterslides, an activity pool and a zero-entry wave pool. The water park is open on weekends only after Labor Day.

• Cost Rates start at around $160 per night. For those not staying overnight, day passes are available but may be limited when the resort is at capacity. Full-day passes are available for $38 and $33 (under 42 inches tall) for the water park.
• More info 570-722-9111, splitrockhotel.com  

THE KARTRITE RESORT & INDOOR WATERPARK

555 Resorts World Dr., Monticello

Attractions include waterslides for all, including thrill seekers, a lazy river, aquatic basketball, a surf simulator, kiddie section, cabanas and an indoor/outdoor heated spring.

• Cost Rates start at $189 and include four water park passes, additional water park passes can be added for $75 per person, per night. Day passes are available on weekends for $79 for full day, $49 for half day (3 to 7 p.m.), closed Mon.-Wed.
• More info 845-513-8855, thekartrite.com     

KALAHARI RESORT     

250 Kalahari Blvd., Pocon256-829-4187o Manor, Pennsylvania

Attractions at this African-themed indoor water park include a family raft ride, a surf simulator, a basketball pool, a zero-depth activity pool, several slides and themed photo-op activities.

• Cost Rates start at about $200 per night and include the water park admission with your stay. For those not staying overnight, all-day passes are available for $69.99-$99.99, and passes for after 4 p.m. admission are available for $35 and up.
• More info 877-525-2427, kalahariresorts.com  

ROCKING HORSE RANCH 

600 US-44, Highland, New York

Big Splash indoor pool and water slides are kept at 85 degrees and includes the "Water Walk Challenge" and the "Gold Rush Flume" rides. For those looking to relax, Eldorado Hot Springs has an indoor and outdoor hot tub. Attendees can ride horses year-round at this resort. Riding opportunities are available for all levels of experience, and there’s more than 500 acres of trails. Guests can also try the Winter Fun Park, which features snow tubing, ice skating and skiing with complimentary instruction included.

• Cost Rates at this all-inclusive resort start at $499 per night
• More info 800-647-2624, rockinghorseranch.com

SAHARA SAM'S 

535 NJ-73, West Berlin, New Jersey

The indoor water park features fun for everyone. Attractions include the "Raging Rivers" racing waterslide, "The Hidden Oasis," an indoor leisure pool, a surf simulator, "Tiki Tides," where guests can hang in tubes down a lazy river, and the "Jungle Hideout," where kids can play among fountains, slides, rides and more. If you want to take a break from the water, the park offers indoor cabanas ($65.99-$99.99) and an arcade.

• Cost Water park admission starts at $19.99, $6.99 unlimited monthly membership including Clementon Park and Splash World
• More info 856-767-7580, saharasams.com

ALSO TRY: SCOTT'S POINTE 

5835 Middle Country Rd., Calverton

Head to this adventure park, where you can hang ten all year in the indoor surf pool. The waves are made by four pumps that are 180 horsepower each, drawing water from a 100,000-gallon holding tank that sits in a 5-foot-deep concrete pit underneath the pool. A stainless steel structure is built on top of the holding tank that shapes the wave and over that is 4 inches of waterproof matting covered by a pool liner. Participants must be 46 inches tall to bodyboard and 52 inches tall to surf standing up. Visitors can also try laser tag, mini golf, ax throwing, a ninja warrior course and a soft play area.

• Cost General admission is $37.50; There is an additional fee for the surf pool of $30 (beginner) or $45 (advanced) for 30-minutes
• More info 631-953-2133, scottspointe.com