Wisconsin ranks in the top 5 states for number of water parks, but don’t worry: they aren’t all in Wisconsin Dells.
Within an hour’s drive of downtown Milwaukee—and also right in town — are quite a few options for splashing in pools and riding down waterslides. Open from Memorial Day through Labor Day, those parks that are open-air are the perfect way to celebrate summer as you work on your tan, barrel down a slide or swim laps. Fortunately, there are also indoor water parks nearby to keep the fun going through the cooler months (hello, staycation!).
Cool Waters Family Aquatic Park
Tucked into Greenfield Park, Cool Waters Family Aquatic Park has all the goods for a full day of fun, including tube and body waterslides, sand-volleyball courts and a heated pool. Special areas for children—like a children’s waterslide and playground—means everyone can have fun. No need to pack a lunch because Cool’s Café has you covered.
2028 S. 124th St., West Allis
TOSA Pool at Hoyt Park
Located in Hoyt Park, TOSA Pool includes not only a slide to zip down but also open-swim times for adults (check the website). In 2011, it opened after an extensive restoration. Throughout the summer, you’ll find fun events for season-pass members, like a luau party, ice-cream-sundae night, movie nights and live music.
1800 N. Swan Blvd., Wauwatosa
David F. Schulz Aquatic Center
Open since 2009, the David F. Schulz Aquatic Center in Lincoln Park has a lazy river, a pool for team sports (like water basketball), and tube and body slides that will have you shrieking with glee. Food and beverages are served on site.
1301 W. Hampton Ave., Milwaukee
Country Springs Hotel’s Water Park
Country Springs Hotel boasts the Milwaukee area’s most popular water park—and it’s entirely indoors. Included in the 45,000-square-foot mecca are chutes, body slides, a lazy river, an attraction called Waukesha Waterworks (imagine 600 gallons of water dumping over you) and a pool. Grab some grub at the water park’s saloon and snack bar.
2810 Golf Rd., Pewaukee
Blue Harbor Resort & Spa
If you have a hard time choosing between the pool and the beach, then this is your place because you can have both. Right along the Lake Michigan shoreline, Blue Harbor Resort’s Breaker Bay water park features a 3,600-foot-long river to float down in a tube, four waterslides and four levels of activities that include a surf simulator so you can ‘hang–ten.’
725 Blue Harbor Dr., Sheboygan
Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark
At the 50,000-square-foot Moose Mountain Falls at Timber Ridge Lodge, Timber Rapids’ water chute stands 35 feet high, but if that’s not your speed there is also a lazy river, slides and child-friendly attractions. When you get tired of the water park (yeah, like that’s going to happen!) sit down for BBQ or nosh at the food court.
7020 Grand Geneva Way, Lake Geneva
