Indoor Waterpark in Indianapolis

Winters in the Midwest are notoriously cold and dreary. If you’re dreaming getting away from the snow and gray gloom, a trip to an indoor water park provides a low-cost alternative to an expensive beach vacation. Travel to Indianapolis and escape to the warm air and water of the two indoor water parks in the city.

Caribbean Cove Indoor Water Park (caribbeancovewaterpark.com) is at Holiday Inn North at the Pyramids, conveniently off I-465 in the city’s northwest corner. You don’t have to stay at the hotel to visit the water park, although admission is included for overnight guests who purchase the water park package. Water park package guests receive first priority for admission, with others on a space-available basis. Caribbean Cove features 50,000 square feet of pools and water features, including two tube water slides that shoot guests outside the building before winding back inside. Other features include a plunge pool, sports activity pool, kids' island with interactive play area, bucket dump station, arcade and café.

For those coming from out of town, the area around Caribbean Cove Indoor Water Park includes a number of lodging options. Staying at the Holiday Inn (holidayinn.com) gives you guaranteed admission to the park, which is attached by interior hallways. Guests can also access a recreation center that includes an additional indoor pool, snack bar and pool tables. For those who wish to stay elsewhere, Days Inn (daysinn.com) and Super 8 (super8.com) are within a block radius of the water park and provide budget-friendly accommodations.

Indy Island (indy.gov) is an indoor water park operated by the City of Indianapolis and open to everyone regardless of residence. In Raymond Park on the city’s southeast side, it’s close to interstates 74 and 465. Plan to visit during a weekday to enjoy discounted admission rates. The year-round indoor park includes a leisure pool, lap pool, water playhouse, spray features, geysers and a water slide. Adults can escape the noise of the play areas by retreating to the adults-only spa. The park has a number of birthday party packages from which to choose.

There are two hotel options under five miles from Indy Island. Baymont Inn and Suites (baymontinns.com) is closest, and includes rooms with microwaves, refrigerators, flat-screen TVs and wireless Internet access. The property serves free breakfast and includes an indoor pool and fitness center. At Best Western Crossroads (bestwestern.com) you can choose from a standard room or upgrade to a spa room. Guests have access to an outdoor pool, free continental breakfast and business center.