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    Water Parks in Maryland

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    water parks in maryland

    Best Water Parks in Maryland

    Looking for the best water parks in Maryland? That will depend on where you live. For example, a quick internet search for water parks in Frederick Maryland will pull up some different results than searching for the best water parks in Ocean City. Maryland’s largest populated areas are Baltimore and the area around Washington, D.C., while its biggest summer vacation destination is Ocean City. That said, fun water parks in Maryland are pretty much found in or around these areas. If you don’t live near one of these places, you may have to make a bit of a drive to get there…which can be part of the fun.

    Sometimes a search for the best water parks in Maryland depends on the rest of your vacation plans. For instance, if you are looking to pair a water park visit to some other activity, you might search for hotels with water parks in Maryland. Or, if you are only looking to spend an afternoon at the water park, you might find something better and more affordable at your local rec center pool. If you’re traveling with a camper, there are some campgrounds with water parks in Maryland, but the best one is near Ocean City (more on that later).

    Indoor and outdoor water parks in Maryland can provide residents with some cool fun during the summer months. Unlike other states like California and Florida, Maryland does have seasonal changes. During the fall, winter, and early spring, certain outdoor activities are just not doable because of the weather. However, there are some water parks in Maryland that are indoors, as you will see. Other parks are only open during the summer, which is fine, because that’s when the weather makes sense for slides and outdoor splashing.

    While there are some big water parks in Maryland, there are also some great options for travelers who are willing to go farther afield into Pennsylvania and Virginia. However, if you are looking to stay more local, there are also some great options…for example, water parks in Columbia, Maryland or water parks in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Some of these places are just recreation centers—parks in Maryland with water slides and other fun things for kids and families, along with aquatic classes and swim lessons. Then of course, there are some of the best water parks in Maryland in and around Ocean City, for those travelers who are already headed to the beach.

    Let’s take a look at indoor water parks, outdoor water parks, and some of the parks around Maryland’s main summer vacay spot:

    INDOOR WATER PARKS IN MARYLAND

    The East Coast is known for its changing seasons, and that includes winter. But just because it’s snowing outside doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some waterslides. Some of the best water parks in Maryland are indoors, and many of them are at local rec centers. That means you don’t have to turn your indoor water park visit into a whole vacation; it can just be a day trip or afternoon activity. Check the outcome of these indoor water parks in Maryland:

    1. North Arundel Aquatic Center

    This aquatic center in Glen Burnie, Maryland has a 134-foot water slide, waterfalls, tipping buckets, and a smaller slide for preschool aged children. Since this is a smaller water park, it is recommended that you purchase tickets the day before online. The pool is open from 6:00 AM until 5:45 PM Monday through Friday, and 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM on weekends. Since it is a rec center, it’s also closed on holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. However, for all other days of the year this can be a great water park option, especially if you’re looking for an indoor water park in Baltimore, Maryland—although it’s not actually in Charm City, it’s just 45 minutes away, and near other fun attractions like the Arundel Mills Mall and Maryland Live Casino.

    2. Germantown Indoor Swim Center

    This aquatic center in Glen Burnie, Maryland has a 134-foot water slide, waterfalls, tipping buckets, and a smaller slide for preschool-aged children. Since this is a smaller water park, it is recommended that you purchase tickets the day before online. The pool is open from 6:00 AM until 5:45 PM Monday through Friday, and 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM on weekends. Since it is a rec center, it’s also closed on holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. However, for all other days of the year this can be a great water park option, especially if you’re looking for an indoor water park in Baltimore, Maryland—although it’s not actually in Charm City, it’s just 45 minutes away, and near other fun attractions like the Arundel Mills Mall and Maryland Live Casino.

    3. Francis Scott Key Family Resort

    There are actually not a lot of indoor water parks in Ocean City, Maryland, but there is one: Caribbean Key at Francis Scott Key Family Resort. This is a pirate-themed pool space decorated with palm trees and island scenery. Just like a real tropical beach, the indoor pool starts out at about 6 inches and goes to 4 feet at its deepest point, making it a very family friendly option. A small water slide, splash bucket, spouting whale, and pipe fountains are some of the exciting attractions for young swimmers. The roof can be opened in warmer weather and there is also an outdoor pool with a pirate ship playground and a toddler pool.

    OUTDOOR WATER PARKS IN MARYLAND

    1. Six Flags America

    About halfway between Washington D.C. and Annapolis is Six Flags America, which features one of the best outdoor water parks in Maryland. Attractions include Hurricane Bay, which is a wave pool. If you’re looking for a relaxing ride down a lazy river, there is the Wahoo River. There are a number of closed and open slides, along with the Halfpipe and the Hammerhead, which ends with a spin around a funnel. For younger visitors, there is a fun playground to splash around at Buccaneer Beach. A quick search for water parks in Columbia Maryland or water parks in Annapolis Maryland will definitely pull up Six Flags. Coupled with the theme park it can make an entire weekend trip.

    2. Frontier Town

    Frontier Town is an RV campground just outside of Assateague Island, Maryland. There is a putt-putt course (mini golf) along with a few other attractions like a Wild West Town complete with a gun fight show. Then of course, there is also the outdoor water park, which includes two large winding slides, a lazy river, and a splash pool with fun things to play with and climb on. Frontier Town is very close to Ocean City and all its attractions and beaches, along with the wild horses at Assateague Island. It’s one of the best water parks in Maryland especially when you consider all the other fun attractions it offers.

    3. Water Park at Bohrer Park

    This water park and outdoor recreation center is one of those water parks in Maryland that is only open to county residents in Montgomery County. The pool is decorated with palm trees to give it a tropical vibe, making you feel like you’re at a tropical resort. Main attractions include a 250-foot double water slide (one open, one closed), along with floating animal rafts and a tumble bucket. The water park is open from May 28th until September 5th. From June 17th to August 26th the park is open until 7:00 PM and you can get a discount on your ticket if you show up after 5:30 PM. The zero-depth entry of the main pool makes it family friendly for swimmers of all ages to wade in.

    4. Chesapeake Beach Water Park

    You don’t have to travel all the way to the Ocean to enjoy a fun outdoor water park; there’s one right on the Chesapeake Bay, about 30 minutes away from Washington, DC. Chesapeake Beach features pool activities and cabana rentals for a day of private relaxation. A wide river circles the main pool, which has some water play features and a very tall water slide at the top of a lighthouse. If you’re a fan of seafood then a trip to this waterpark could be paired with a visit to the nearby Rod N Reel Resort.

    WATER PARKS IN OCEAN CITY MARYLAND

    Looking for water parks in Ocean City, Maryland? The Jolly Roger Splash Mountain Waterpark is a favorite among visitors. There are 16 different slides and attractions, including a kiddie pool and a rainforest. If you’re on the more daring side, Splash Mountain is one of the best water parks in Maryland: the Master Blaster shoots riders uphill in a torrential spray, and the Aqua Loop will send you around and around, while the Stealth will send you down a 45 foot tall halfpipe. There’s also a River Rapids ride and the infamous Black Hole.

    THUNDER LAGOON AT VIKING GOLF AND GO CARTS

    One of the greatest water parks in Maryland for young families is actually in Delaware. Thunder Lagoon is at the northern end of Ocean City, which is a little more on the quiet side. This waterpark has a fun sandy beach area, a wide meandering lazy river, and a tower with several different types of open and closed slides. There is also a miniature golf course, a go kart track, and then Hershey’s Creamery for ice cream, making a visit to Thunder Lagoon something that could take up an afternoon for a family with small kids.
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