Visit The Largest Indoor Water Park At This Popular US Tourist Destination

No matter the weather outside, it's always 84 and sunny at the indoor waterpark at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in the Poconos Mountains of Pennsylvania. The 220,000-square-foot park has attractions for whatever mood you're in, whether you want to relax on the lazy river or splash around inside a spiraling waterslide at 40 miles an hour. The inspiration behind the park is a deep love of Africa, showcased through the themed decor and names of the rides, like the Anaconda, Barreling Baboon, and Rippling Rhino.

Not only is this Kalahari location the largest indoor water park in America, but it's also the first and only one with a virtual reality water slide. Upon entering, you'll grab a headset and open your eyes to another world, like floating through space or racing through a jungle. Visitors can choose from multiple realities, giving you a unique experience each time. Admission to the slide costs $9.99, which gives you access all day, taking as many trips as you'd like.

Kalahari has attractions for visitors of all ages. If you have a family with small children, head over to Tiko's Watering Hole, a shallow play area with pint-size slides, splash tables, and a mini lazy river. Coral Cove is another gem with more slides, swings, and mini basketball. The Splashdown Safari has an impressive jungle gym as well, with a zero-entry pool, crawl spaces, and a tipping bucket that soaks visitors every few minutes.

Families with older children will love bodyboarding or surfing in the FlowRider wave pool, which simulates the ocean with five-foot waves. For a little friendly competition, head to the Cheetah Race, where you'll grab a mat, lay on your belly, and race two other people down the slide. If you love a good drop, the Screaming Hyena starts 60 feet above the floor. For some serious twists and turns, check out the Sahara Sidewinder, a slide that takes you through a 360-degree loop, much like a gravity-defying roller coaster.

After a long day, enjoy a little R&R at the indoor-outdoor spa, where you can move from one pool to the other without ever having to leave the water. For guests over the age of 21, the Paxton Grotto and Thirsty Turtle offer swim-up bars where you can order drinks. And, of course, no trip to Kalahari would be complete without a loop on the lazy river that winds around the park.

The water park is open to visitors staying at the resort or dropping in with a day pass. All-day admission costs $69, or you can come after 4 p.m. and pay $45, bearing in mind that prices are subject to change. There are complementary life vets available at the entrance, as all guests under four feet tall are required to put them on. Make sure that you plan for refreshments in your trip budget as well, as there are no outdoor food or drinks allowed inside.

If you want to stay onsite and extend the family fun, the resort can accommodate a range of group sizes, from three to 22 people. Before check-in, visitors can enter the park as early as 10 a.m. After check out, you can stay inside the park as late as 3 p.m. The waterpark is open on the weekdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. On Friday and Saturday, the park closes at 9 p.m., that way, you can squeeze in a little extra adventure.