Missouri Hotels with Indoor Waterparks
Missouri offers plenty of outdoor water recreation, what with the Lake of the Ozarks and all the rivers, streams, and lakes throughout the state. For man-made fun, there are also major theme parks like Six Flags and Silver Dollar City. But what to do when the weather is uncooperative, as it often is in the Show-Me State? For many residents and visitors to the state, the answer is an indoor water park. To help you find the best spot for some weatherproof fun, here’s a rundown of indoor water parks in Missouri.
Unlike many of the major indoor water parks in colder states like Wisconsin and Minnesota, these resorts probably aren’t expansive enough to be worth a trip on their own. But then, they don’t have to be. They’re located in areas (Kansas City, Branson, and Lake of the Ozarks) where there are other major attractions nearby. Staying at one of these hotels can add hours of enjoyment to an already-fun vacation, especially if you’re traveling with youngsters.
CoCo Key Water Resort (Kansas City, MO)
The largest indoor water park in Missouri is right next door to where the Royals and Chiefs play. Located within walking distance of the Truman Sports Complex, the CoCo Key Water Resort consists of about 55,000 square feet of slides, rides, and other amusements. It’s connected to a Holiday Inn, so you can book a room and never leave the cozy confines of the complex while going to and from the water park. Admission is included with the rooms, but you can also buy day passes separately.
If you’re in Kansas City for a sporting event – or just need a weatherproof activity to keep the family entertained for an afternoon – the CoCo Key Water Resort is the place to go. This indoor water park is right across the street from the Truman Sports Complex where the Royals and Chiefs play. It’s also connected to a Holiday Inn, so you can swim and slide without ever having to go outside.
CoCo Key is a chain of indoor water parks with (virtually identical) locations throughout the country. While not as spacious or elaborate as some of the country’s best indoor water parks, the CoCo Key Water Resort in Kansas City is large for the region. As suggested by the name, it’s designed with a Key West theme.
Accommodations
If you’ve ever stayed at a Holiday Inn, then the accommodations at the Holiday Inn Kansas City – SE will be familiar. It offers all the usual options and amenities, including a fitness center for extended stays. There are also separate indoor and outdoor pools – in case you’re not in the mood for all the rowdiness of the water park.
Speaking of the water park, admission is included in the price of your room. Day passes are also available to the general public, so you don’t have to stay at the Holiday Inn to take advantage of the climate-controlled water fun. However, general public admission is limited, so make sure you have a backup plan if you decide to stay elsewhere.
Slides and Rides
At 55,000 square feet, the Coco Key Water Resort is a good-sized facility that includes all the must-have features of an indoor water park. It lacks a standout feature, however, and the activities seem much more geared toward small children than adult thrill-seekers. That said, it does offer opportunities for parents and adults to splash around together, making it a perfect place for some family time. For people who live in the area, it’s also a good place to host a birthday party or other event.
Here’s the laundry list of attractions:
- Tube and Body Slides
- Lazy River
- Kiddie Playground
- Spa Area for Grownups
- Arcade Onsite (includes ticket redemption)
Castle Rock Resort and Waterpark (Branson, MO)
Another decent-sized indoor water park is in the music mecca of Branson. The Castle Rock Resort has a 30,000-square-foot indoor water park that includes a lazy river, multiple slides, and a kiddie area. It’s within walking distance of some of the town’s big attractions, and a short drive away from… well, just about everything Branson has to offer. Again, you can purchase a day pass if you don’t want to stay at the hotel, but admission is limited so don’t count on getting in on a rainy day.
Situated in the country music mecca of Branson, Missouri, the Castle Rock Resort and Waterpark offers its guests a different sort of fun. Its 30,000 square-foot indoor water park is open year-round, giving visitors the opportunity to splash and slide no matter how rainy or cold the weather is outside. The resort includes 200 guest rooms and a variety of amenities for different needs and budgets.
Some attractions to look forward to at this water park include the following:
- Activity Pool
- Lap Pool
- Two Water Slides
- Two Dump Buckets
- Lazy River
- Multilevel Sun Deck
Admission to the water park is not included with all rooms, so make sure you get a package that includes water park access. You can also purchase a day pass to the indoor water park separately. In addition to being able to add the passes to your room rental, this also means you have the option to stay elsewhere in Branson while still being able to enjoy the indoor water park at Castle Rock.
This hotel gets solid reviews from guests, especially those with young children who need a little extra entertainment during a stay in Branson. You can find group packages and specials, many of them seasonal. To get the best deal, make sure you do a little research before booking your room to see what offers are available.
Splash Country Waterpark (Branson, MO)
It may have the smallest indoor water park of the three, but the Grand Country Inn in Branson is the only true all-in-one vacation spot. In addition to the Splash Country Waterpark (20,000 square feet), it has an outdoor water park, multiple restaurants, and a stage where some of the area’s best acts perform. Your whole family could spend a week there without ever venturing outside. But since it’s right in the middle of Branson, you don’t have to go far to find even more things to do. Admission to the water park is free to all hotel guests.
If you’re looking for some wet, wild, and weatherproof fun during your visit to Branson, Missouri, you might want to book a room at the Grand Country Inn. Its Splash Country Waterpark includes a 20,000-square-foot indoor section to keep guests active and entertained all year long, rain or shine. During the summer, the outdoor part of the water park is open, adding another 20,000 square feet of rides and slides.
Speaking of which, here are some of the features you can find at Splash Country:
- Large Treehouse Attraction for Kids and Adults
- Lazy River
- Two Large Tube Slides
- Kiddie Pool
- Multiple Spas
The Grand Country Inn is centrally located in Branson, providing easy access to many of the town’s major attractions. The hotel itself is connected to the Grand Country Music Hall, where close to 1,000 country music and comedy shows are performed each year. The hotel also features a number of dining options, including a large buffet, pizza place, frozen custard shop, and a grill located next to the indoor water park. Taken all together, the Grand Country is an all-in-one vacation destination – you don’t have to leave the premises to make your stay in Branson worthwhile.
Admission to the water park is free to all guests. Before booking, you may want to check around for group packages or seasonal deals that could save you money.
Timber Falls Indoor Waterpark (Osage Beach, MO)
Not to be left out of the fun, Lake of the Ozarks also has an indoor water park. It’s at the Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach, a large resort with over 700 rooms and numerous attractions. While not as extensive as the other options on this list, the Timber Falls Indoor Waterpark has a lazy river, activity pool, and slides that will keep the kids busy for a long (and possibly rainy) afternoon during your stay in the area.
Final Word
As you can see, the indoor water parks in Missouri are currently all clustered around a few tourist areas. With the growing popularity of indoor water parks, we don’t expect this to remain the case for long. We’ll continue to update this page with any new additions, so check back the next time you’re planning a vacation in Missouri.