10 Best Indoor Water Parks in Illinois (Fun For All Ages!)

Illinois is an excellent state for residents and tourists alike, with tons of state parks, museums, the first McDonald’s, and the world’s largest bottle of ketchup. Even better, it’s made for family fun, and you can find epic indoor water parks throughout the state, just ready and waiting for you to have a splash!

Below, you’ll find the top ten water parks in Illinois, along with which ones offer epic party packages, which are great for family vacations, and which ones are best for a calm day of fun out of the sun.

Some are themed within resorts, and others are part of the wonderful recreation facilities within the great state of Illinois. If you live there, check your residential qualifications for fantastic discounts on entry and membership fees. 

One of the best things about indoor water parks is that you don’t have to worry about packing the sunscreen. Still, some of the facilities below offer seriously enticing outdoor fun as well, so be sure to double-check before you walk out the front door! 

1. Pirate's Cay Indoor Waterpark

📍 Map it: 2558 N 3650rd Rd, Sheridan, IL 60551 | Phone: (815) 496-3292 | Website | Hours: Thursday through Sunday 12-8PM | Entrance Fee: Resort Guest Rates: Over 48”: $18.95 per person, Under 48”: $15.95 per person, Under 36”: Free, Observer $10 per person, General Admission Rates: Over 48”: $24.95 per person, Under 48”: $20.95 per person, Under 36”: Free, Observer: $10 per person

Located in Sheridan and serving all of LaSalle County, Pirate’s Cay Indoor Waterpark is the perfect family outing! From dump buckets to lazy rivers, slides, water guns, and more, this indoor pirate-themed extravaganza is sure to impress kids of every age. 

Throughout the park, you’ll find easily accessible tubes and life jackets, clearly posted height and weight restrictions for each attraction, and professionally trained lifeguards on duty at all times.

You’ll also find The Marketplace, a store with everything you’ll need if you walk in empty-handed, such as water toys, towels, park swag, and more. When the kids need a break from the water-filled fun, there’s an arcade with tons of games and prizes to win adjacent to the water park. 

Even better, it’s all inside the Holiday Inn Club Resort, so you can book a room for the weekend and enjoy everything they offer. There’s a movie theater, golf course, indoor pool, outdoor pool, and a lake with water sports such as paddle boating and kayaking. 

Guests of the resort get a discount for the water park, but it’s open to the public at an excellent price. If you’d like to take a virtual tour of the facilities, you’ll find one on their website alongside an FAQ with everything you need to know to prepare for a great time. 

2. The Water Works Indoor Water Park

📍 Map it: 505 N Springinsguth Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60194 | Phone: (847) 490-2505 | Website | Hours: Wednesday 5:30-8PM, Friday 4-8PM, Saturday and Sunday 12-5PM | Entrance Fee: Residents - $8, Non-Residents - $12, Children 2 and Under Free

One of the most incredible recreation facilities in Illinois, The Water Works Indoor Water Park at the Schaumburg Community Rec has fabulous attractions at great prices for residents and non-residents alike. You can even get a yearly membership so the fun can happen again and again! 

The Water Works Indoor Water Park has three water slides, a rapid water channel, a spray ground, a diving pool, a lap pool, a zero-depth entry pool, a whirlpool, and a family pool. They offer swim classes for all ages, provide a nursery for the littles, and have water aerobics classes for a great workout. 

If you’re looking for the perfect place to host a birthday party, you’ve found it! For 15 guests at $350 for residents and $400 for non-residents, you’ll get two hours of swim time and an hour in the party room. You can add extra guests for $10 each.  

Don't forget the pizza for $16, balloon arches for $30, themed decorations for $50 at basic or $75 custom, indoor playground access upgrade for $25, additional swim time for $3 per guest, and an extra party host for $15 an hour. Since the facility is indoors, it’s open year-round, allowing every kid to have the pool party of their dreams.

3. Grand Bear Falls Indoor Waterpark

📍 Map it: 2643 IL-178, North Utica, IL 61373 | Phone: (815) 667-3866 | Website | Hours: Hour Vary Weekly, Check Website for Details | Entrance Fee: Included in Stay at Grand Bear Falls, Non-Guests - $40 for Adults, $35 for Children

Located inside the Grand Bear Falls Resort at Starved Rock, Grand Bear Falls Indoor Waterpark offers year-round fun for the whole family. With over 24,000 square feet of water-filled fun, you will surely find the perfect adventure for everyone. 

At Grand Bear Falls, you’ll find play zones for the littles, fast and fun water slides for the big kids, a wave pool, a lazy river and kiddie pool, and a 15-person hot tub perfect for relaxing after a long day.

They even offer a calm water window where all the attractions remain off but open, allowing even the youngest of the bunch to get in on the big kid fun. 

If you live in LaSalle, Putnam, or Bureau, you qualify for a weekday season pass that allows access to the water park Monday through Thursday for only $65 per person. However, if you’re a guest at Grand Bear Falls, entry is free! 

While you’re there, be sure to check out the mini golf and ice cream shop, as well as the epic Cave Arcade, with over 60 interactive games and awesome prizes. If you’re staying, you’ll also find movie nights and crafts, with comfy accommodations and great food at four different restaurants.

Nearby, you can traverse the Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks, hit up the Starved Rock Entertainment Center for escape rooms and a playground, or go skydiving, zip lining, golfing, and horseback riding. 

4. Great Wolf Lodge Water Park

📍 Map it: 1700 Nations Dr, Gurnee, IL 60031 | Phone: (847) 623-9653 | Website | Hours: Call for Hours | Entrance Fee: Free with Stay at Great Wolf Lodge

Located just outside Chicago in Gurnee, Great Wolf Lodge Water Park is the place to go for a weekend getaway or a fun-filled week of adventure! There is so much to see and do; you surely can’t get it all done in one day. 

For the littles, they have Fort Mackenzie, a two-story splash-ground with cannons, tipping buckets, and climbing structures, and Whooping Hollow and Totem Towers, each of which have toddler-sized slides and small splash pools. 

For the bigger kids, you have the wave pool, Slaptail Pond, the lazy river, Crooked Canyon, Double Whirlwind, and Coyote Canyon, which are high thrill level water rides, and Chinook Cove, offering up water basketball and more! There are even a few places slated for adults only, so if it’s a family vacation you’re after, you’ll find it here. 

Great Wolf Lodge offers some epic deals, like 30% off in the Fall, steep discounts on three and four-night stays if you book within 90 days, and a whopping 50% off if you book over 90 days in advance.

They even offer an all-inclusive deal for dining and attractions, so be sure to check the website to plan out your stay and get the best possible pricing. 

If you don’t plan on staying overnight, that’s okay too! They have a full-day and half-day pass available with unfettered admission to the water park, access to daily events, life jacket and towel service, and unlimited Wi-Fi. 

5. Pelican Harbor Indoor/Outdoor Aquatic Park

📍 Map it: 200 S Lindsey Ln, Bolingbrook, IL 60440 | Phone: (630) 739-1700 | Website | Hours: Friday and Monday 4-8PM, Saturday and Sunday 12-5PM | Entrance Fee: Residents - $7, Non-Residents - $10

If you’re looking for a park that offers both indoor and outdoor water features, Pelican Harbor is an Indoor/Outdoor Aquatic Park open year-round at Volunteer Park in Bolingbrook. It provides fun for the whole family, with the perfect birthday party packages and swim lessons for all ages. 

At Pelican Harbor, you’ll find four water slides outside, as well as an interactive sprayground called Parkie’s Oasis, two lazy rivers, a diving board and drop slide, a zero-depth entry pool, and fun in the sun-like volleyball, a sandpit playground, picnic area, and concessions.

Indoors, you’ll have a second zero-depth entry pool, a lap pool, two additional water slides, a tot slide, dozens of tumble buckets, a large hot tub, and the perfect space for a birthday party. 

If you’re interested in the birthday package, there’s some really unique fun on offer. Poolside parties come with a meet and greet with Parkie the Pelican, who brings a special gift to the guest of honor.

The package includes 15 guests, admission to open swim, and 90 minutes in a party room, with pizza, drinks, and supplies provided. Be sure to check the website for additional details about indoor versus outdoor reservations and time slots. 

6. Centennial Park Aquatic Center

📍 Map it: 15600 West Ave, Orland Park, IL 60462 | Phone: (708) 401-0043 | Website | Hours:  Seasonal, Hours Vary, Check Website or Call for Information | Entrance Fee: Resident: $11/$8 - Monday-Friday after 4pm $8, Saturday & Sunday after 5pm/Non-Residents: $23 Monday-Thursday, $25 Friday-Sunday & Holidays/Children Under 2 Free

Located in Orland Park, Centennial Park Aquatic Center is an outdoor facility with plenty of shade, perfect for a calm but fun-filled day in the water. Unlike many over-the-top water parks on our list, this one offers upscale basics at an unbeatable price. 

At Centennial Park Aquatic Center, you’ll find two body slides, a 328’ tube slide, a 200’ flume slide, a cliff jump, and a drop slide, all of which lead into a phenomenal lazy river that winds around the attractions.

While it’s entirely outdoors, it’s surrounded by trees and lawn chairs, offering a delightful and refreshing alternative to indoor humidity and water parks that are eternally exposed to the sun. 

The one caveat is that it’s seasonal, open from May 28th through September 5th, with extended hours on specific dates. If you’re a resident, entry comes at the low price of $11 for a full day or $8 during twilight hours. It’s a bit more expensive for non-residents, at $25, but still entirely worth it. 

If you want a break from the pool, you’ll find a lake nearby with kayak and paddle boat rentals for $20 each, as well as a picnic area, sunbathing section, and more. Be sure to pack a towel and sunscreen! 

7. Urbana Indoor Aquatic Center

📍 Map it: 102 E Michigan Ave, Urbana, IL 61801 | Phone: (217) 384-7665 | Website | Hours: Monday through Friday 6AM to 9PM, Saturday 12-5PM, Sunday 2-7PM | Entrance Fee: $3 for Spectators, $4 per Swimmer, Ages 4 and Under are Free

Urbana Indoor Aquatic Center, located near Urbana Middle School, is an excellent indoor setup with a lap pool, splashground, and giant water slides. What it lacks in numerous features, it makes up for with friendly staff, safety above all, and a clean facility with ample space. 

At Urbana, you’ll find everything from swim classes for all ages to lap lanes for ages 15+. It hosts local swim meets and practices and offers rentals for birthday parties or other celebrations. Children under four are free, with a small fee of $6 per person, four and up, and discounts on Thursdays. 

Their hours vary depending on the season, though they’re open until 9 pm on weekdays for public swimming, with lap swim-only hours from 6 am to 8 am and 11 am to 1 pm.

On Saturdays, they’re open from 12 to 5 pm for public swimming only. Be sure to check the schedule for closures and specific dates, especially those surrounding school holidays. 

For parties, you can rent one or two pools, and you’re charged by the hour and number of guests. For instance, one pool for 1-15 guests is $65 per hour, while two for 31-45 guests are $170 an hour. You’ll also have a special party room provided for a two-hour time slot. Be sure to reserve two weeks in advance! 

8. Splash Central Indoor Pool

📍 Map it: 700 S Bartlett Rd, Bartlett, IL 60103 | Phone: (630) 540-4850 | Website | Hours: Monday through Thursday 5:30AM-1PM/4-7:30PM, Saturday 7AM-6PM, Sunday 8AM-6PM | Entrance Fee: Adult (18-61) Res: $9/Reg: $10, Youth (3-17):, Res: $7.50/Reg: $8.50, Tot (2 & under): Res: Free/Reg: Free, Senior (62 & over): Res: $7.50/Reg: $8.50

Located in Bartlett, Splash Central Indoor Pool and Bartlett Aquatic Center are more than just a place to swim your laps. They have an indoor and outdoor tandem facility offering tons of fun for the whole family, as well as swim classes, competitions, water aerobics, and more. 

Inside, they offer year-round open swim, lap swim, a water slide, a diving board, a splashground for the littles, and an adults-only whirlpool. Outdoors, they offer a seasonal area featuring a zero-depth entry pool, a sand playground, a giant water slide, and concessions. They also have an aquatic zipline, sprayground, plunge slide, tube slide, and several body slides. 

If you plan on going often and are a resident of Bartlett, it’s a great idea to get an annual membership pass at $200 per individual, with additional family members for $100 more. You can also purchase lap passes, which allow you a set amount of visits for a discounted price.

You can also get discounts on groups of 15+ if you contact the facility at least five days in advance. On Saturdays and Sundays from 6 pm to 11 pm, you can rent the entire facility for 1-100 guests at $225 per hour, making it perfect for large parties. Just be sure to book two weeks in advance! 

9. Splash Landings Aquatic Center

📍 Map it: 2400 Chestnut Ave, Glenview, IL 60026  | Phone: (847) 486-5372 | Website | Hours & Entrance Fee: Change per Schedule

Splash Landings Aquatic Center in Glenview has much to offer with its aero-theme swim space. It’s perfect for people of all ages, from their Starfish Academy Swim School to its open play slides and lap pools. They’re open year-round and cater to residents and non-residents alike. 

At Splash Landings, you’ll find an activity pool with zero depth entry that slowly descends to 3.5’ with an air traffic control tower boasting a large tube slide and interactive water features.

You’ll also find a lap pool, a warm water therapy center, and a whirlpool. In addition, they offer a family changing room and an aquatic shop with everything you need. 

You have several options for admission. You can purchase a daily admission at regular price or receive a punch card, allowing you to specify the number of entries between 15 and 50 that you’d like to have over a six-month period.

The more you purchase, the larger the discount. Keep in mind these cannot be shared, and you’ll need your access card to gain entry each time. You can, however, add your child to the card so they can enjoy the amenities. 

For lap swims, you must be 13 or older to enter the pool and use a lane, though younger people have the option to speak with the manager and pass a fitness-based swim test for access. Lap swim is not available in lanes being used for instruction. 

10. Adventure Island at The Centre of Elgin

📍 Map it: 100 Symphony Way, Elgin, IL 60120 | Phone: (847) 531-7030 | Website | Hours: Monday through Friday 5AM-8:30PM, Saturday and Sunday 7AM-4:30PM  | Entrance Fee: Call for Pricing

The city of Elgin offers Adventure Island at the Centre, an epic indoor recreational water facility with a shipwreck island theme. They offer three pools at various depths and a ton of fun features for the kids, ensuring the whole family has a great day every time you visit. 

At Adventure Island, you’ll find a zero-depth entry recreational pool with geysers, a slide-studded shipwreck, tipping buckets that look like toucans, and a large 25’ water slide with a separate plunge pool for the older kids to enjoy.

A 25-yard competition pool with eight lanes and three diving boards sits off to the side, ready for those who want a serious workout, while another pool is reserved for water therapy in tandem with the Sherman Hospital Wellness Center. 

Swim lessons take place Monday through Thursday in the evening and on Saturday and Sunday mornings, offered to all ages. It’s a great idea to sign your littles up for lessons and then let them have fun playing aboard the shipwreck wh