10 Best Water Parks to Visit This Summer Near Chicago

Chicago is starting to heat up this the summer, which has many people dreaming of hitting the pool or escaping to a water park. If you want to find a fun day outside with your family or friends, here are 10 of the best water parks near Chicago.

Photo Credit: Hurricane Harbor

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor

1 Great America Parkway, Gurnee, IL 60031

Advertisement

Visiting Six Flags Hurricane Harbor is a great deal; you can spend the day going on the water slides, splash pads, wave pools, and then you can switch over to Six Flags Great America when you are tired of the water to ride some roller coasters.

water parks chicago
Photo Credit: Deep River Waterpark

Deep River Waterpark

9001 E Lincoln Hwy, Crown Point, IN 46307

Advertisement

Located in Indiana, Deep River Waterpark is the perfect place to spend the day. This water park near Chicago includes body slides, tube slides, lazy rivers, wave pools, and splash pads to satisfy each member of your friend group or family.

Read More: Fun Things to Do This Weekend in Rockford, IL

Advertisement
water parks chicago
Photo Credit: Des Plaines Park District

Mystic Waters

2025 Miner St, Des Plaines, IL 60016

If you’re looking for the best water parks in Illinois, Mystic Waters has a zone that is ideal for kids to run around and play in the fountains. This water park also features a 37-foot slide, leisure pool, and hot top. It’s smaller than other parks but still has enough attractions to make the short drive worth it.

Advertisement
water parks chicago
Photo Credit: Raging Waves

Raging Waves

4000 N Bridge St, Yorkville, IL 60560

Advertised as the “largest water park in Illinois,” you’ll be able to spend a full day here without running out of things to do. With rafting slides, wave pools, interactive kid’s areas, and body surfing, the Raging Waves is a great place to cool off and spend the day.

Advertisement
water parks chicago
Photo Credit: Noah’s Ark Waterpark

Noah’s Ark

1410 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy, Wisconsin Dells, WI 54965

While it is farther from Chicago, Noah’s Ark is so full of rides and activities that it is worth the trip. There, you can learn how to surf, ride through more than 300 feet of slides before dropping near 40 feet into the water, or relax in the toddler zone.

Advertisement

Read More: Popular German Restaurants to Visit in Chicago

water parks chicago
Photo Credit: Magic Waters

Magic Waters

7820 Cherryvale N Blvd, Cherry Valley, IL 61016

Advertisement

Magic Waves — now owned by Six Flags — is filled with rides, perfect for both the young and the old. Tiki Island is perfect for children, with 12,000 square feet of waterfalls, slides, and splash pads. Older kids and adults can check out the big Double Dare Drop at this water park near Chicago — two body slides that drop you 75 feet. Or you spend an afternoon relaxing in the lazy river.

 

water parks chicago
Photo Credit: Bensenville Water Park

Bensenville Water Park and Splash Pad

1100 W Wood St, Bensenville, IL 60106

With a water slide that is more than 150 feet tall, the water park is sure to thrill even older children and adults. Bensenville Water Park is filled with grassy areas, making it the perfect place for families to relax or picnic together.

Read More: The Best Dog Breeders to Support in Chicago

water parks chicago
Photo Credit: Itasca Caribbean Water Park

Itasca Caribbean Water Park

100 Catalpa Ave. Itasca, IL 60143

With swimming pools, slides, and splash pads, you and your family can have a fun getaway and feel like you are on a beach vacation without having to leave Illinois.


mac and cheese fest
Photo Credit: Dish Maps

View the Best Mac & Cheese in Chicago

Kids all tired out and need some grub? View our list of the best mac & cheese in the city.

View the Best Mac & Cheese in Chicago


Photo Credit: Skokie Water Park

Skokie Water Playground

4715 Oakton St, Skokie, IL 60076

This is a smaller park, but it still has a lot of fun things to do. The park features a giant bucket that dumps gallons of water on happy children, slides, water playgrounds, and pools.

Photo Credit: WhoaZone

WhoaZone at Whihala Beach

1561 Park Rd, Whiting, IN 46394

This isn’t your typical water park in Illinois. Instead, it is more like an obstacle course on the water. With great views of the city, your family can have hours of fun running, bouncing, and swimming at this water attraction.

 

At UrbanMatter, U Matter. And we think this matters.

Tell us what you think matters in your neighborhood and what we should write about next in the comments below!

Featured Image Credit: Skokie Water Park

Read More: The Best Brunch Offers at Gemini & Old Pueblo Cantina in Chicago

 

READ MORE LIKE THIS
DOWNLOAD THE URBANMATTER APP
FIND PARKING

About Author