When thinking about summertime family vacations, some of the country’s biggest amusement parks, like Disney’s California Adventure [4] in Anaheim and Universal Studios [5] in Orlando, Florida, would come to mind for most. And, of course, big attractions as such come paired with very expensive bills for lodging, souvenirs and dining. Some families save for years to afford their dream family vacation. But the folks at TripAdvisor [6] did the research and found that one of the best family vacations in America is available much closer and for much cheaper than you’d expect.
According to TripAdvisor’s 2015 Travelers’ Choice Awards [7], Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari [8] in Santa Claus, Indiana is the third best family water park in the nation. The park was outranked only by Typhoon Lagoon [9] and Blizzard Beach [10], both owned and operated by Disney [11] in Orlando, Florida. Coming in third place means that our nearby small town amusement park scored higher than nearly every other water park in the nation, including Bowling Green’s Beech Bend [12], which came in at #21 on the list.
You may ask yourself, why Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari? The answer is simple: Whether families are looking for a single day escape or an entire long weekend trip, Holiday World is simply the best value with attractions for guests of all ages. With over 1,350 positive reviews collected by TripAdvisor (about 1,450 total), fun-seekers can’t go wrong here.
Where else can a family of all ages go for an entire day full of classic wooden roller coasters, America’s first launched wing steel coaster, a variety of performances by divers, singers and dancers and a water park complete with a wave pool, lazy river, and countless water slides without breaking the bank? Oh, and don’t forget the unlimited free soft drinks offered to guests.
If you'd like to test the waters for yourself, you can make the pilgrimage - the park will be open daily through August 12th and will be open on weekends only from August 15 – October 31. For tickets and more information, visit the park’s website [8].
Photo courtesy of Holiday World and Splashin' Safari.