15 Fun Indoor Water Parks Near Omaha (2026)
The beauty of indoor water parks is there’s a year-round pool destination you can always count on. If you’re looking for a family-pleasing getaway, hotels with a waterpark are an excellent combination. Here are a few indoor water parks near Omaha, including resorts and aquatic centers in Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri to add to your family travel wish list.
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UPDATED: This post was first published in October 2020, and it has been updated in January 2026.
What are the best indoor water parks in Omaha?
Omaha has only a few indoor water parks, and they’re small ones but at least they’re great for really little swimmers. There is one water resort/hotel and the rest are day-use aquatic centers. Personally, if I had to choose a nearby water park, I’m going to an out of town one since I teens. (Got to the next section to find those)
Holiday Inn Omaha Downtown – Old Market
Where: 1420 Cuming St., Omaha
What to expect: While the size of the Holiday Bay is small compared to most others, it’s still exciting for youngsters with its waterslide that can be seen outside the building. The waterpark covers 10,000 square feet with a play structure, three-story slide, plus a pool and oversized whirlpool.
And, bonus, kids eat for free when you stay at the Holiday Inn.
The best thing about the Holiday Inn at this location is what it’s close to. It’s within walking distance of Schwab Field, The Slowdown, Hot Shops Art Center, Film Streams, and a number of restaurants. Now…not all of those you’d want to take a toddler to, but if you have slightly older kids, maybe?
Salvation Army Kroc Center
Where: 2825 Y St., Omaha
What to expect: This indoor aquatic center is great for local families looking for a fun way to burn some energy. There’s a long slide plus a little toddler slide, lazy river, and a 1,877-gallon leisure pool.
This is a day-time use only facility; not a hotel like the Holiday Inn. A day pass for the Kroc Center, which can get you into the pool, is $15 for adults (ages 19+), $12 for teens (ages 12-18), $9 for youth (ages 1-11), and free for kids under 1. Open swim hours vary.
*COMING SOON* The Bellevue indoor water park
In 2024, Bellevue City Council voted unanimously to build an enormous, 100,000-square-foot indoor-outdoor water park, called Bellevue Bay Water Park. Given the size and amenities, they predict it could be a Top 10 water park in the U.S. In December 2025, they announced the park would have branding ties to Mattel, so expect Barbie and/or Hot Wheels themed stuff there. The water park should open in early 2027.
Indoor Water Parks Near Omaha
Looking for a reason for a road trip? Play in the water year-round at these indoor water resorts and water parks within five hours of Omaha.
Kings Pointe Waterpark Resort
Where: 1520 E. Lakeshore Drive, Storm Lake, Iowa
Distance from Omaha: 2 hours and 10 minutes
What to expect: The 20,000-square-foot indoor water park at this resort features a zero-depth entry pool, three water slides, a water playground, lily pad walk, and a lazy river.
Siouxnami Waterpark
Where: 770 Seventh St. NE, Sioux Center, Iowa
Distance from Omaha: 2 hours and 20 minutes
What to expect: This an a year-round activity center that happens to have a pretty sweet indoor aquatic center (which means, it's not a resort combo). There are indoor water slides, a lazy river, and a zero-depth entry pool.
Truthfully, the outdoor aquatic center is way more spectacular than the indoor, but in the winter, it's not an option.
Ramada Tropics Resort Waterpark
Where: 5000 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines, Iowa
Distance from Omaha: 2 hours and 30 minutes
What to expect: You'll find two long waterslides as well as a few short ones coming off of a nifty pirate ship in the middle of the pool. In all, the water park is 18,000 square feet.
Note: This is not a highly-rated hotel. I usually stay away from hotels with ratings as low as this Ramada had on Booking.com, but perhaps management is working on improving things? Perhaps not.
Crowne Plaza - Kearney
Where: 707 W. Talmadge St., Kearney, Neb.
Distance from Omaha; 2 hours and 35 minutes
What to expect: A fairly new hotel addition to Kearney, Crowne Plaza - Kearney has generated some excitement in town. The indoor pool and waterpark appeals to all ages, with several waterslides with varying degrees of speed and thrill.
For younger swimmers, a shallower poool and sprayground is separate from a deeper pool.
Note: Hotel guests receive five wristbands for the water park with their room reservation.
Holiday Inn Kearney
Where: 110 S. Second Ave., Kearney, Neb.
Distance from Omaha; 2 hours and 35 minutes
What to expect: Guests of the Holiday Inn in Kearney have access to the indoor pool, which has 30-foot waterslides and a zero-foot entry to a pool area for younger kids. There's also a hot tub. It's small, but beats most typical hotel pools.
Note: Kids eat free at the on-site restaurant.
Great Wolf Lodge Kansas City Water Park Resort and Hotel
Where: 10401 Cabela Drive, Kansas City, Kan.
Distance from Omaha: 2 hours and 40 minutes
What to expect: Every age will find something to enjoy at this indoor water park. For the big kids, there's thigns like the Triple Twist and the Howling Wolf toboggan run. For the littles, there's Whooping Hollow and Cub Paw Pool. Plus, everyone loves the lazy river.
You can purchase day passes to the indoor water park or the passes are included if you stay overnight.
Having visited a few indoor water parks over the years, Great Wolf Lodge does a fine job keeping the place clean and offering a ton of activities. Expect a crowd unless you go during the week, during the school year.
Sleep Inn & Suites Indoor Waterpark
Where: 1840 N. Church Road, Liberty, Mo.
Distance from Omaha: 2 hours and 45 minutes
What to expect: This is a more budget-friendly option for families seeking a hotel/indoor water park combo. The Liberty Lagoon Indoor Water Park includes a kid's pool, a spray area with dumping bucket, family hot tub, and a three-story water slide.
Midco® Aquatic Center
Where: 1601 S. Western Ave., Sioux Falls, S.D.
Distance from Omaha: 2 hours and 45 minutes
What to expect: Unlike most on this list, Midco is strictly an aquatic center and not a hotel/resort combo. So it's only a day-use facility. Still, there are fun activities like a lily pad crossing, lazy river, and water slides.
Hours are Monday through Friday from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.
Best Western Plus Ramkota Hotel
Where: 3200 W. Maple St., Sioux Falls, S.D.
Distance from Omaha: 2 hours and 45 minutes
What to expect: This is an inexpensive option for families traveling on a budget. There are a few slides for younger kids, and a longer slide for big kids. There are a couple other water features for younger children, too.
Reviews are mid for the hotel.
The Waterfront at Bridges Bay Resort
Where: 630 Linden Drive, Arnolds Park, Iowa
Distance from Omaha: 3 hours and 15 minutes
What to expect: If you go to the Lake Okoboji in the summer, expect to spend time at the lake. In the winter? This is the place. The resort's indoor water park, called 'Boji Splash, has a 500-gallon dump bucket.
Honey Bear's Water Park at Honey Creek Resort
Where: Honey Creek Resort, 12633 Resort Drive, Moravia, Iowa
Distance from Omaha: 3 hours and 20 minutes
What to expect: This indoor waterpark is especially appealing for younger kids. All ages, though, will enjoy the lazy river and two-story waterslide. And hot tub, don't forget the hot tub.
When we went, the indoor water park was included with the hotel stay. Day passes are available for non-resort guests and can be purchased for $20 per person, per day.
NOTE: Honey Creek Resort is temporarily closed due to legal battles. It's supposed to reopen before March 12, 2026.
Splash Zone Waterpark
Where: 2500 Sixth St., Brookings, S.D.
Distance from Omaha: 3 hours and 25 minutes
What to expect: Splash Zone Waterpark, located inside the Brookings Inn includes a lazy river, zero depth play area, water slides, spray cannons and a dumping bucket.
Reviews are kind of low for this hotel, saying the indoor water park is "overrated" and crowded.
Grand Harbor Resort
Where: 350 Bell St., Dubuque, Iowa
Distance from Omaha: 5 hours
What to expect: This is a gigantic indoor waterpark. It's 25,000 square feet to be exact. You'll find slides, tube rides, waterspouts and a four-story Huck Finn treehouse that dumps 350 gallons of water.
My recommendations
I have not had a whole lot of luck with indoor water parks when we travel. I have visited all of the local indoor water parks, and honestly, I’d skip the hotel versions and go straight to the Kroc Center.
For our travels thus far, I haven’t been too impressed with the hotels we’ve stayed at with indoor waterparks. It seems elusive to find a hotel and waterpark that meet my expectations. Great Wolf Lodge KCK was a hit with my kids but I felt like the price was absurd…even with the Groupon discount.
Your turn: Let me know your favorites and recommendations!
