Escape the summer sun and cool down at these water parks in Massachusetts! And if you’re visiting in the off-season, don’t worry – you’ll have several indoor water parks in Massachusetts to choose from, that are open all year long.
Growing up in Massachusetts, summer always meant fun in or near the water. I spent many happy days splashing around at Breezy Picnic Grounds, a relaxed picnic area and beach on a reservoir in Douglas. My cousins and I wore ourselves out swimming and going down the waterslides again and again and again… our parents had done the same thing growing up and knew that a day at the beach there would result in a happy, quiet ride home.
In addition to many of the oceanside options, the Boston area has a fantastic selection of indoor and outdoor water parks with slides, rivers, pools, beaches, and more. Most locations have a selection of rides from slow and kid-friendly to speed slides or enclosed slides with hairpin turns, so everyone in your family will find something they enjoy.
And if you’re in Boston with small kids, there’s nothing like cooling off in the Boston Common Frog Pond Spray Pool!
Outdoor locations in the area typically open up in June. However, the indoor water parks in Massachusetts (and some hybrid water parks) are often open year-round, so you and your family can enjoy water slides and splash pads even if it’s snowing.
Yes! There are a few indoor water parks in Massachusetts. Great Wolf Lodge and the Water Park of New England are both indoor options, while Cape Codder is an indoor-outdoor water park.
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor holds the title of the largest water park in Massachusetts.
This is a bit subjective, depending on the ages and types of water park attractions you prefer, but Hurricane Harbor and Cape Codder are generally considered two of the best water parks in Massachusetts.
The Cape Cod Inflatable Water Park is just an hour and a half south of Boston. It’s the largest inflatable water park in the US!
Outdoor Water Parks in Massachusetts
Water Wizz
East Wareham, MA
In the 1980s, water parks were all the rage. Established in 1982, Water Wizz of Cape Cod, Inc. was the first company of its kind in New England, with four serpentine slides and two speed slides.
In 1984, Water Wizz grew by adding a mini golf course with 18 holes and bumper boats. In 1989, the longest tube ride in southern New England, known as “The Canal,” with a lazy river and food stands, opened to the public. Since then, many more attractions have been opened at Water Wizz, including fan favorites like Thunder Falls, with three thrilling tube rides. There are several beaches and playgrounds suitable for small children to play on.
Water Wizz was featured in the movie The Grown Ups. If it seems familiar, that’s probably where you know it from! Reviewers LOVE this water park, giving it overwhelmingly five-star ratings. Some reviewer tips: wear water shoes because the concrete can get hot, and rent a cabana so you and your group always know where to meet.
Opening Season: Water Wizz is open in July and August. Check the website or Facebook page for updates!
Six Flags New England (Hurricane Harbor)
Agawam, MA
Hurricane Harbor claims to be New England’s largest water park. They might be right since the water park has at least 15 attractions, a shop, cabanas, lockers, and more. There are multiple pools and slides for people of all ages, including several aimed at the younger crowd.
Reviewers say the Adventure River – a slow-moving 1,000-foot river best enjoyed from atop a tube – is a fun way to relax between the more exhilarating slides like the Tornado and Typhoon. The Big Kahuna offers four enclosed tube slides with unpredictable twists and turns. And for your little ones, Hook’s Lagoon offers lots of family-friendly splashing fun.
A word to the wise: a Six Flags New England ticket doesn’t automatically include admission to Hurricane Harbor. Buying your tickets online may result in a lower ticket price. The water park is an extra charge. Reviewers advise lines can be long on busy days, but if you attend on a weekday, you will see shorter lines for the rides.
Opening Season: The Hurricane Harbor Waterpark’s first day is Saturday, May 27, and the park opens at 11:30 a.m.
Cape Cod Inflatable Park
West Yarmouth, MA
Cape Cod Inflatable Park and Wicked Waves Water Park, located an hour and a half south of Boston, are more than just bounce houses and some slides. The biggest inflatable park in the United States features nearly two dozen attractions, and the water park boasts more than a dozen attractions for people of all ages. There’s also an arcade, food options, cabana rentals, and a temporary tattoo stand.
The Cape Cod parks contain too much to do in one day, according to the attraction’s website, and they have a solution for you: the Cape Cod Family Resort. If you book a stay at the resort, you’ll get free passes to the inflatable park – up to six passes as long as you book by phone or on their website.
Reviewers say younger children will love the entire experience at this “hidden gem” and will enjoy coming back again and again. Cabana rental offers some additional perks like chargers for your devices and extra space; reviewers also advise you should plan to bring your own towels and expect a long wait for food.
Opening Season: Cape Cod Inflatable Park opens Jun 10, 2023.
Breezy Picnic Grounds Waterslides
Douglas, MA
Breezy Picnic Grounds Waterslides has been a popular summer spot for visitors since the 1950s. It’s on the Whitinsville Reservoir in Douglas. The site includes a lake swimming beach and a variety of waterslides. Guests are welcome to bring their own picnic food in coolers, but grilling is prohibited. There’s also a reasonably priced concession stand, according to reviews.
The waterslides suitable for smaller children are close to the beach and do not cost extra. Rates for entry are cheaper after 3 p.m. Kids can have hours of fun on the slides and beach while their parents relax on the grassy picnic area.
The beach and slides are always clean, and there are many shady spots to set up. Picnic tables near the shore get snatched up fast, so plan to arrive early or bring your own camp chairs or picnic blankets. Umbrellas and the like are allowed at the Breezy Picnic Grounds – it’s a relaxed experience with plenty of staff and free parking.
Opening Season: Breezy Picnic Grounds Waterslides opens in June.
Cape Codder Resort & Spa
Hyannis, MA
The Cape Codder Resort and Spa water park is open year-round, and the roof retracts on warm and sunny days. The attractions include an indoor wave pool and fitness center, with 80-foot and 50-foot water slides, a cascading water umbrella, and two saunas. The Rainbow Falls heated outdoor pool at the resort includes a saltwater pool decorated with native flowering gardens and LED lighting that creates a relaxing rainbow vista.
The Cape Codder Water Park features, in addition to the above attractions, two 160-foot high-speed waterslides, a 300-foot “stormy” river with waterfalls, rapids, and a spouting humpback whale, “Pirate Bay” kiddie spray pool with dumping bucket, water cannons, and small water slides, locker and towel rentals, cafe and birthday party space.
This is one of the best water parks in Massachusetts for parents with small children. Renovations are currently taking place at the resort, and management mentioned they are really excited about the improvements coming to the resort.
Opening Season: Cape Codder is open year-round.
Indoor Water Parks in Massachusetts
Great Wolf Lodge New England
Fitchburg, MA
The indoor water park at Great Wolf Lodge in Fitchburg, Mass., includes a four-story water fort treehouse, a zero-depth to a 5-foot-deep pond, a lazy river, a raft water slide, a four-story tandem tube ride, and much more, all at different “thrill levels.” The offerings vary from playgrounds and gentle slides for youngsters to high-speed slides. It’s considered one of the best indoor water parks in Massachusetts.
The resort offers a variety of additional features, including private cabanas, several dining options, an on-site Dunkin Donuts, arcade games, mini bowling, and an adventure game called MagiQuest.
Reviewers praise the cleanliness of the rooms and water park and the friendliness and professionalism of the staff throughout the facility. Reviewers also note some of the features are pricey, so if you plan to stay at the resort, springing for a package deal may be worth it.
Opening season: Great Wolf Lodge water park is open year-round.
The Waterpark of New England
Danvers, MA
This indoor water park features the Dip-In Theater and Parrot’s Perch Play Area, which include jungle gyms, water cannons, kiddie slides, and water-dumping buckets. There are four different raft slides and a lazy river in addition to the theater and play area.
Adults may have as much fun as youngsters at the Water Park of New England. Your ticket to heaven is visiting the Palm Grotto Indoor/Outdoor Spa. Adults can relax in the resort’s enormous hot tubs and swim through the tunnel.
Reviewers recommend water shoes because of some puddles in the changing rooms. The Waterpark of New England is smaller than Great Wolf Lodge, but day passes are more economical. The new management and staff come highly recommended by reviewers.
Opening season: Waterpark of New England is open year-round.
