The Largest Indoor Water Park In North America Is A Must-Visit For Summer Fun Near NYC

If you're looking for family fun in the summer, going to a water park is always a solid option. That said, you may assume that the best place to find high-quality water parks would be in cities like Wisconsin Dells or Orlando. While those are certainly great choices, what if you're in the Northeast, around New York City? Well, in that case, you might want to consider one of the coolest indoor water parks in the United States, DreamWorks Water Park in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Notably, DreamWorks is the largest indoor water park in North America, offering plenty of activities for guests of all ages. Plus, since it's only 30 minutes from Manhattan by car, it's super convenient if you're planning to visit the area. In fact, depending on the weather, this water park might be a better alternative to NYC. Unlike the Big Apple, you can visit DreamWorks any time of year and still get the same enjoyable experience.

Plus, the park is part of the American Dream shopping mall, which is home to other attractions like a Nickelodeon theme park and an indoor snow resort. Overall, if you've already scratched New York off your bucket list, this place should be next on your travel itinerary.

On its own, 81 degrees Fahrenheit is a relatively hot temperature. However, compared to the weather extremes you can experience in New York City, knowing that the inside of DreamWorks Water Park is always 81 degrees can feel like a dream. For example, during the summer, Manhattan gets quite humid, and being a concrete jungle means the heat radiates from all directions. That's not to say visiting New York isn't worthwhile during the summer — only that DreamWorks offers a consistent, comfortably balmy alternative.

But the temperature is only one reason to visit this water park. There doesn't have to be inclement weather for you and your travel companions to have a blast. With over 40 attractions, including a variety of slides and the largest indoor wave pool in North America, you won't be wondering how to pass the time. Slides are rated from kid-friendly to "total pro," so you can plan your itinerary accordingly. Plus, kiddie experiences, like the Kitty Splash Garden, feature characters from the DreamWorks library (in this case, Gabby's Dollhouse). Speaking of characters, the park offers meet-and-greets with characters from franchises like Madagascar, Shrek, and Trolls.

Alternatively, if you're trying to kick things up a notch, you can experience rides like the Swamp 'n' Splash, which features spins, drops, and twists. Or, if you're a speed demon, you can drop vertically down the Carnivortex, Thrillagascar, or Jungle Jammer slides.

American Dream is easily accessible from New York-area airports, including LaGuardia Airport (LGA), aka one of the 11 most interesting airports in the U.S. that can make a layover more fun. It's about 30 minutes from the American Dream mall by car, without traffic. Because the mall is such a renowned tourist attraction, there are numerous hotels nearby to make your trip more convenient. Plus, if you're planning on sticking to the activities within the mall, you won't even need a car.

One of the only downsides of visiting DreamWorks Water Park is that it has such limited food options. While you're inside the park, you only have the choice of burgers, pizza, or ice cream. If you're going to be spending multiple days riding slides, you may want to check out the other restaurants within the mall. Fortunately, DreamWorks allows in-and-out privileges with your ticket. One-day passes are priced from $69.99 per person at the time of this writing. Or, if you don't plan on spending the whole day, you can buy a discounted Sunset Pass for the last three hours. Prices can increase on peak days, so it's best to review your options ahead of time so there are no surprises.

When planning your trip, don't forget that the American Dream Mall has many more attractions. In addition to the theme parks, there's also a Legoland Discovery Center, an arcade, an aquarium, and even a massive Ferris wheel called the Dream Wheel, which offers views of Manhattan across the river. Then, depending on the length of your vacation, you can also hit some of New York City's 12 places to check out for first-time visitors.