Visit the place that started it all. Credited with being the first indoor water park in the United States, the Polynesian Water Park Resort, which kicked off the Wisconsin Dells water-park craze in 1989, is still going strong today.

Accommodations include standard rooms and suites that sleep up to nine. The building is older, and it shows—instead of luxury amenities, you'll find...

Great Wolf Lodge was one of the country's first water-park resort franchises, and has a well-earned reputation for catering to kids. While not the largest of the Great Wolf resorts, the Traverse City Great Wolf Lodge is special due to its setting in one of northern Michigan's most vibrant and beautiful cities. With its north woods-themed guestrooms (choose from suites that offer kids' quarters...

In Wisconsin Dells, the self-styled "water-park capital of the world," resorts and hotels tend to cater almost exclusively to kids. Chula Vista is one notable exception, with family-friendly fun, yes, but also more diverse dining options, upscale amenities, and activities like golf and spa services to give your stay some grownup appeal.

Choose from standard king (with pullout sofa) or...

The Six Flags chain of amusement parks has long been a favorite port of call for fun-loving families across the United States. And in 2006, Six Flags jumped on the indoor water-park craze, opening the Six Flags Great Escape Lodge in the popular Lake George region of upstate New York.

Nestled amidst the majestic Adirondack mountains in scenic Queensbury, the lodge dishes up a variety...

Lots of resorts offer on-site water parks, but not many water parks give you a location like historic Niagara Falls. Guests at the Fallsview resort complex can choose from four hotels with direct indoor connections at a variety of rates and lodging types, including the four-star luxury of the Sheraton, the classic Crowne Plaza, and the family-oriented Skyway Inn. The value-conscious Hampton...

Lots of resorts offer on-site water parks, but not many water parks give you a location like historic Niagara Falls. Guests at the Fallsview resort complex can choose from four hotels with direct indoor connections at a variety of rates and lodging types, including the four-star luxury of the Sheraton, the classic Crowne Plaza, and the family-oriented Skyway Inn. The value-conscious Hampton...

Lots of resorts offer on-site water parks, but not many water parks give you a location like historic Niagara Falls. Guests at the Fallsview resort complex can choose from four hotels with direct indoor connections at a variety of rates and lodging types, including the four-star luxury of the Sheraton, the classic Crowne Plaza, and the family-oriented Skyway Inn. The value-conscious Hampton...

Those familiar with the inspiration behind the Waterpark of America's name—the nearby behemoth Mall of America—won't be surprised to learn that the resort thinks big. Featuring a ten-story slide tower and the longest indoor family raft ride in America, the 70,000-square-foot Waterpark of America—residing inside the Radisson Hotel—is the tallest indoor water park in the...

At only 30,000 square feet, the Wa Tiki Water Park is puny by mega-park standards. But the Wa Tiki, adjoined by both La Quinta Inn and Fairfield Inn and Suites in Rapid City, South Dakota, gets high marks for customer service and value, as well as its convenient location just a few miles from the popular tourists areas of the Black Hills, Mount Rushmore, and Crazy Horse...

Boyne Mountain has long been known as one of the premier ski and golf destinations in the Midwest, combining world-class facilities, charming shops and restaurants, and a laidback atmosphere against the backdrop of northern Michigan's natural beauty.

Now the destination has become even more family-friendly with the addition of the Mountain Grand Lodge, built in 2004. Boasting Avalanche...