What is a summer vacation without some serious family pool time? The local swimming hole is a great place to cool off, but if you’re ready to bring your summer splash time to the next level, check out these hotels with epic pools featuring shipwrecked pirate boats, oversized candy bars, floating Lego figures, sky-high waterslides and more. Get ready to dive in to a summer vacation your family won’t forget with one of these spectacular pools within a short drive of the DMV.
Hershey Lodge - Hershey, PA (2 hours 15 minutes)
Get a sugar rush at this 30,000 square foot pool at the sweetest place on earth. From a Twizzlers Twists water slide to a Reese's Water Walk that features, you guessed it, oversized peanut butter cups, the hotel pool at Hershey Lodge checks off every candy lover's list. Other features include a zero-entry pool, a sand castle spray zone, a lighthouse tipping bucket and more.
To Do Nearby: Book your tickets for Hersheypark. The park has something for everyone. From thrilling coasters to classic family rides to an entire water park, there are countless ways to ride the day away. Eat at The Chocolatier, the all-new, full-service restaurant, bar, and patio. The restaurant serves up family fare with a fun spin and hints of chocolate.
Online: hersheylodge.com
Great Wolf Lodge - Williamsburg, VA (2 hours 37 minutes)
Explore all the levels of splashing fun in the best water fort treehouse you've ever seen—delight in the interactive water toys and kid-activated splash features. Then, escape via the Totem Tower body slides to start all over again. And listen for the bell; when it rings, the gigantic bucket on top is ready to tip. Finally, hop on the Alberta Falls water slide, which takes you right outside the building and back in again before your final drop into the plunge pool.
To Do Nearby: Colonial Williamsburg is the world's largest living history museum. The 301 acres feature iconic sites, working tradespeople, historic taverns, and two world-class art museums. Historic Jamestowne offers much to see and do too. A typical visit can last 2 to 3 hours, but those wishing to delve deeper into Jamestown's history can easily spend half a day or more exploring the island. See archaeology in action as the Jamestown Rediscovery team continues to excavate parts of the island.
Online: greatwolf.com
Hilton Ocean City Oceanfront Suites - Ocean City, MD (2 hours 40 minutes)
Admire the gorgeous Atlantic Ocean views from this oceanfront pool and hotel. Your whole crew will love the zero-entry splash pad near the shipwreck. Splash down the water slide and skip around under the fountains. Start your day at the epic pool and end it under the sunset on the beach steps away. You'll have the best of both worlds at this hotel.
To Do Nearby: Ocean City, MD, is full of family fun for everyone. At the hotel, you're only steps away from the town's boardwalk with a sky-high Ferris wheel and the best fries around. At the boardwalk's southern end, Trimper's Rides has hosted theme-park attractions for decades. In addition, the surrounding waters are active with kayaks and tour boats, some of which journey to the famous Assateague Island nearby. You might even see a wild pony on the beach.
Online: hilton.com
Kalahari - Poconos Mountains, PA (4 hours 3 minutes)
Plan a getaway you'll never forget at America's Largest Indoor Waterparks. You can try the very first (and only) Virtual Reality Waterslide in the United States. This VR waterslide brings a totally new dimension to waterpark fun. With multiple immersive experiences, your kiddos can throw on the headset and are instantly launched into a new realm as they ride down the waterslide.
To Do Nearby: Take the opportunity to check out NASCAR at Pocono Raceway. Go mountain biking or play paintball with your whole crew. The kids will love seeing the animals at the wild animal park. For a little slower pace, sightseeing on horseback or a scenic, historic train ride may be just what you all need right now.
Online: kalahariresorts.com
Crystal Springs Resort - Sussex County, NJ (4 hours 15 minutes)
The Biosphere is the first structure of its kind in the U.S. to incorporate advanced German Foiltec roofing material, allowing nearly 100% light transmission year-round. The retractable roof, which produces an extraordinary outdoor effect, is a genuinely unique feature in the Northeast. In addition, the exotic freeform pools are surrounded by lush tropical foliage, specially transported to be housed in the Biosphere. You won't want to miss the underground aquarium and a 140-foot water slide.
To Do Nearby: While you're in town, visit High Point State Park for a great family hike and a photo op in front of the monument. Stop by Windy Brow Farms to pick your own locally grown produce and get a taste of sweet farm life. Finally, take your little animal lover to Space Farms Zoo & Museum, a 100-acre zoo and museum complex full of furry friends to enjoy.
Online: crystalgolfresort.com
LEGOLAND - Goshen, NY (4 hours 26 minutes)
Just an hour from NYC - this immersive and interactive pool is some seriously LEGO-tastic fun for everyone. Swim beside life-sized LEGO figures and splash in the LEGO-themed play areas everywhere you look. You won't want to miss the exciting resort rooms, too, with every theme from Pirates to NINJAGO. Your tiny brick builder will love living the LEGO life underwater.
To Do Nearby: Goshen, N.Y., is a quaint community steeped in rich pre-revolutionary and farming history. It's located in the heart of the beautiful Hudson Valley region, amid the foothills of the Catskills Mountains and approximately one hour from New York City. If you are ready to explore, Broadway is open again, and there are tons of family-friendly shows starting up in the heart of the city and all the attractions throughout the region.
Online: legoland.com
Adventures on the Gorge - Lansing, WV (5 hours 12 minutes)
Right on the rim of New River Gorge and in the heart of the newest National Park, Canyon Falls Pool is the perfect place for your next family getaway. Whether splashing in the kiddie waterpark, admiring the ornate waterfalls, or sunbathing on the deck overlooking the gorge, your whole crew will be occupied for hours. You can choose from cabins, glamping tents and rental properties on-site. You can even try your hand at tent or RV camping during your visit.
To Do Nearby: A rugged, whitewater river flowing northward through deep canyons, the New River is among the oldest rivers on the continent. The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve encompasses over 70,000 acres of land along the New River, is rich in cultural and natural history, and offers many scenic and recreational opportunities. Book tons of nature-filled activities (starting at age 6) through Adventures on the Gorge.
Online: adventuresonthegorge.com
—Angelica Kajiwara
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