It has been brutally cold in Michigan for weeks, and there does not seem to be any relief in sight. While most of us cannot take time off work or spend the money on a tropical vacation to Florida or a Caribbean cruise, even for a long weekend, there are still fun options much closer to home.

Why Michigan Has So Many Indoor Water Parks

If you need a taste of summer in the middle of this bitter cold, the Great Lakes State has you covered, literally. Because Michigan weather is unpredictable year round, the state is home to several indoor water parks scattered across the map.

READ MORE: Michigan's Biggest Indoor Water Park is Now Open

In fact, there are two right here in Mid-Michigan less than an hour away from Flint. Frankenmuth is home to both Zehnder’s Splash Village and the newly renovated Bavarian Inn Lodge Water Park, which is now the largest indoor water park in Michigan.

Other Indoor Water Parks Across Michigan

According to Pure Michigan there are close to a dozen indoor water parks that operate year-round, even when it's freezing outside.

Michigan Indoor Waterparks

  • Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark (Boyne Falls): Michigan’s largest indoor waterpark, featuring 5 slides, a lazy river, and a surf simulator.
  • Zehnder’s Splash Village Hotel & Waterpark (Frankenmuth): Features a retractable roof, a six-story family raft ride, and a lazy river.
  • Soaring Eagle Waterpark and Hotel (Mt. Pleasant): Known for its FlowRider surf simulator, large slides, and a kids’ cove.
  • Gold Rush Indoor Waterpark (Rothbury): A 60,000-square-foot indoor park with a 45-foot-tall water slide.
  • Great Wolf Lodge (Traverse City): Offers a large indoor pool area, themed slides, and a water fort treehouse.
  • Splash Universe Water Park Resort (Dundee): A 100,000-gallon indoor waterpark with numerous slides and a tube coaster.
  • Surfari Joe’s Indoor Wilderness Water Park (Watervliet): Features slides that extend outside the building, a lazy river, and an adventure play island.
  • Bavarian Inn Lodge Waterpark (Frankenmuth): Recently expanded, offering multiple pools, slides, and family attractions.
  • Lakeside Resort Waterpark (Houghton Lake): A 9,000-square-foot waterpark with a pool, slide, and hot tub.

Floating Water Parks in Michigan You’ve Gotta See

Ready to bounce, slide, and splash? These floating water parks in Michigan are serving up serious summer fun for all ages. Take a look!

Gallery Credit: Tony LaBrie

10 Michigan Cities to Avoid After Dark in 2026

The security experts at Reolink didn’t go off vibes or reputation here. They dug into recent crime data, comparing violent and property crime rates per 100,000 people to keep things fair. The cities that landed on the list are the ones where serious crimes like robberies, burglaries, and car thefts happen more often, based on the numbers, not the rumor mill.

Gallery Credit: Scott Clow

20+ Birds Around Michigan You'll See During The Winter

While much of Michigan's bird populations head south for the winter, plenty stay here throughout the cold. Crazily enough, some even head North instead. Bird information courtesy of perkypet.com

Gallery Credit: Tommy McNeill

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