This winter has been snowy. And long. And snowy. And depressing. The good news is that we're within driving distance of several great indoor water parks.

This winter has been trying to say the least. Just when I thought it would start winding down, we got another 10 inches of snow dumped on us. I should have known better -- it's only February. Unfortunately, optimism got the best of me and now I'm extra bummed out every time I step out into the arctic treachery that befalls this great state anywhere from three to six months out of the year.

Rather than wallow in our miserable, sunless existence for another month or two, why not escape to warmer, happier thoughts? Sure, getting to a place where the sun is blazing and the beach is lovely takes a lot of time and money for us Mid-Michiganders, but fun at an indoor water park is totally feasible and may be just what the doctor ordered.

No matter what part of the state you hang your hat -- there is an indoor water park just a short road trip away. Sure, some are bigger than others, but there are enough options to provide you with a variety of driving distances and pricing options. I'm definitely thinking about breaking the monotony of this winter with a nice "beach day" at an indoor water park.

In no particular order, here they are:


 

1. Soaring Eagle Waterpark and Hotel - Mt. Pleasant

Two water slides, a lazy river, splash pad, Flow Rider indoor surfing, as well as aquatic basketball, rock-climbing, and more. Plus, it's right up the street from the Soaring Eagle Casino. Passes range from $18.99-$27.99, and four complimentary passes are bundled with your room when staying.


 

2. Zehnder's Splash Village - Frankenmuth

Michigan's largest indoor waterpark, just a short drive for us Mid-Michiganders, features "six-story family raft ride and super loop drop slide, zero-entry activity pool with water geysers, water basketball and volleyball, Action River, Splash Landing play area, Dumping Bucket, four-story tube slides," and more. Passes range in price from $31-$48 depending on day and amount of time, but you can get up to 4 free passes with a hotel room.


 

 3. Splash Universe - Dundee

Splash Universe features twisting water park slides, a 500-gallon splash bucket, a relaxing lazy river, an arcade, and more. They also have an escape room on-site, but rates for that are separate. Passes range from $12.99-$31.99, but you get 4 free passes when you book a room.


 

4. Great Wolf Lodge - Traverse City

Great Wolf features several waterslides, a tree house, everything else you'd expect at a waterpark, as well as a ton of bonus stuff for the adults at the resort including "unique attractions, dining options, shopping outlets and more."  They don't sell day passes, and resort packages vary in price depending on the date, but they do have rooms available for under $200.


 

5. Avalanche Bay Indoor Water Park - Boyne

Avalanche Bay also claims to be Michigan's biggest indoor waterpark, and features several slides, a giant splash pad, surfing simulator, lazy river, and more. Day passes range from $23-$47 depending on the day, age, and amount of time.


 

6. Gold Rush Indoor Water Park - Rothbury

Western Michigan's tallest indoor waterslide is just one of four they have on-site, in addition to the wave pool, toddler play area, lazy river, family spa, and more! Day passes are $20-$25.


 

7. Surfari Joe's - Watervliet

Joe's has "two extreme slides that funnel outside of the park landing you back inside with a big splash," a lazy river, activity pool, kid playland with slides, the Surfari Joe dumping bucket, arcade, and more. Day passes range from $10-$25.


 

8. Holiday Inn and Suites Grand Rapids South - Grand Rapids

While there are not as many bells and whistles as some of the bigger parks on the list, the Grand Rapids Holiday Inn does feature a mini-waterpark with an indoor activity pool, hot tub, lap pool, vortex pool, and a splash pad for the kiddos. Day passes are sold for $50 and will admit a family of 5 to the park.


 

9. Holland Aquatic Swim Center - Holland

Another smaller West Michigan indoor park that's not as attractive as some others on the list, but still offers a "50-meter diving pool, fitness room, hot tub, spinning vortex, water cannons, a 150-foot long slide, Therapy Pool and Splash Zone with slides and water toys." Single visits will run you about $7.


 

10. Bavarian Inn Waterpark - Frankenmuth

Another of the smaller attractions on the list boasts two Bavarian-themed waterslides, as well as an indoor miniature golf course and an arcade.

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