After a few months in a New England winter you start to think about warmer climates and maybe sitting on a beach with the kids dipping in a turquoise ocean and you sipping your favorite beverage under a warm sun and cloudless skies.

It’s understandable why so many people head to Florida during the winter of New England. But this is not an option for most and so what to do to bring some summer magic for those of us left behind?

Well if you can’t get to the tropics how about bringing the tropics to where you are – or at least close-by? Well, enterprising resorts in New England have done this and we share with you the more elaborate place located in New England that provide summer splash fun all-year round and especially during the winter months.

These resorts cater for families and though they may not be of the size of outdoor theme water parks they do provide a protected and winter warmth destination to reenergize your “batteries” in mid-winter.

Be aware many of these resorts cater primarily for guests of the resorts and may have limited access to non-guests. The good news on this is they don’t get too crowded, and they do have great deals for family weekend getaways.

Cape Codder Resort and Spa – Hyannis, Massachusetts:

The Cape Codder Resort and Spa in Hyannis has long been a favorite with families. Located centrally on Cape Cod and close to Cape Cod Mall it’s a perfect choice for a winter getaway and convenient for a base to explore the winter Cape scene.

The Cape Codder Indoor Wave Pool features 2-foot waves, along with water slides, waterfalls, and a large whirlpool. Overnight resort guests receive free admission to the pool, but daily tickets are also available for non-guests. Winter hours for the pool are Sunday-Thursday 8am-9pm and Friday-Saturday 8am-10pm

More details can be found here >>> Cape Codder Wave Pool

Coco Key Water Resort – Locations in Connecticut and Massachusetts:

Coco Key Water Resorts has three locations in New England: Waterbury, Connecticut, Fitchburg, Massachusetts, and the Boston location is at Danvers. The three indoor water parks vary in size – with Danvers being the largest at 65,000-sq ft – but all have the same basic elements.

You’ll be thrilled to hear that the temperature inside at these facilities is kept at a constant 84 degrees even if outside the weather is snowy and frigid!

All locations have the following facilities: Parrot’s Perch younger children activity area with huge bucket drenching every few minutes, fast-paced Coconut Grove Adventure River tube ride, Palm Grotto giant whirlpool, thrilling water slide rides such as Barracuda Blast and Pelican Plunge, Coral Reef Cavern activity pool, and Key Quest Arcade with video games and other interactive activities for the kids.

While the resorts are focused on the water parks and so encourage overnight guests by providing free passes to all the facilities for them, they do have a limited number of tickets for non-guests. Always check with the individual resort for ticket availability before starting out.

For Danvers, Massachusetts location more details here >>>

For Fitchburg, Massachusetts location more information here >>>

For Danbury, Connecticut location details here >>>

Kahuna Laguna – North Conway, New Hampshire:

The first tropical adventure to come to northern New England was at the Red Jacked Mountain View Resort in the heart of Mount Washington Valley at North Conway. You can ski some of the biggest and fastest mountains in the northeast during the day and relax in a warm tropical paradise after the slopes have closed. Or just spend all day in the year round 82 degrees of the Laguna – my preference!

The indoor water park covers 40,00-sq ft and includes four high-speed water slides, 3-foot wave pool where you can surf, waterfalls, a large hot tub, and a little kid’s play area with water cannons – hey not fair! – and a wading pool. And if you need a bite or play some dry land games then there’s the Tiki Tide Café and the Aloha Arcade.

More information about Kahuna Laguna here >>>

Pump House – Jay, Vermont:

In about as far north as you can go in Vermont before you’re speaking Canadian you’ll hit Jay Peak. And Jay Peak knows a lot about water fun even if up until now it’s been the frozen kind – or snow to skiers. Jay Peak is one of New England’s popular ski resorts but it’s now vying as a destination for water park thrill seekers.

Due to open in December 2011 The Pump House is Jay Peak’s answer to the water parks further south and it’s definitely going for the thrill seekers with the La Chute ride – an AquaLoop ride that starts 71-foot above ground and offers a black diamond ride where you’ll reach speeds of 40 mph and force of 2.5 Gs. For the less adventurous – me – there’s the long lazy river ride around the park, gentler water slides, and a surfing attraction called the FlowRider.

The park is 50,000-sq ft and in addition to the rides there’s an arcade, snack bar and a full restaurant. Get more of the scoop about the Pump House at Jay Peak here >>>

Any of these make for great getaway vacations and if you’d like to see other suggestions then check out our New England Getaway Vacations here >>>

Another New England post by one of our writers is being prepared right now so be sure to visit again or just subscribe to our RSS Feed here and get notified automatically of events and news.

Joan Daniels
Staff Writer
New England Online Magazine

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