Water Parks

It may be called Santa’s Village, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t some tropical fun happening at this popular activity park. Interactive water play in the Polar Paradise includes multiple spray zones and small slides. The thrilling JOY Ride Slides feature three unique, twisty-turny slides, each three stories high, that speed you into a quiet run-out. There’s a splash pad for preschoolers with gentle fountains of water. And in the Ho Ho H20 attraction, there are splashes, slides, climbs – and a giant bucket that spills gallons of water every few minutes. Rent a cabana for up to six people or Santa’s super cabana for up to 12 and relax in between the water fun. Dine in a restaurant overlooking the park.

When you’re ready to cool down from visiting the life-sized dinosaurs on the nature trail at The Dinosaur Place at Nature’s Art Village, head on over to the park’s popular Splash Pad, a zero-depth water playground with over 30 dinosaur-themed features from dueling T-Rex and Velociraptor water cannons to a dino rib cage waterfall, dumping buckets and a Pteranodon who flies up from its nest when you happen to step on particular ground sensors. The Splash Pad, the largest in New England, with a separate area for infants and toddlers, has changing rooms and lots of seating where you can relax and watch the kids as they try to manage the Triceratops loop or avoid getting the Stegosaurus who tends to … spit.

It’s easy to see why the Whale’s Tail Waterpark is New England’s favorite water adventure park: There is something to get everyone excited. Thrill-seekers will flock to the dual speed water slides of The Plunge and the bobsled-style Harpoon Express course. Little ones love the gentle figure-eight course of the Beluga Boggin and the perfect wading water and fountains of Whale Harbor. Families have a blast at Shipwreck Island with massive bucket dumps and interactive multilevel sprayers. And everyone can unwind tubing down the lazy river of Jonah’s Escape or soaking in the 85-foot heated pool and giant hot tubs at Castaway Cove. There’s a full-service restaurant as well as a pizza and subs spot, a beach bar and private cabanas.

Chuckster’s Family Fun Park in Chichester, NH is a great stop for families looking to mix water play with classic amusement park fun. Their Chichester location features a large bumper boat pool with a waterfall and fountain, along with interactive water games like Shoot-N-Shower and Downpour Derby, where getting soaked is part of the competition. Beyond the water attractions, there are 16 games and activities including a go-kart speedway, Klime Wallz climbing courses, a 265-foot zipline, mini golf, and arcade-style challenges like ChucksterBall and Frantic Hoops. Chuckster’s also has a Hooksett, NH location known for being home to the world’s shortest AND longest, easiest AND most difficult mini golf holes!