This Midwest Destination Is The Water Park Capital Of The World
By Amanda Finn
VACATIONS
Wisconsin Dells is the Waterpark Capital of the World. It is home to over 20 waterparks, over 200 waterslides, and, as of May 25, 2024, the tallest water slide in the country.
The city houses record-breaking waterparks, such as Noah's Ark WaterPark, the U.S.'s largest outdoor waterpark, and The Polynesian Water Park Resort, the first indoor waterpark.
Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort is the largest waterpark in the U.S., and the tallest waterslide in the country, The Rise of Icarus, resides at Mt. Olympus.
Wisconsin Dells has more indoor and outdoor water parks per capita than anywhere else, and having both options has been the key to the destination's success.
The Polynesian's indoor water park in 1989 kept the tourist spot from losing customers when the weather got cold. Now, there are a dozen indoor water parks in the Dells.