You don’t need summer weather to visit an amusement park! You can find all the elements of a great amusement park—including roller coasters and rides, midway games and delicious food—at these indoor amusement parks across the U.S. Here are eight places to play indoors, even when snow or rain covers the ground outdoors.
1. Nickelodeon Universe – Rutherford, NJ
Nickelodeon Universe at the American Dream mall in Rutherford, New Jersey, spans 8.5 acres, making it the largest indoor amusement park in North America. Opened in 2019, it features 35-plus roller coasters, rides and attractions (including live entertainment on the Nickelodeon Slime Stage), as well as meet-and-greet opportunities with Dora the Explorer, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and SpongeBob. Bonus: Dreams Mall also has a newly opened indoor skating rink and will soon welcome an indoor water park.
Recommended Hotel: Hilton Meadowlands
2. Nickelodeon Universe – Bloomington, MN
The country’s biggest mall is also home to a huge indoor amusement park, complete with roller coasters and a Ferris wheel. Kid-friendly Nickelodeon brings its universe to the Mall of America, with thrill rides, log flumes, kiddie rides and more. With a Nick-based theme park, young kids won’t find as many height restrictions as they do at outdoor amusement parks, but thrills can still be found for older guests on rides that dip, spin and twirl.
Recommended Hotel: Radisson Hotel Bloomington by Mall of America
3. Adventuredome – Las Vegas, NV
Vegas isn’t just for adults! At Circus Circus, you’ll find the 5-acre Adventuredome, an indoor theme park featuring roller coasters, water rides, free-fall towers, laser tag, bumper cars and more. The casino’s hottest thrill rides include the Canyon Blaster, Inverter, Sling Shot and El Loco—the names should say enough to make your teen excited. Toddlers will like the smaller, easy-going carousel and rides in the dedicated section for younger kids.
Recommended Hotel: Circus Circus Hotel & Casino Las Vegas
4. I-X Indoor Amusement Park – Cleveland, OH
This 20-acre indoor park, located in Cleveland, Ohio, features the Kidzville zone for small kids and Thrill City for adventure seekers, both with Ferris wheels. I-X Indoor Amusement Park also offers roller coasters, a Scrambler, Tilt-a-Whirl, water flume, swings, ziplines and a carousel. Be sure to catch a live show while you’re there.
Recommended Hotel: Sonesta ES Suites Cleveland Airport
5. iPlay America – Freehold, NJ
The 115,000-square-foot iPlay America, located “where the city meets the boardwalk,” features a go-kart speedway, Skyscraper ride, Kite Flyer, Happy Swing, Dizzy Dragons and bumper cars for thrills, as well as more than 200 arcade games where kids can test their skills and challenge their competitive siblings. When you need a break, grab a bite to eat at City Square Bar & Grille or Sonny’s Boardwalk Grill.
Recommended Hotel: Radisson Hotel Freehold
6. Parthenon at Mount Olympus Resort – Wisconsin Dells, WI
One of the best indoor water park resorts in the. U.S. is also home to an indoor amusement park! Mt. Olympus offers an indoor amusement park with a kiddie swing, spring ride, spinning teacups, bumper cars, laser tag, rock climbing wall, and go-karts. There’s also an arcade an onsite accommodations and dining. Water park, amusement park, sleep, repeat!
Recommended Hotel: Mount Olympus Resort
7. Tom Foolerys Adventure Park at Kalahari Resort – Wisconsin Dells, WI
Like Mt. Olympus, Kalahari offers both an indoor water park and theme park (as well as onsite accommodations and restaurants)! Called Tom Foolerys Adventure Park, this indoor amusement park offers a roller coaster, zombie apocalypse attraction (Arizona Sunshine) and optical illusion tunnel for older kids, while youngsters can enjoy the carousel, Lil’ Toucan Climb ropes course and Sky Rangers airplane ride. Other attractions include a rock climbing wall and Ferris wheel.
Recommended Hotel: Kalahari Resorts & Conventions – Wisconsin Dells
8. Funplex – Houston, TX
The Funplex in Houston has it all: rides including bumper cars, a giant trampoline, and Ferris wheel; activities such as bowling, go-karts and roller skating; and more than 140 arcade games. This indoor amusement park—perfect for all ages—also offers virtual reality roller coaster, car and motorcycle experiences!
Recommended Hotel: Homewood Suites by Hilton Houston – Westchase
9. KidZania USA – Frisco, TX
Okay, so it’s not quite an indoor amusement park since it doesn’t offer roller coasters and rides. But it does offer unique amusements you won’t find anywhere else in the U.S. (yet). KidZania, which is an interactive kid-sized city, gives kids the opportunity to try more than 100 professions—firefighter, journalist, surgeon, you name it. Designed for ages 4 to 14, each activity teaches kids valuable life skills while inspiring them to be creative. KidZania will open its first location in Frisco, Texas, in fall 2019, with plans to expand throughout the U.S. in coming years.
Recommended Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn Frisco
Our team of parents and travel experts chooses each product and service we recommend. Anything you purchase through links on our site may earn us a commission.
