Kansas City may not be known for its sunny beaches or resorts, and its outdoor pools are definitely popular when school is out, but it certainly has some fantastic indoor water parks and swimming pools to make a splash! The city offers a variety of options, including hotel pools, that cater to all ages, making for a family friendly indoor adventure. Here’s a guide to the city’s most popular indoor water parks and swimming pools.
Great Wolf Lodge
Location: 10401 Cabela Drive, Kansas City, KS
Check out our full guide here.
- Waterpark Features: 38,000 square feet of indoor water park fun! The water is kept at 84 degrees year-round, and there are plenty of attractions in the park itself for all ages, including a water playground for littles, a lazy river, and multiple types of water slides.
- What to Expect to Pay: Depending on whether you’re pairing your water park visit with a stay at one of the lodge’s suites, the cost varies – but, there are great options for day passes! Typically, you can find a full day or a half day pass, to start – Great Wolf Lodge’s website also offers different promotions depending on the time of year or season.
YMCA Centers of Greater Kansas City
Location: Multiple locations across Kansas City
- Facilities: Many YMCAs feature several aquatic centers with pools that cater to all ages, including some locations that have a leisure pool, lap pool, and children’s area with water play features.
- Programs: They offer swimming lessons, family swim times, and water aerobics classes for adults.
- What to Expect to Pay: Unless you are a member which gives you access to all YMCAs in the metro, you can expect to pay $15 per adult, $8 per teen (ages 13-19), and $5 per youth (ages 0-12) for a day pass – these prices may vary by location.
Sleep Inn & Suites Indoor Water Park (Liberty Lagoon KC)
Location: 1840 N Church Rd, Liberty, M
- Waterpark and hotel: This budget-friendly hotel located in the northland has a 5,000 square foot indoor waterpark complete with a water slide kids love. The Liberty Lagoon KC website lists water slide hours as 4pm – 9pm on weekdays (Monday-Thursday) and 12pm – 3pm then 4pm – 9pm on weekends (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday). Otherwise, the pool is listed as open 9am to 10pm every day, with day passes available.
- What to Expect to Pay: If you’re not looking to pair your visit with a stay at the hotel, day passes are listed online at $20 each, valid from 9am – 6pm, and a max of two children under 2 are free per day pass.
Community Center Indoor Pools
Location: Various locations throughout Kansas City
- Lenexa Rec Center: Located at 17201 W 87th St Pkwy, Lenexa, KS, this metro favorite has an excellent indoor pool with a kiddie pool, lazy river, wellness pool, slides, and more. If you aren’t a member, you can purchase a day pass for $9 if you’re a resident of Lenexa, and $12 if not.
- Gladstone Community Center: This popular community center has separate pool areas for leisure (with zero depth entry, interactive playground, slide) and competition (lap lanes)! You can purchase a membership as a non-resident or a Gladstone resident for a discount – day passes are $12 each.
- Liberty Community Center: Though the outdoor pool and sprayground is very popular in the summer, the Liberty Community Center’s indoor pool is equally fun for kids with their slide, climbing wall, and diving board, as well as a zero-degree entry warm water pool. If you aren’t a member, you can purchase a day pass for $12.50 for adults, and $9.50 for ages 3-18. Ages 2 and under are free.
- Merriam Community Center: A newer facility, the Merriam Community Center has lap lanes, multiple slides, a lazy river, water playground, and a zero-depth entry pool. Expect to pay $11 for a day pass if you aren’t a resident, and $9 if you are – otherwise, a membership is always a great option!
Blue Springs Blue Surf Bay Waterpark
Location: 425 N.E. Mock Ave, Blue Springs, MO
- Unique Features: This waterpark has a large indoor pool that’s perfect for both leisurely swimming and fitness training, as they have a waterfall, diving platforms, a NinjaCross Course, splash pad, slide, sauna and hot tub.
- What to Expect to Pay: Like many centers, if you aren’t a member, you can purchase a day pass for $9 for an adult and $8 for ages 3-17 (if you live in certain zip codes: 64015, 64014, 64013, 64029, 64064, 64086, or 64057), or $18 for an adult and $16 for ages 3-17.
Kansas City has seen a great increase in spray grounds, splash pads, and outdoor pools, but its options for indoor waterparks and pools provide plenty of opportunities for aquatic fun and relaxation, too.