Kansas Citians have been hit hard by winter this year, and need an escape from the season’s doldrums. But many of us have been hit just as hard by the state of the economy. A trip to Costa Rica or even Key West is out of the question. How can we indulge our quest for tropical temperatures in March and still stay in the affordable Midwest?
Look no farther than Kalahari Resort in Sandusky, Ohio—a climate-controlled oasis, which boasts America’s largest (173,000-square feet) indoor waterpark, a full-service spa, indoor mini-golf, a huge game room arcade, an arts and crafts activities center, and myriad dining, shopping and entertainment options.
Kalahari also has an outdoor waterpark but, as I found out when I stayed there last spring, the Midwestern weather doesn’t always cooperate with temperatures suitable for outdoor swimming. Besides, who needs to ever go outside when you’re staying at the Kalahari, with its tropical 86-degree temperature and the 1.3 million gallons of water in the indoor waterpark? You can relax and pretend that you’re soaking up the sun in the Caribbean and actually get a head start on your summer tan, courtesy of the waterpark’s Texlon transparent roof!
Kalahari has something for every member of the family. Little ones will enjoy the Kids Safari, an interactive play area for children ages six and under, which features slides, net crawls, tunnels, and interactive water toys. They’ll also love feeding carrots to the giraffes outside in the Safari Adventures Animal Park.
Older children and teens will be thrilled with the idea of surfing—yes, surfing!—indoors. You don’t have to be in Hawaii or Australia to experience an authentic wave-ripping ride. Kalahari has made surfing a popular sport in the landlocked Midwest, with the addition of the FlowRider, an indoor surfing attraction. To maximize the FlowRider experience, one-on-one lessons are available daily with expert lifeguards. (I’m told the experience is like riding a bar of soap!)
Moms like me will enjoy the Wave Pool, the indoor/outdoor whirlpool spa, and just floating on the “lazy” Zambezi River, which surrounds the entire indoor waterpark. When you’re totally mellowed out, you can relax even more in Spa Kalahari with a Seaweed Body Wrap or an Aromatherapy Massage.
Parents can have a splashing good time with their children shooting hoops in Kalahari’s 3,700-square-foot basketball pool or cooling down with blasts from water cannons at Crocodile Cove. The whole family can fit in a tube on the Victoria Falls raft ride. For even more family togetherness (and pampering), you can rent a cabana featuring comfortable furniture, an LCD television, a refrigerator, personal food and beverage service, phone/internet access, and an iPod dock.
There’s a smorgasbord of dining options at the resort—from Kahunaville Restaurant & Bar, which features dancing servers and juggling bartenders, to Café Mirage, where you can watch the chefs hand-tossing your pizza. Don’t forget to make a stop at the Candy Hut for a scrumptious caramel apple or ice cream.
After a day of fun, you can just head to your authentically African-themed guest room, which includes at least one TV, a microwave, mini-fridge, in-room safe, and internet access.
With so much entertainment under one roof, you’ll have a hard time believing that you’re still in the Midwest.
This is the second in a series on water parks in the Midwest. Be sure to read about Schlitterbahn Vacation Village Waterpark.
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