One Of America's Largest Water Parks Offers Family-Friendly Fun Just Outside Of Denver

Colorado is home to world-famous ski towns, epic mountains, and exciting cities. It's also home to one of the largest water parks in the country, and it's the perfect place to cool off and relax after enjoying some mountain adventures. Water World is located in the town of Federal Heights, a laid-back suburban neighborhood about 20 minutes from downtown Denver. Boulder, one of America's best college towns, is about 30 minutes away.

With a central location between two popular tourist destinations, the epic water park attracts locals from all over the region and travelers looking for fun ways to beat the heat. There are rides and attractions that people of all ages can enjoy, so it's one of the best family-friendly things to do in the region. There are so many things to experience when you visit Colorado, but it's definitely worth making room in your itinerary for a visit to Water World, especially if you're traveling with kids. 

The town of Federal Heights was founded back in 1940, and at the time, only 31 people lived there. Over the years the population has grown to about 12,000 people. Since it's so close to Denver, it's mostly residential. Water World is the town's main attraction, and each year hundreds of thousands of people visit. 

The massive water park is the perfect place to escape Colorado's sweltering summer days. Although the state is well known for its snowcapped peaks, frigid winters, and popular ski resorts, summer temperatures often climb to over 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Denver is known as the Mile High City because of its precise elevation, and when you're that far above sea level, the sun can be extremely intense. The air is hot and dry, which makes riding slides and swimming at Water World even more enjoyable for families. It's especially perfect for kids, and kids at heart. Before the day is done the entire family will be laughing, screaming, and splashing.

People who have visited the park absolutely loved the experience. "Yesterday was honestly one of the happiest days ever since I came to Colorado, and all because my family and I spent the day in Water world," a visitor called Len wrote in a review on Google. "There's so many fun options, crazy rides, theme rides and resting spots. I do believe my leg muscles got bigger because all the walking we had to do, carrying the floaters at each zone, but honestly even that feels fun with family." Water World has an average Google rating of 4.4 stars based on over 7,000 reviews. 

Water World covers 64 acres and has over 50 different rides and attractions to enjoy, so it's worth spending a full day there. The park is open from late May through early September, and the hours vary slightly throughout the season. It closes during inclement weather for safety reasons, so make sure you check the forecast before purchasing your tickets online. You can get a flexible ticket for use on any day for around $54 per adult and $49 per child, or opt for a fixed-day ticket for a reduced rate. More information is available on the Water World website.

You can reach the water park in about a half hour from Denver International Airport (DEN) by car. It's the largest airport in Colorado and one of the busiest in the country. It's serviced by pretty much all of the major U.S. airlines, so you'll have no trouble finding a flight. The expansive international hub also offers direct flights to cities all over the United States and across the globe. Car rentals in Denver usually cost around $40 per day, but if you book in advance, it is possible to find lower rates.

There are a few hotels that are located close to Water World, with more affordable rates than you'll generally find in Denver or Boulder. Chain hotels and motels like Quality Inn, DoubleTree, and Hampton Inn can all be found in the area with prices starting under $100 per night. If you're traveling with a big family, you can also opt for a short-term vacation rental. Airbnb and Vrbo have options starting at around $150 per night.