One Of The Midwest's Largest Amusement Parks Offers Family-Friendly Fun And Water Rides

Holidays are some of the most exciting times of year for families with small children. In the United States, the Christmas season is celebrated for weeks and weeks before December 25 arrives, and some fanatics even like to celebrate it in the summer. It's no surprise that kids love holidays. After all, they get to enjoy things like presents, time away from school, special treats, and plenty of quality time with family. One of the Midwest's largest amusement parks, Holiday World, attempts to replicate that magical celebratory feeling all summer long.

Holiday World is located in the town of Santa Claus, Indiana, so it's no wonder that the park takes the holiday spirit so seriously. The whole town leans into the Christmastime theme. The large theme park has plenty of exciting rides that the whole family will love. Classic coasters and water rides will have kids (and kids at heart) howling with laughter. The holiday spirit and decor featured throughout the park delights visitors from all over. 

Travelers who have kids that dream about Christmas year-round should definitely consider planning a trip to Holiday World, but there are also rides that celebrate Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Independence Day — in fact, those are four sections of the park. There's nothing quite like celebrating your favorite holiday in the middle of the summer, and while it may seem a little kitschy, it's a great place to enjoy some wholesome family-friendly fun.

Holiday World originally opened on August 3, 1946. At the time, it was called Santa Claus Land. According to the park's official website, it was the very first theme park in the world. The park's creator, Louis J. Koch, had nine children and adored Christmas. In order to offer families some extra holiday cheer when they visited Santa Claus, Indiana, he built a theme park with a toy shop, Christmas-themed rides, and a restaurant. The park remained family owned and continued to expand over the years. In 1993, a water park called Splashin' Safari was added. Now it covers over 300 acres.

There are several different themed areas that each have unique rides and activities for people of all ages. In the Christmas area you'll find plenty of kid-friendly options, like Prancer's Merry-Go-Round, Reindeer Games, and Comet's Rockets. There are holiday-themed restaurants, like Christmas Cupboard and the Candy Cane Confectionary. If you need a little caffeine, head to Polar Expresso. The Halloween area has some more thrilling rides for adults and older kids. Thanksgiving is home to one of the park's most iconic rides: The Voyage wooden roller coaster. It's over a mile long and is one of the longest wooden roller coasters in the world, according to the Holiday World website. The 4th of July area has patriotic attractions, and Splashin' Safari, featuring the world's longest water coaster, is the place to go when the kids need to cool off while the adults relax by the wave pool.

The festivities don't stop when the sun sets. End your day at Holiday World by catching Holidays in the Sky, a holiday-themed light show that features 500 synchronized drones. The show runs nightly from late June through early August. There is also a DJ dance party, and the grand finale is a fireworks show.

The town of Santa Claus, where Holiday World is located, is in the southwestern part of the state of Indiana. The nearest major city is Louisville, Kentucky, which is one of the most underrated cities for a summer vacation, according to travel pro Samantha Brown. The amusement park is only about an hour away from Louisville by car. Cincinnati, Ohio, which is quickly becoming a top-tourist destination, is about two and a half hours away. Indianapolis, the largest city in the state of Indiana, is just under three hours away.

All three cities have international airports and car rental options. Renting a car is a good idea if you plan to visit Holiday World and you're coming from out of state. Santa Claus is a small town, so public transportation and rideshares may be limited. Expect to pay anywhere from $40 to $60 per day for a car rental.

If you want to keep the holiday magic flowing even after you leave the amusement park, consider opting for one of the fun Christmas-themed accommodations in the town of Santa Claus. Santa's Cottages is a Holiday World resort that is located just two miles from the park. Prices start at around $145 per night. There are lakes for fishing, hammocks, and fire pits located around the property. Sun Outdoors Lake Rudolph is another option, with cabin rentals that can accommodate the whole family. It is located steps away from the park and there are 200 different units available, starting at around $180 per night. There are also campsites for tents and RVs. If you prefer a traditional hotel experience, Santa's Lodge and Resort is a festive option with year-round Christmas decor and an onsite restaurant. Rooms start at around $150 per night.