Top Water Parks and Theme Parks in Vermont

With its majestic Green Mountains, lovely Lake Champlain, and endless acres of rolling farmland, Vermont is loaded with natural beauty. While the state might not be synonymous with traditional amusement parks, there are still a variety of options for family-friendly fun. Here’s a guide to the places in Vermont where you can enjoy park-like activities and thrills, primarily located at the state’s major ski resorts.

Smugglers’ Notch (Jeffersonville)

One of Vermont’s prominent ski resorts, Smugglers’ Notch, provides various water park and amusement park-like experiences once the ski equipment is tucked away for the winter. The FunZone serves as a family entertainment hub that features mini-golf, laser tag, a climbing wall, and various engaging activities. Furthermore, the resort has a year-round zip line and during summer months, guests can enjoy eight outdoor pools and four captivating water slides, coupled with a three-acre water playground. These activities are accessible to both resort guests and the general public.

Killington Adventure Center (Killington)

While Killington is famed primarily for its impressive ski slopes, the resort transforms into an adventure haven during the warmer months. Notable attractions include alpine tubing that allows passengers to glide down a mountain slope in inflatable tubes, along with an exhilarating obstacle course, climbing wall, zip lines, ropes course, jump tower, and trampoline jump.

Moreover, throughout both summer and winter seasons, visitors can enjoy the Beast Mountain Coaster. This alpine coaster features two-passenger vehicles racing along a track ingeniously constructed into Killington Mountain.

Mountain Adventure Park (Peru)

Mountain Adventure Park, located at Bromley Mountain, similarly changes from a ski resort in winter to an engaging summer park with various attractions. Visitors can delight in two water slides, including an inflatable slide explicitly designed for children.

Additionally, Mountain Adventure Park features thrilling rides like the Giant Swing, which propels passengers 40 feet in the air at 40 mph while subjecting them to 3 Gs of force. Two of the park’s unique attractions are Space Bikes, where riders pedal vehicles that flip them upside down, and Twin Spin, a self-propelled spinning ride. Further activities include an Alpine slide, zip line, bumper boats, chairlift rides, climbing wall, and mini-golf.

The Pump House (Jay)

Placed at the Jay Peak ski resort, The Pump House is an expansive indoor water park that remains climate-controlled year-round. Notable attractions include La Chute, which is the first water slide in an indoor park featuring a launch capsule and a thrilling 360-degree loop. Additionally, the park boasts a FlowRider surfing attraction, a lazy river, age-appropriate slides for little ones, and an interactive play structure with a tipping bucket. This park welcomes both resort guests and the general public.

In summer, visitors can also relish rides aboard the aerial tram to the summit of the mountain for breathtaking views.

Santa’s Land USA (Putney)

A quaint park, Santa’s Land USA has been enchanting visitors since 1957. The Christmas-themed destination features opportunities to meet Santa Claus, rides aboard the Alpine Express train, a carousel, a slide, and several kiddie rides. The park remains open from late June through Labor Day and offers festive experiences during the holiday season.

Nearby Parks

If you seek more traditional amusement parks equipped with roller coasters and outdoor water parks, you will need to venture into neighboring states. Below is a curated list of nearby parks worth visiting:

Canobie Lake Park in Salem, NH, is a wonderful trolley park featuring the Yankee Cannonball wooden coaster, with water park slides and additional attractions included with admission.

Santa’s Village in Jefferson, NH, is significantly larger than Vermont’s Santa’s Land, providing a fantastic array of rides and attractions.

Story Land in Glen, NH, offers a delightful storybook theme with various enticing rides.

Funtown Splashtown U.S.A. in Saco, ME, is an amusement park and water park that requires separate admission. Notable highlights include the Excalibur wooden coaster.

Six Flags New England in Agawam, MA, is an extensive amusement park hosting some of the country’s best roller coasters, accompanied by a substantial water park accessible with admission.

The Great Escape in Queensbury, NY, features a charming, storybook theme with exhilarating thrill rides and includes a water park with admission. Meanwhile, the year-round Six Flags Great Escape Lodge indoor water park resort lies next to the main park.