--Summer Vacation Ideas--
Holiday World is a well-liked 100-acre theme park plus water park, open early May to early October, and located in the town of Santa Claus, Indiana. (Holiday World used to be "Santa Claus Land" when it opened in 1946.) Sample driving times are: 6 hours from Chicago; 3 hours from Cincinnati; 3 hours from Indianapolis; 1 hour from Louisville Kentucky.
One fee buys admission to both Holiday World and the Splashin' Safari water park. In both, sodas, lemonade, iced tea and ice water are free*: a nice touch, and good moneysaver for families. More nice touches: free parking; picnic ground; family restrooms.
Another moneysaver: buy "Next Day Tickets" to return the next day, at a reduced price. Highlights of Holiday World :
- the theme park + water park combo (great on hot days)
- exciting wooden coasters, The Raven and The Legend
- The Voyage roller coast, with maximum "air-time"
- six shows, including a high-dive show
- several areas for little kids
- free sodas
H ighlight at Splashin' Safari:
- Jungle Racer five-story water slides
- Jungle Jets water "sprayground" with geysers, squirters, etc.
- family water rides, such as new Bakuli with 4-person inner tubes, and a six-story bowl
- Bahari giant themed wave pool
Parents of small kids will find:
- a kiddie play zone has tree houses, water sprinklers, more
- Santa sings and tells Christmas stories three times a day
- Holiday World has Rides for Little Ones
- Splashin' Safari has Water Rides for Little Ones
Holiday World & Splashin' Safari have been voted "World's Friendliest Park" multiple times, by readers of Amusement Today magazine.
Check Holiday World online, for ticket discounts. The Lake Rudolph Campground and RV Resort will rent you an RV, and has swimming pools, mini-golf, more. Tip: head to the water park in the morning and the theme park in the afternoon, to beat the crowds.
- back to A to Z Summer Vacations
- continue to "J" for Montreal Jazz Festival
*always check web site for updates!
