Missouri’s amusem*nt, theme and water parks are a great addition to your summer itinerary. Each park has activities that everyone in the family will enjoy. Whether it’s Silver Dollar City in Branson, Six Flags in St. Louis, Worlds of Fun in Kansas City, there is family fun and entertainment throughout the state.
Missouri Amusem*nt and Theme Parks
Silver Dollar City, Branson
Surrounded by the Ozark Mountains, Silver Dollar City is the oldest amusem*nt park in Missouri. Opened in 1960, this 1880s, country-style amusem*nt park celebrates the history of the Ozarks. There park offers 40 rides and attractions, live shows daily, and demonstrating craftsmen — bakers, blacksmiths, candy makers, glass blowers and so many more. Dressed in 1880s attire, these demonstrators perform their craft for guests’ enjoyment. Silver Dollar City is an internationally awarded location (No. 1 Theme Park in the Country by Tripadvisor), and once you visit, you’ll see why.
Six Flags St. Louis
This amusem*nt park features characters and rides from Warner Bros. films and TV shows. Six Flags St. Louis opened in 1971 and features over 45 rides and attractions (including the ones in adjacent Hurricane Harbor). They have thrill rides, family rides and kid rides — something for everyone! While you walk the streets, you’ll see Looney Tunes characters, hear country music from a saloon and watch shows that will entertain adults and children alike. Make sure to check out the main store right inside the gate. The space is filled with DC Comics and Warner Bros. souvenirs, candy and snacks. Right outside the main store is the popular ice cream parlor, First Cone. Their hand dipped, fresh baked waffle cones are delicious! In addition to First Cone, visit Friar Tuck’s — the massive roasted turkey legs are flavorful and a fan favorite.
Worlds of Fun, Kansas City
Worlds of Fun (plus Oceans of Fun) features 236 acres of rides and slides. There are roller coasters for adults and children, a whitewater rafting ride when you want a break from the heat (Fury of the Nile), small thrills for children at Planet Snoopy and live entertainment. Whatever you’re looking for, this park will have it. Stay near by at the Worlds of Fun Village, which 42 cottages and cabin rentals along with 82 RV sites. The lodging features modern-day amenities, a seasonal swimming pool and a convenience store. Everything you need for fun, relaxation and comfort is a step away at this amusem*nt park.
Bigfoot Fun Park, Branson
You don’t have to believe in Bigfoot’s existence to enjoy this theme park. Bigfoot Fun Park has a variety of attractions for all ages and skill levels. Get launched into the air on the Bigfoot Super Sling, putt through the Bigfoot Adventure Golf, participate in a totally immersive, interactive gaming experience on the 8Di Action Cinemas ride, plus so much more. The park’s signature ride is the Bigfoot Gravity Bomb, where riders experience a 200-foot free fall. Your whole family will enjoy the activities they have at this Sasquatch-themed park.
Missouri Outdoor Water Parks
Big Surf Waterpark, Lake of the Ozarks
While driving north on Highway 54, Big Surf Waterpark is easily identifiable — one of the park’s most popular rides, Zambezi Falls (a three-story half-pipe), runs parallel to the highway. Upon entering the park, there’s a massive wave pool that activates every 10 minutes. Rent a tube and ride the 600-foot lazy river that winds halfway through the park. There are also 300-foot waterslides, a Tropical Splash Island for younger kids and the Space Bowl — a first-of-its-kind ride in the U.S. that drops you into a 30-foot-wide bowl. If you want a break from the water, the venue has land activities, including sand volleyball, table tennis and basketball.
Oceans of Fun, Kansas City
With more than 60 acres, Oceans of Fun is the biggest water park in the Midwest. It is conveniently located next to Worlds of Fun, and guests can visit both parks for one admission fee. Oceans of Fun has exhilarating waterslides at Predators’ Plunge, a Caribbean Cooler lazy river and a Crocodile Isle is popular with the littles. Holding over 1 million gallons of water, Surf City Wave Pool will bob you up and down as the waves intermittently come in. Another famous attraction is Paradise Falls — buckets, slides and wheels offer excitement and fun as you climb multiple tiers on this water playground. Make sure to stand beneath the 1,000-gallon bucket that topples over every five minutes.
Hurricane Harbor, St. Louis
Hurricane Harbor is connected to Six Flags and is perfect for those wanting a break from the heat. For young children, take them to Adventure Cove. It’s a multilevel, engaging area with 71 electronic ignition features, a 750-gallon bucket, a wildly popular shipwrecked pirate ship and four water slides. Hurricane Bay is a massive wave pool with an 80-foot-tall volcano positioned at the end. For a moment of rest and relaxation, grab an inner tube and float along the lazy river. It’s 1,100 feet long and runs under bridges, past trees and through carved stone channels. Hurricane Harbor also has everything else you’d expect in a vast water park — large, closed and open slides like the Big Kahuna, where the whole family can enjoy gliding down a six-story-tall river of white foam and rushing water.
White Water, Branson
Voted as one of America’s Best Outdoor Water Parks by USA Today, White Water’s 13 acres include water rides, slides and waves. Race down the Kalani Towers Mat Racer, plug your nose as you soar down a 75-foot free fall at the drop slides or drift down Aloha River, an 800-foot river that will throw you into a world of rich Polynesian jungles. There is also an interactive Coconut Cove for young kids. Plan ahead for a “dive-in movie” night. During each Night Water date, White Water plays family-friendly films. Under the stars, the whole family can float in the wave pool as the film plays on a large screen.
Missouri Indoor Water Parks
Jolly Mon Indoor Water Park, Osage Beach, Lake of the Ozarks
You don’t have to leave your resort to have a water park experience. Jolly Mon Indoor Water Park is in Margaritaville Lake Resort, a lakeside resort nestled in Lake of the Ozarks. The water park is a 20,000-square-foot space with 600 feet of waterslides, a large whirlpool and a lazy river. The three-story wilderness tree house is a fun feature for kids (and those young at heart). It has slides, bridges, tunnels and an enormous 600-gallon tipping bucket. This indoor water park has all the features and things you need for a summer cooldown.
Splash Country Indoor & Outdoor Waterpark, Branson
Splash Country resides in Grand Country Resort. Guests at the resort get complimentary passes, so book a room and start splashing! It has an early-days mining theme with several, notable attractions. Highwall Heights has two new waterslides that will take you on a “mine blowing” adventure as you coast down 400 feet – hop on a raft and race your friend for the win! Hot tubs, a lazy river and a basketball area deck the space. Perhaps most notable is the Eureka Mine. Glide down the slide that curves through the Splash Country Glory Hole — the main gold source when it was a working mine. It’s a memorable experience when you can slide through an attraction where gold was once found!
