CoCo Key, Kansas City

CoCo Key Kansas City sits inside a hotel in Overland Park, making it one of those convenient indoor water parks where you can grab a room and never leave the building. The 55,000 square foot space feels massive when you walk in, with high ceilings and that humid, chlorine-scented air that hits you immediately. The centerpiece is a decent-sized wave pool that gets packed during peak times.

Kids absolutely love it, though adults might find the waves pretty gentle. The lazy river winds around a good portion of the park and moves at the perfect pace for floating with a tube. Multiple water slides provide the thrills, including a few tube slides and body slides that'll get your heart pumping without being too intense for younger riders.

The kids area is well-designed with smaller slides, dumping buckets, and interactive water features that keep little ones busy for hours. Parents can actually sit nearby on lounge chairs and keep an eye on everything. The arcade attached to the water park comes in handy when kids need a break from the water, though expect to spend extra money there.

Food options are typical hotel fare - pizza, burgers, and snacks from the poolside grill. Prices are what you'd expect at a captive venue, so consider eating beforehand if you're budget-conscious. The locker rooms are clean and spacious, which isn't always a given at indoor water parks.

Since it's indoors and climate-controlled, you can visit year-round, making it perfect for Kansas City winters. Arrive early if you're visiting on weekends or during school breaks. The place fills up fast and finding chairs becomes a real challenge.

The hotel package deals often make more sense than just buying day passes, especially if you're coming from out of town.