February 4, 2020
By Kelly C.
You would think that I love wintertime, given the fact that I was born on what is usually the first day of winter. However, I actually struggle with the cold and gloom that mark many late autumn and winter days in Northeast Ohio, and I’m always searching for distractions from the gray outdoors. This time, my search led me to some unexpected fun at Kalahari Resorts indoor waterpark in Sandusky, Ohio.
I definitely wanted to wait until it was unbearably gloomy outdoors for my first overnight visit to Kalahari. Mid-November in Ohio did not disappoint. My only specific intention for the trip was to slide down a couple of water slides in an attempt to abate my premature winter blues. I accomplished that goal and more.
During the 24 hour trip, my husband and I tried out multiple water slides (including a water coaster), hung out at the indoor wave pool, and chilled in the outdoor spa.
It's hard to be bummed about chilly outdoor temperatures when riding the Swahili Swirl water slide, which actually ended up being my favorite slide in the complex. I had never been on this type of funnel raft ride before, and I found it truly thrilling.
Of course, there's more to do at Kalahari than just activities within the water park. We had breakfast at the Ivory Coast, and dinner at B-Lux Grill & Bar, both of which are full service restaurants that are worth checking out on their own, with or without a visit to the waterpark.
I felt the same way about the vast and vibrant arcade; you could visit just for that alone. We got to play Savannah Strike mini bowling, which was a new experience for me as well. I found it a lot more fun and fast paced than “full sized” bowling, even though my husband was the victor in both of our games.
Kalarhari also offers escape rooms, laser tag, indoor mini golf, and a salon and spa. We didn’t get to try any of those activities, but we’ll be back for sure. We know the bleak Ohio winters are inevitable, but it’s nice to have warm and inviting places like Kalarhari to look forward to visiting.
Photo Credit: Chris Cole