Do your summer travel plans include a trip to the largest waterpark in the Northwest? Are you content to let the kids play on their iPads from June to August? If not, it’s time to add a weekend to Meridian, Idaho to your bucket list.
Dubbed “The Center of the Treasure Valley,” Meridian is home to many gems, including Roaring Springs Waterpark and Wahooz Family Fun Zone. Both attractions are located next door to one another and promise a memorable two days for the entire family.
Ready to plan your trip? Here’s our play-by-play for an unforgettable getaway in Meridian.
Day 1: Arrived! Let the Adventure Begin
Meridian is a doable drive or direct flight from many major Northwest cities, so you can take your time getting here and still have time to explore.
After arriving in Meridian, check in at one of many hotels located a short distance away from Roaring Springs and Wahooz. If you choose to check out the city, there are plenty of indoor and outdoor activities to keep the little ones occupied, along with a variety of dining options to make mealtimes a breeze.
Day 2: A Million Gallons of Thrills at Roaring Springs Waterpark
Pack your (beach) bags for a fun-filled day in the sun and surf! Roaring Springs, now one of the largest waterparks in the entire U.S. after a major expansion in 2023, provides action for adventure seekers young and old(er). If relaxation is what you’re after, lounge in one of 16 luxury cabanas while the kids splash down more than 20 water attractions.
Hot Tip: Bring sunscreen, goggles, bathing suits, towels, water shoes/flip flops, reusable water bottles (no glass), and towels.
MAKE A SPLASH FASTER
Roaring Springs opens at 11 a.m., and if you buy your tickets in advance at www.roaringsprings.com, you can skip the ticket line, get your bags checked, and go right through the turnstile. If you have kids close to the 48” height requirement, stop at Guest Relations for a handy bracelet to skip height checks for kids 48” and taller at each attraction.
Once inside, claim a spot to serve as your family’s home base. Better yet, reserve a cabana in advance and you’ll have your own shaded oasis for the entire day. Booking a cabana comes with an additional perk: attentive servers ready to take your food and drink orders while you unwind. (Yes, please.)
Hot Tip: Our ticket pick is the Triple the Fun Pass, which gets you a full day admission at Roaring Springs and a Wahooz Ultimate Unlimited Fun Pass for a discounted rate.
SLIDE INTO SUMMER
Once you’ve gotten settled, it’s time to show the kids how it’s done — by dominating one (or all!) of Roaring Springs’ 20 water slides and attractions. Whether you’re riding single, double, or as a family, there’s a slide for everyone, ranging in intensity from mellow to exhilarating.
Adrenaline junkies will love Roaring Springs’ two family raft rides, including Mammoth Canyon, with banking curve after curve (in the dark!) and Thunder Falls, where you’ll catch air on three big drops. Easy riders can take a relaxing float around the meandering Endless River, with a refreshing waterfall along the way.
SIPS AND SNACKS
When you’re ready to recharge, eight food carts and restaurants onsite serve a variety of grub to satisfy even the pickiest eaters. We recommend sitting down for lunch at the newly built Geyser Grill and Bar — or order right from your cabana. There’s something for everyone, too, from tasty rice bowls and fried potstickers to kid favorites like pizza, burgers, shredded beef nachos, and mac-and-cheese bites. For those 21 and older, Idaho-inspired craft beers and signature cocktails are also available.
Hot Tip: Hot summer days call for a splurge on Dippin’ Dots (or, parents can sip on a Meridian Mule — our indulgence of choice when the craving for an adult beverage strikes).
DUNK (OR GET DUNKED)
Mosey over to the new Critter Crossing for a rousing match of water basketball, or navigate the adventure pool and its forest themed floating features. Another new kid-friendly attraction is Roaring Springs’ Camp IdaH20, a massive, wilderness-themed play structure with seven junior slides, over 80 interactive features, a shallow lagoon, and Tippin’ Tater, a 650-gallon potato tipping bucket.
RIVER RUN
Next, grab a kickboard and head to Class 5 Canyon to ride the waves of Idaho’s first action river. This is a whitewater experience for all ages, with life jackets available for less experienced swimmers. Also not to be missed: a head-to-head race down the four-lane Racing Ridge…the kids will love beating dad to the checkered flag.
TURN IN
As the sun sets on your first full day in Meridian, you’ll return to your hotel room with exhausted (but happy) kids, full tummies, and great memories. Success!
Day 3: Play All Day at Wahooz Family Fun Zone
Next, you’ll level up your weekend at Wahooz — Idaho’s largest family entertainment center. Here you’ll find 15 indoor and outdoor attractions, including miniature golf, bumper boats, go-karts, a ropes course, Twister ride, bowling, and over 80 indoor arcade games.
Hot Tip: As with Roaring Springs, you can purchase passes to Wahooz in advance online. Wahooz and Roaring Springs both offer Pay ’n Play cashless wristbands for easy transactions for parents, and kids.
TEE OFF
Start your day on the green with a lively round of miniature golf. Kids of all ages can put their putting skills to the test on two elaborately designed, 18-hole courses, Hillbilly Hollow and Caverns Mill. Now’s the time to show your competitive streak — there’s a surprise waiting if you sink a hole in one.
START YOUR ENGINES
Next, put your pedal to the metal and make some fast laps on the go-kart tracks. There are three options depending on age and skill level: rookie go-karts for young riders, a two-person ride around a two-level, eight figure track, and slick track for peel-outs and fishtails to the finish. As the day warms up, cool off with a water fight on the Blaster Boats.
GAME ON
Strike up a little fun at Pinz Bowling Center, located inside Wahooz. With 24 lanes and a dedicated dining area, there’s plenty of room to stretch your legs (and your bellies). Enjoy appetizers, entrees, and desserts served right at your lane, along with cocktails for the grownups.
Hot Tip: For dessert, order the Wahzookie Cookie. This shareable treat consists of a massive chocolate chip cookie served with cookie dough ice cream and a drizzle of caramel and chocolate sauce.
MISSION: POSSIBLE
Whether your family prefers the playground or the battleground, you’ll find several exciting skills-based attractions at Wahooz. A recently remodeled laser tag arena features full LED-illumination and enhanced sound, and laser mazes let you navigate the beams and test your spy skills.
For those wanting to swing, slide, and climb, check out the ropes course, climbing wall, and Ballocity, a four-level play structure with tubes, slides, bridges, and other obstacles.
RIDE ON
Continue the thrills with the indoor rides at Wahooz. Get a head start assessing your kiddos’ driving skills via bumper cars, or choose your own adventure with The Twister, which allows riders to spin their four swinging capsules to create the ride they want. XD Dark Ride, an eight-seat, full motion, 7D interactive experience allows you to compete with other riders in six different mini-movie adventures.
BEAT THE HIGH SCORE
Arcade enthusiasts will find games galore at Wahooz. Settle a sibling rivalry at the air hockey table, or have a friendly family pinball championship. Many of the games award top performers with points stored on your wristband to trade in at the end of your visit for prizes.
WIND DOWN
After three days of sun and games in Meridian, you’ll finally be able to check “unforgettable weekend with the kids” off your summer bucket list. Even better, everyone in the family will return home with memories to last a lifetime.