Record breaking waterslides and world famous roller coasters attract thrill seekers from all over the glove to this Indiana attraction. Holdiay World and Splashin’ Safari has been entertaining Hoosier families for decades. This Indiana park lives up to its name, featuring four main themes throughout the park. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Fourth of July and Christmas are celebrated here all year long. For a wet-and-wild adventure at the waterpark plan a summertime day trip from Indianapolis to Santa Claus, Indiana.
Louis Koch opened the world’s very first theme park in 1946, and it was originally named Santa Claus Land. In 1984, the name of the Indiana business changed to Holiday World, and altogether the park has seen over one million visitors. Some say it’s the best theme park experience in the country. Perhaps that’s because of the awesome rides or maybe it’s the free flowing soft drinks. At Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari, sun-screen and soda pop is absolutely free of charge. Actually the entire day trip is very affordable, with admission tickets ranging from $25-150 (for a season pass). Guests also note the cleanliness of the park, and it’s consistently named among the cleanest theme parks in the world.
Spashin’ Safari is the largest water park in the Crossroads of America. It opened in 1995, and during those humid summer afternoons it’s the perfect place to cool off. Eight family waterslides, two wave pools, a lazy river,and many other features make a day trip to Splashin Safari unforgettable. One of the most recent slides built is the Bakuli, a winding seven story, spiraling waterslide for families and groups to experience together on one giant inner tube. Bakuli was recently voted the best new water ride on Earth. Hundreds of water pay toys and a kiddie pool are the highlight for younger Indiana kids. Pilgrims Plunge takes swimmers on a 50 mile per hour drop for 135 feet, and it’s so steep at 45 degrees that it feels like straight down.
Roller coasters at Holiday World have been breaking records and defying gravity since the pack opened. The world’s longest water coaster is the Wildebeast at Splashin’ Safari. The Voyage is another award winning roller coaster that stretches for 1.2 miles and has three huge drops that are all longer than 100 feet. It’s known as the best wooden roller coaster on the globe. The Rave is another wooden coaster at Holiday World that made the ranks of top 5 worldwide.
In the heat of summer it’s nice to get cool by the pool at Splashin’ Safari. Holiday World is open from May through mid-August daily, and on weekends through October. Extend the day trip to a whole vacation and check at some of the other nearby attractions. Just a few miles northeast of Santa Claus is where Abraham Lincoln grew up from age seven to 21. The Lincoln Living Historical Farm and Lincoln State Park are tributes to the former president’s history in Indiana. Other day trip destinations close to Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari are Doctor Ted’s Musical Marvels, Angel Mounds State Historic Site, Marengo Cave and the Dubois County Museum. Dozens of other attractions and fun things to do in Indianapolis and its environs can be discovered along the route from Indianapolis to Santa Claus.
Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari
452 East Christmas Boulevard
Santa Claus, Indiana 46579
812.937.4401
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