Hersheypark Boardwalk vs Aqua Mountain Resort
A side-by-side look at two water parks — rides, prices, amenities, and which one fits your trip.
Which Park Is Right for You?
Quick verdicts based on what each park offers.
Amenities Compared
What each park offers, side by side.
| Feature | Hersheypark Boardwalk | Aqua Mountain Resort |
|---|---|---|
| Parking |
Only at Hersheypark Boardwalk
- water slides
- lazy river
- wave pool
- kids area
- cabana rentals
- food court
- lockers
- changing rooms
- gift shop
- Parking
- tube rentals
- swimming pool
- picnic areas
- birthday party packages
- group rates
- season passes
About Each Park
Hersheypark Boardwalk
Pennsylvania
Hersheypark Boardwalk sits right next to the famous chocolate theme park in Hershey, giving you that classic Pennsylvania vacation vibe with the sweet smell of chocolate in the air. This outdoor water park feels like an old-school boardwalk experience, complete with wooden decking and that nostalgic summer atmosphere that Hershey does so well. The water slides here range from family-friendly tube rides to some decent thrill slides that'll get your heart pumping. The lazy river is solid - not the longest I've floated, but perfect for cooling off between rides. Kids absolutely love the interactive play structure with dumping buckets and smaller slides, plus there's a dedicated shallow area where little ones can splash safely while parents keep watch from nearby lounge chairs. The wave pool generates decent waves every few minutes, though it can get packed during peak summer days. What really sets this place apart is how it connects to the larger Hersheypark experience. You can do combo tickets and bounce between the theme park and water park, which is perfect for families who want variety. The theming feels authentic rather than corporate, with plenty of chocolate-themed touches that kids get a kick out of. I'd recommend arriving when they open, especially on weekends, because the slide lines can get brutal by noon. The food options are typical water park fare but decent quality, and you'll pay theme park prices. Rent a cabana if you're visiting during peak season - the shade is worth every penny when it…
Read the full Hersheypark Boardwalk guide →Aqua Mountain Resort
Maryland
Aqua Mountain Resort was one of those ambitious indoor water park projects that never quite made it off the drawing board. Originally planned as a 78,000 square foot indoor water paradise in Maryland, this facility was supposed to open in 2013 but ultimately never materialized. The concept looked promising on paper - a year-round indoor water destination that would have given Maryland families a home-grown alternative to the Kalahari and Great Wolf Lodge resorts they typically drive to in other states. The plans called for the usual indoor water park lineup: a multi-story play structure with tipping buckets and slides, a lazy river for floating, body slides and tube slides of varying intensities, plus a wave pool for that beach-like experience regardless of the weather outside. Indoor water parks like this are perfect for families with kids who want guaranteed fun no matter if it's snowing or 100 degrees outside. The target seemed to be families with children ages 3-14, though most indoor parks throw in a few bigger slides for the teenagers and adults. What would have made Aqua Mountain interesting is Maryland's lack of major indoor water attractions - this could have been a real destination for the Baltimore and Washington DC metro areas. Indoor parks work best when you arrive right when they open to avoid crowds, especially during winter months and school breaks when everyone has the same idea. Most successful indoor water parks are attached to hotels so families can make it a weekend getaway,…
Read the full Aqua Mountain Resort guide →Ready to visit Hersheypark Boardwalk?