There are a few places that have become part of my kids’ childhood summers in Indianapolis, and the JCC outdoor waterpark is absolutely one of them. For the past three summers, we have had a summer membership at the JCC Indianapolis, and it has become one of our favorite ways to spend those hot, happy, “what should we do today?” summer afternoons.
I love a good day trip, a splash pad, a park adventure, and a special summer event, but there is something so wonderful about having one place you can return to again and again. The JCC waterpark has become that place for us. We pack towels, sunscreen, goggles, snacks, and whatever book I think I might actually read while the kids swim, and we head over for a few hours of easy summer fun.
An Indianapolis Waterpark My Kids Ask For All Summer
The Sid and Lois Eskenazi Water Park at the JCC Indianapolis feels like such a hidden gem for families. It is not just a pool. It is a full outdoor waterpark with space to swim, splash, slide, float, play, and meet up with friends. For our family, that is what makes the summer membership so worth it.
My kids love that every visit can look a little different. Some days they head straight for the two waterslides. Some days they want the lazy river first. Some days they spend most of their time in the pool with friends, making up games and practicing jumps. And some days, we do a little bit of everything because that is the beauty of having a membership. You do not have to squeeze all the fun into one visit.
One of Our Favorite Indianapolis Pools for Families
We have been summer members for three summers now, and one of my favorite things is how social it is. Every time we go, we seem to run into someone. Friends from school, friends from baseball, friends from the neighborhood, parents I know, kids my kids know, families we have seen here so many times that the JCC starts to feel like its own little summer community.
There is something really sweet about watching your kids spot their friends across the pool and take off running (no running at the pool), yelling their names like they have not seen each other in years, even though school ended three weeks ago. It makes summer feel connected. It gives kids a place to see their people. And it gives parents that little gift of not having to coordinate every single playdate in advance.
Waterslides, Swimming, and Big Kid Fun
The Adolph Biccard Lazy River is one of our favorite parts of the JCC waterpark. It is 300 feet long, and my kids use it in completely different ways depending on their mood.
Sometimes they float and relax, which lasts for about three minutes before someone decides it should become a race. Sometimes they just circle around and around with friends while I watch and wonder how they still have that much energy.
The waterslides are another huge draw for my kids. The JCC waterpark has two water slides, including a 150-foot flume slide and a 125-foot tube slide. These are the kind of attractions that keep older kids busy and excited, especially when they are there with friends.
My kids will ride the slides, swim back, talk to someone they know, ride again, and repeat that cycle until they finally remember they are starving. That is how you know it has been a successful pool day.
I also love that the JCC has space for kids who want to actually swim. The Competition Pool gives swimmers room to move, whether they are practicing, playing, or just enjoying deeper water. As kids get older, that matters. They still want fun, but they also want a pool that gives them space.
A Zero-Depth Pool and Interactive Pool for Younger Kids
One of the things that makes the JCC one of the best Indianapolis pools for families is that it works for different ages. The zero-depth pool is perfect for infants, toddlers, and younger kids who want to splash and play without being tossed straight into deeper water. It is also such a nice option for parents who are juggling little ones and need a spot that feels more manageable. This is where kids can splash, move around, and burn through that endless summer energy.
A Summer Pool Membership That Makes Life Easier
There are so many things I love about summer in Indianapolis, but summer can also get expensive and exhausting really fast. Summer camps, activities, events, attractions, road trips, meals out, and last-minute plans all add up. Our JCC summer membership gives us a go-to answer.
When we do not know what to do, we go to the JCC. When it is too hot for the park, we go to the JCC. When the kids want to see friends, we go to the JCC. When I want them to have a fun summer day without turning it into a giant production, we go to the JCC.
I also appreciate that there are places for families to settle in. Families have a spot to cool off, sit under umbrellas, relax on outdoor furniture, and stay close to the pool fun. Some days, I am in the water with my kids, some days, I am sitting nearby watching them play with friends and some days, I am chatting with another parent from school or the neighborhood.
More Than an Outdoor Pool in Indianapolis
The outdoor waterpark is the reason we get our summer membership, but the JCC membership also includes access to other amenities, which is a great bonus. Families can look into the indoor pools, fitness center, aquatics classes, swim lessons, sports, and other programs offered at the JCC.
For our family, though, the outdoor pool and waterpark are the stars of summer. That is where we spend our long afternoons. That is where my kids see their friends. That is where we cool off, reconnect, and make the kind of simple summer memories that do not require a packed itinerary.
Is a JCC Summer Membership Worth It?
For us, yes. Absolutely yes.
After three summers as JCC summer members, I can honestly say it has become one of the easiest and best parts of our summer. My kids love it. I love that they love it. I love that we see our school friends, baseball friends, and neighborhood friends there. I love that we can go for a few hours or stay for the whole afternoon. I love that it feels like a summer tradition now.
If you are looking for an Indianapolis waterpark, an outdoor pool in Indianapolis, or a summer pool membership that gives your family a place to return to all season long, the JCC Indianapolis is worth checking out. For our family, it has become one of those places that just feels like summer.
Address
6701 Hoover Road
Indianapolis
Indiana
Visit Eskenazi Water Park & Pools | JCC Waterpark and Outdoor Pool
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