Are you planning a trip to Great Wolf Lodge this year? Whether you're heading out of state for a vacation or enjoying a little staycation, there are SO many things to see and do at this awesome water park hotel. I've partnered with Great Wolf Lodge in Bloomington, Minnesota to share nine things you NEED to experience during your visit!
We visited Great Wolf Lodge in Bloomington, Minnesota at the beginning of the year and from the moment we left, our five year old has been begging to return. Since we aren't taking any big trips until next fall, we decided it would be fun to head a couple hours south and spend a weekend at Great Wolf. Our whole family had an absolute blast and I wanted to share some of our favorite activities!
Great Wolf Lodge - Bloomington, Minnesota
Climb a Rock Wall
Whether you're a child or adult, rock climbing is SO fun! Rustic Ridge Climbing Wall is 21 feet tall and has a variety of skill levels available.
Our five year old thinks the rock climbing wall is amazing! She would spend half the day here if she could. Our son is just two and a half but he wanted to try the wall, too. The workers were so patient and helpful which made it a great experience!
Complete a Ropes Course
Another experience related to heights, Howlers Peak Ropes Course was a huge hit with our five year old. She was tall enough to do it with an adult so my husband and I took turns with her. At first, she was nervous about falling (though totally safe in a harness!) but soon she was cruising along the course. I'll admit, I'm not very confident in my balancing abilities but it was still a blast!
Partake in Free Activities
There are so many free activities every day at Great Wolf Lodge. Some of our favorites were morning yoga and exercises, dance parties, storytime, meet and greets with Wiley and Violet, and bracelet making.
Upon check-in you'll get a pamphlet that gives you a schedule of all the activities in the lobby and other areas of the lodge for each day. While we didn't specifically plan around any, we found ourselves stopping to participate every time we saw one!
Make a Stuffed Animal Souvenir - I don't know about your kids, but mine are obsessed with stuffed animals. While we don't buy them often, I love the idea of getting a stuffed animal that you helped create as a souvenir from a family trip.
Our kids visited the Creation Station and each one picked out their favorite animal to stuff. They sell some adorable clothes to go with the creatures, but since our kids always remove stuffed animal and doll clothes we skipped them this time.
Go on a MagiQuest - I'll have to admit, we were REALLY excited about this one! If you have kids that are into video games or magic, they'll LOVE MagiQuest. Kids get to pick out their own wands and use them throughout the lodge on a quest to earn the title of Master Magi.
While our kids are only two and five, they loved waving their wands at various items throughout our stay that would glow or talk to them. Plus, our daughter completed the task of slaying the dragon! Next time we visit, she'll work more towards becoming a Master Magi.
Pan for Gemstones - If your kids are obsessed with rocks like mine are, they'll love this. They can sift and pan for gorgeous gemstones at Oliver's Mining Co. They'll get to keep the gems they find along with an identification chart!
Play Kid-Friendly Bowling - Ten Paw Alley is located on the second floor at Great Wolf Lodge in Bloomington. It's the perfect version of bowling for young kids where the lanes are shorter and the balls are lighter!
We played the enhanced version which takes photos of each guest and plays fun snippets on the screen while the pins reset. SO much fun!
Take Advantage of Wine Down Services - Our nine year anniversary is actually coming up this week so I wanted to surprise my husband and celebrate a little early with wine down services while we were at Great Wolf Lodge. They have a variety of options but I chose the Prosecco and chocolate covered strawberry pairing.
I got to set what time it would arrive in our room and we got to enjoy the late night treat while the kids dozed off!
Visit the Water Park - Now, this is probably a given. Even still, there are some water park features at this Great Wolf Lodge that you won't want to miss! Our kids spent a lot of time at Fort Mackenzie on the various slides and spraying water at each other.
Chinook Cove and Big Foot Pass were a lot of fun, too. There were quite a few 'big kids' playing basketball when we were in the waterpark, so we mostly stuck with other activities. Big Foot Pass was fun for the kids, though, and they each had to get across the lily pads a couple times.
If you like big slides, Great Wolf Lodge in Bloomington has quite a few! While we didn't try any of the body slides this time, we did tandem tubes with the kids on Alberta Falls and even took a family ride on River Canyon Run! My husband also gave the Wolf Rider Wipeout a try-you'll have to check out this simulated surf in our video.
We spent the most time in Slap Tail Pond and Crooked Creek! The wave pool is very family friendly and our kids loved coasting along and then heading down the lazy river. Our daughter was practicing plugging her nose and swimming under water and it's amazing to see how much she improved just over the weekend!
As you can see, there are SO many activities to keep you busy while visiting Great Wolf Lodge in Minnesota. While it's not all-inclusive, one of my favorite things is that we can park at the lodge and spend our whole weekend there. We never have to leave or find activities because there's always something to do at Great Wolf! If you're planning to take in some of the extra activities on-site, I would highly suggest buying a pass for your stay to save a significant amount of money. We were gifted the Wolf Passes this time which includes all of the activities I listed above, plus more! There are also two other pass options with less activities depending on the ages/interests of your kids.
Check out our video of all the fun we had at Great Wolf Lodge in Bloomington, Minnesota!
There are Great Wolf Lodge locations across the United States-check to see if there's one near you, or come visit us in Bloomington so we can share some "Minnesota Nice" with you! If you sign up for their emails, you'll get notified of discounts, too. Plan your next family vacation or stay-cation with Great Wolf Lodge!
Have you visited Great Wolf Lodge?
What's Your Favorite Attraction? Let me know in the comments!
Check out my post about the on-site dining options at Great Wolf Lodge in Bloomington, too!
Disclosure: I received one complimentary night and one night at a media rate along with two Wolf Passes in exchange for a post about Great Wolf Lodge in Bloomington, Minnesota. As always, all opinions are my own.
Marcie M. says
The Great Wold Lodge in Southern California is SO different from the one you went to. We do not have a rock climbing wall or a ropes course. We do have an outside swimming area and some really big slides. We love Great Wolf because it is a great place for the kids to play and not have to worry about sun block inside!
Amber deuel says
I've always wanted to go there, maybe even take the kids with( lol), I did not know they had all of these extra fun things to do also, mining for gems toooooo cool, stuffing animals neat, and they give you a schedule of things to do, even better. Thank you for sharing!!!
Sue E says
I’ve never been there. It looks like there is something for everyone to do and enjoy themselves! We are empty nesters, but this would be a great place to take our grandkids. Minnesota is not that far from us. We could even make this a family vacation.
This Was pin worthy! Thank you for sharing!
Dana Rodriguez says
This looks like a great place to visit for some family fun. I have heard a lot of great things about it!
Manda B says
This looks amazing! My kids would never want to leave the water park!!!
Denise Low says
Our Grandkids love Great Wolf Lodge. They went last year and they said there was so much to do.
Pat F says
this looks AMAZING! we have never been but will have to check it out when the little one is a bit older!
Kia Cobb says
Can’t wait to go
Sarah Hayes says
I cant wait to go back. I wish ours had a rock climbing wall though
Rosanne says
The climbing wall is something the kids as well as the adults would enjoy
Sue E says
I would love to have some water fun!! I didn’t get that much this year because of the awful weather!
Jay Jackson says
My brother loves to take his kids to the one in Williamsbug.
Sally Gearhart says
I'm really loving that you don't have to leave to find things to do. I know my kids would love this place! Thanks for sharing, we are definitely going to have to take a trip here!
Jeannette says
We did Great Wolf a few years ago. My kiddo still talks about all the fun he had, he especially liked dumping water on his dad's head with the giant bucket! LOL
Barbara says
I love the New England states. I haven’t traveled there in years. This sounds like a wonderful place to take the grandkids. So many activities to keep them busy.
Miranda says
They have so many fun things to do at Great Wolf Lodge! Everyone needs to visit one!
Tina says
This looks like such a fun place to visit. I will add it to my bucket list.
Laura Darden says
I love reading reviews about this place! Each one is so different! I will hopefully take the kids there this next vacay!
gloria patterson says
it looks like so much to do! Several of my friends have taken their family and plan on going back when they can. We need to look into what would be the cloest one for us to visit
Deborah D says
What a fun place!
Tina says
This place looks amazing. I love all the things you can do in one place so you aren't traveling all over town to have fun.
Miranda says
We love Great Wolf Lodge! What a fun place.
Jo-Ann Brightman says
There are so many amazing activities at this lodge. I would love to visit there.
Lauryn R says
This sounds like such a fun place to go as a family! I would absolutely love to visit one, there is SO much to do!
Denise Low says
Our son has taken the grand kids to Great Wolf Lodge and they just love it.
Yexenia says
This looks awesome! Would love to go.
Chasta howes says
This looks like so much fun. Seems to be a lot to do for all different ages.
Rochelle Wilson says
They opened a Great Wolf Lodge in our hometown (Colorado Speings) shortly after we moved. Really hoping to plan a family vacation there soon!
Kelly D says
This looks like a lot of fun. I think my kids would love the rock climbing wall.
Amanda Assencoa says
I love great wolf lodge
Nidhi C says
I haven't got a chance to visit Great wolf lodge. but now I want to go. it would be so much fun.
Cindi O says
We have heard about this place and wondered if it would be worth the trip. After reading your blog it really does look like the whole family would have a great time. Thank you!
wen budro says
Wow....I'm really impressed with the number of fun activities for kids. This looks like a great location for a wonderful family vacation.
Amanda says
This place looks like so much fun!
Kathy Haury says
We take an annual trip to the dells each June. I have not tried Great Wolf. I had no idea that they had so many activities. It's definitely something we will have to try out.
Kathy Haury says
Wisconsin Dells
Sheri Newell Anderson says
Wow this would be so much fun for my grandchildren and love how there is so much to do and that all the family would enjoy this. I'm from Iowa so it would be fun to visit family and then go enjoy this!
gloria patterson says
I don't think you would get any of the "Im bored, there is nothing to do." It looks like there is something for ever age to do. My niece has been talking to some friends about going to the one in Sandusky OH for a long weekend or middle of the week.
Miranda says
We love GWL! It's a great place for families to visit.
Amber Lee Kolb says
It looks like an amazing place for the kids! The girls are 11, 7, and 2. We are going to have to go to one.
Ashley Chassereau Parks says
This looks like the most fun place to visit! My kids would love a fun place to stay like this! We have 2 that are only a few hours away... the one in North Carolina and the one in Georgia. I love that this one has a climbing wall and of course the water park area looks like a must! I need to take my kids to stay at one of the lodges next winter!
Penny Branson LeBaron says
We are actually planning on a trip there later this year! It is a great and fun experience for all
gloria patterson says
This looks like a place that kids of all ages would have fun. A lot of adventures
Ashley Hill says
We haven’t visited yet but now I definitely am interested!!!!!
gloria patterson says
My niece is always looking for something new and fun for their vacation. She always starts her savings account again right after they back from vacation. this would be a good family time with this
Leela says
It looks like a great places to go to!
Ashley Hill says
Wow we have never been but our family has always talked about staying there especially as a place for all the cousins to make memories together. Looks like they have some fun events as well that they put on. Seems like a great place for the kiddos!!!
Karen D says
I've never been to Great Wolf Lodge. It sounds like fun!
MaryAnn says
I've been thinking about taking my family to Great Wolf Lodge. Thanks for the tips.
Lauryn R says
This definitely sounds like a really fun place to take the family! I love that they have so much to do, and the indoor water park would be a blast. I would love to take my family here someday!