Cabin-Style Suites Above Massive Indoor Water Park

High above Fort Mackenzie—a four-story waterlogged treehouse that feels like it could be a part of Swiss Family Robinson or Pirates of the Caribbean—a 1,000-gallon bucket slowly fills with water. Suddenly, the big bucket topples, drenching those gathered below in a torrent of water. Heated to a balmy 84 degrees, Great Wolf Lodge Grand Mound’s indoor water park and its more than 11 splash-filled attractions draw visitors to this aquatic getaway no matter the season. In addition to braving Fort Mackenzie, you can crash into 3-foot waves at Slap Tail Pond, careen down a six-story funnel slide at Howlin’ Tornado, and unwind in the South Hot Springs warming pool.

The 56,000-square-foot water park is the pièce de résistance among many activities on the hotel's entertainment campus. During the MagiQuest live-action adventure, kids can wield magic wands and journey through a kingdom to encounter mythical pixies and dragons. More than 100 games such as skee-ball and virtual pinochle attract gamers to the Northern Lights Arcade, with prizes and games geared toward all ages. Scooops Kid Spa offers manicures and pedicures for pintsize patrons perched atop ice-cream-cone stools and banana-split thrones—free ice cream tops off each visit.

Six vacationers can comfortably sleep in the Grand Bear and Majestic Bear suites; both feature two TVs, natural log bed frames, and a sleeper sofa for extended hibernation.

Thurston County, Washington: Nature and History near Olympia's Hub

Near the southernmost tip of Puget Sound and anchored by the state capital, Olympia, Thurston County is made up of diverse terrain that contains the Chehalis River and Mount Rainier, the continental United States' fifth-tallest mountain.

Not far from the resort, downtown Centralia is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its 1900s-era architecture, including a post office and train depot. Along Tower Avenue, old-fashioned streetlights light the way as shoppers stroll to outlet stores and antique shops filled with vintage knickknacks.

Nearby, nature preserves such as the Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve sprawl over the South Sound's hills, providing a habitat for endangered wildlife, indigenous plants, and nature's growing teddy-bear population.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.