Visiting Massanutten Resort and Water Park with Kids

Massanutten Resort is well-known among DC families as a winter ski destination, but it actually offers four seasons of family fun. My family was invited to visit Massanutten ahead of its summer-season kickoff to check out activities and experiences that go beyond the ski and tubing hills.

In full disclosure, this was not our first visit to Massanutten Resort. My family has visited during a winter ski season and over a fall long weekend. We had a blast each time.

During this trip, my 13-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son tried nearly every activity available and could not pick just one favorite. That's how much fun they had! Read on for my full review of Massanutten Resort and my tips on how to make the most of a trip there.

Check out our Guide to Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways for more great places to visit near DC.

What to Know About Massanutten Resort

Massanutten Resort is a roughly two-hour drive from DC, on the edges of Shenandoah National Park. It spans 6,000 acres and has activities for just about every interest. There is the indoor/outdoor Massanutten water park, hiking and biking trails, skiing in winter, two golf courses, a family adventure park, and lots of other activities. There is no reason to ever be bored, but there's also plenty of opportunity to just sit and take in the mountains.

Because there is so much to choose from, I would recommend planning the activities you want to do ahead of time and making reservations when possible. I haven't figured out a way to do fit everything in over a three-day weekend, though I've sure tried. Almost all activities and experiences (including the Massanutten water park) have a fee, and for most, you can walk up day-of.

Another thing to note is that you need to have a car at Massanutten Resort. While some activities are central to one area, most are spread across the resort.

Accommodations at Massanutten Resort

Just about every type of accommodation is available at Massanutten, including hotel rooms, condos, villas, and houses. They are located on either the mountain side (ski resort) or the valley side (water park) of the resort. Prices are seasonal.

During our recent trip, we stayed in the Regal Vistas. They are part of a newer development of duplex houses in the valley that sleep six people, but can be combined with the other half of the duplex to sleep 12. The houses come with a full kitchen, a garage, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a washer/dryer, and a neighborhood pool open in the summer. We were no more than 10 minutes from activities and restaurants around the resort, and were quite comfortable in the space.

On past trips, we've rented a house with other families and also stayed in one of the on-site condos. We haven't been disappointed in any of the places we've stayed.

My advice for choosing lodging is to use the online booking tool, which will generate all availability based on the number of people in your party and your dates. From there, you can narrow down the right fit based on price, amenities you want or need, and where you want to be located within the resort. The options are nearly limitless, which can be a bit overwhelming at first glance, though it's quite simple once you start the booking process.

The North Lobby, where you check in, is open 24 hours and has a concierge on site. The staff is helpful in answering questions, pointing you in the right direction, and suggesting activities.

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Splash and play the day away at Massanutten Water Park. 

Kid-Friendly Activities at Massanutten Resort

1. Massanutten Water Park

A highlight of the trip for my kids was the indoor/outdoor Massanutten Water Park. The central feature—the giant Massanutten Meltdown water playhouse—was closed for maintenance while we were there, but that didn't diminish our enjoyment of the slides, the lazy river, and the FlowRider surf simulator. The slides are really fun, and even my husband and I enjoyed riding down on inflatables together.

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Hang Ten on the FlowRider surf simulator.

My kids took a two-hour lesson on the FlowRider, which gave them the confidence to do both stand-up and boogie-board styles. My kids love adrenaline rushes, so this was a perfect activity for them, though the water does shoot you back when you fall and they did have some bumps and bruises. FlowRider lessons are available for an additional fee.

Open year-round, the water park has variable pricing and hours depending on the season. Advance reservations are recommended, as it sells out quickly. Lifeguards are on duty, but children must be supervised. A 42" height minimum is enforced for bigger slides and FlowRider lessons. Lockers are available for rent, which I highly recommend to store belongings. There is a snack bar with lots of options (outside food is not allowed). Don't forget your towels.

The Massanutten Water Park facility also has a full restaurant and an arcade for waterless fun.

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Gen mining is one of several fun activities at Massanutten's Family Adventure Park.

2. Family Adventure Park

Our first stop at Massanutten is always the Family Adventure Park with a zip line, a kids' adventure course, tubing, rock climbing, a bounce house, and gem mining. For the adventurous kid, this is a fabulous playland with heights and speed.

You can select which activities you're interested in and pay for what you want to do. Most activities give you the option to pay for more than one attempt, ride, or use. Plan to spend a couple of hours there.

The adventure park is weather- and season-dependent, and is only open Fridays through Sundays. Tubing is open in both the summer and winter. Weight and age restrictions apply to each activity.

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3. More Family-Friendly Activities

Near the Family Adventure Park are several other activities that my kids never want to miss, especially the go-karts, bumper cars, and mini golf. During this trip, we were able to try Perfect Break, which has two Top Golf suites and several Game Up esports rigs. In the Top Golf suite, we enjoyed two hours of intense competition across several sports and games.

Massanutten Resort also has two escape rooms and Real Escapes VR.

4. Outdoor Recreation

If your family enjoys a little more outdoor or unscheduled time, Massanutten offers hiking, mountain biking, pools, pickleball courts, playgrounds, and other recreation opportunities. Horse enthusiasts can take advantage of the stables, and kids might be interested in the petting farm.

The closest entrance to Shenandoah National Park is a short 20-minute drive. I recommend arriving early to avoid entrance lines, especially during peak seasons and weekends.

RELATED: Best Ski Resorts Near DC for Kids and Families

If you've never played Fling Golf, be sure to give it a try during your stay at Massanutten Resort!

5. Golfing

A new-to-us activity we tried on our trip was Fling Golf. Imagine a marriage of traditional golf and lacrosse. My kids like a zany sport, and that is what Fling Golf is. If you're a traditional golfer, this will take a little time to wrap your mind around—the fling and traditional golfers share the same links, and there doesn't seem to be as much finesse as you send the ball down the fairway. My kids couldn't stop laughing and trying new techniques.

6. Winter Sports

While ski season was over during our visit, I'd be remiss not to mention the ski resort at Massanutten, with nearly two dozen runs for every skier level. Like most resorts, Massanutten offers lift tickets, lessons, and equipment rentals. Ice skating and snow tubing round out the winter sports offerings.

7. Massanutten Spa

There simply wasn't time for a spa visit this trip, but since I like a good spa day, I wanted to mention that one is available at Massanutten. From massages to nails to facials, you can unwind and relax. There are even packages for tweens and teens.

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Eat at four on-site restaurants at Massanutten Resort.

Dining at Massanutten Resort

There are four restaurants on property at Massanutten—Base Camp, Campfire Grill, Virginia BBQ & Pizza, and Splash's Bar & Grill. We tried them all, and everyone in my family found something they wanted to eat and drink. We enjoyed the outdoor seating around a fire table at Campfire Grill and the mountain views at Base Camp.

I do think for longer stays, I'd take advantage of my lodging's kitchen to prepare home-cooked meals. The resort has a small but well-stocked market, and grocery stores are a short drive from the resort. There are also off-site restaurants in the nearby area.

RELATED: 40 Fun Things To Do in the Shenandoah Valley with Kids

Take a break from all the fun to enjoy the gorgeous mountain views!

Final Thoughts on Massanutten Resort

I think it's clear we're fans of Massanutten Resort. It's perfect for the active family that wants to always have something to do no matter the season. It's also an easy getaway from DC if you have just a couple of days or want a longer vacation, but minimal driving.

Obviously, the winter and summer seasons are the busiest times, so plan for crowds and waits during those times. I've found going on weekdays and non-holiday weekends during the off season is perfect. During those times, most of the activities are available and you aren't competing for space.

So if you're looking for an adventure-filled family getaway near DC, book your stay at Massanutten Resort now.

All photos by author Jennifer Swope

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