I’ll admit I was a bit taken aback to learn there really is a place called Santa Claus in Indiana, but it was simple to locate in the southern portion of the state, tucked between Evansville, Indiana, and Louisville, Kentucky.
The town revolves around St. Nick and only about 2,500 people live there year-round, with more visitors arriving in the summer and especially in December. My family didn’t spot any sleighs or reindeer, nor buses or extra taxes, but we did find it easy to navigate.
Here I discovered an amusement complex that’s a hidden gem for affordable family fun.
I was eager to visit Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari the moment I heard they provided complimentary soft drinks and free sunblock. Once there, I discovered several other reasons this small town with a big name makes a wallet-friendly vacation destination.
Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari operate as two distinct parks, but a single admission grants entry to both.
Ticket costs range from $29.99 to $42.99 depending on the day and season. The site lists all ticket rates on an easy-to-read calendar, so you can save by selecting a lower-priced day for your visit.
Happy Holidays
Holiday World is organized into lands themed to four major holidays: 4th of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Each area’s attractions, eateries and shops reflect that holiday’s motif. You might enjoy a Goblin Burger in Halloween, then ride the Star Spangled Carousel over in the 4th of July section.
Among the thrilling attractions is Thunderbird, the only launched wing coaster in the United States. It’s been profiled on the Travel Channel for its unusual launch speed. The Voyage, one of the world’s longest wooden coasters, was dubbed the nation’s top wooden roller coaster by Time magazine. Even with that acclaim, I was pleased at how swiftly the lines moved.
Although I visited with older kids, there were plenty of families with toddlers who were having just as much fun in the water park and on milder rides. Holiday World does a great job of dividing attractions by age group.
For little ones, and for those who prefer less intense thrills (like me), there are numerous choices, such as Eagles Flight, Gobbler Getaway and Reindeer Games.
Splashin’ Safari Water Park
No matter your kids’ ages, they can grow bored quickly. I appreciated being able to move freely between the two parks. Whenever the heat got to be too much, we strolled over to the Splashin’ Safari side to cool down. (Our daughters adored the Mammoth water coaster, while the lazy river suited me better.)
We stored all of our belongings in one large locker at the water park for $15. The changing facilities were tidy and handy. Private cabanas were offered for an extra fee of $229 per day, though plenty of free lounge chairs were available in sunny and shaded spots. Free sunblock stations are positioned throughout the park.
That’s Entertainment
Interspersed among the rides are venues for live entertainment. Acts range from musical performances to magic and stunt showcases. They run repeatedly throughout the day and into the evening.
I caught several performances while waiting for the kids to tire of the coasters. My favorite was “Dive!”, a hybrid of circus trapeze artistry and Olympic diving.
Wandering entertainers are visible all over the park and include characters like Hollidog, Kitty Claws and Santa’s elves who sing, dance and interact with children.
Freebies Start in the Lot
What makes Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari such a bargain is all the complimentary items they offer. We’re all weary of parks that nickel-and-dime you until you’ve spent more there than on your lodging.
Besides the free sunblock, parking doesn’t cost a thing. (They even installed an electric vehicle charging station in the lot recently.)
To me, the standout perk at Holiday World is the free soft drinks available throughout both parks. The choices include Pepsi products, iced tea, lemonade, fruit punch and water.
Drink stations are also present in the restaurants, so you won’t need to purchase beverages there either. The savings from keeping your family hydrated during a hot day can quickly offset the cost of a meal.
Great Deals on Food, Too
There are more than two dozen dining options. Our favorite was the Mexican eatery, The Alamo. The children’s meals cost only $3.99.
Sam’s BBQ serves savory pulled pork and giant turkey legs. For those with dietary needs, a gluten-free pizza spot is also available.
Look for specials on the website and on signage when you visit. For instance, on Mondays you might receive a free Rice Krispy Treat at certain restaurants, and on Fridays you can get $1 off each piece of fudge at Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen.
One of the few extra-cost activities—games—also has special deals on select days.
Stay Here for Cheap and Easy Accommodations
Your best lodging option when visiting Santa Claus is Lake Rudolph. I’ve stayed there a couple of times and it’s excellent. The expansive resort offers cabins, cottages and RV rentals in various sizes. There are also spots to park your RV or pitch a tent. Rates are very affordable, and you’ll have a kitchen and grill to cut costs on meals.
I particularly enjoy the Christmas Cabins. They feature a large deck and separate sleeping areas. Guests at Lake Rudolph can take a tram to and from Holiday World, so you don’t even need to drive.
The kids appreciated having a pool, a fishing lake and a general store with more ice cream selections than I’ve ever seen.
The only other lodging options in Santa Claus are Santa’s Lodge and a Baymont Inn & Suites.
While in Santa Claus…
Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari are certainly the town’s primary draws, but there are other activities in this yuletide-themed community.
Santa’s Stables provides horseback rides for all skill levels, and my daughters took their first-ever lessons there. We began our holiday shopping with unique finds at Santa’s Toys and the Santa Claus Christmas Store, and Santa’s Candy Castle served a delightful peanut butter frozen hot chocolate—I was pleased to buy a mix to take home.
There’s one special thing you can do in this town that you can’t do anywhere else in the world: mail a letter postmarked from Santa Claus.
It only costs the price of a stamp.
If you’re trying to avoid holiday spending overload while still enjoying memorable family time, Santa Claus, Indiana, and its parks are a surprisingly affordable way to celebrate together.
