Kalahari Opens $900M Resort, Massive Indoor Waterpark In Spotsylvania

SPOTSYLVANIA, VA — Kalahari Resorts & Conventions officially opened its $900 million resort in Spotsylvania County on Thursday, bringing Virginia's largest indoor waterpark, hundreds of hotel rooms and a major convention center to the Fredericksburg area.

The resort, located just off Interstate 95 between Washington, D.C., and Richmond, is Kalahari's fifth location nationwide. The property includes a 175,000-square-foot indoor waterpark, a 90,000-square-foot adventure park, 907 guest rooms and 150,000 square feet of convention space.

Grand opening festivities are scheduled for Thursday through Sunday, with activities honoring military families, live entertainment and a fundraising dinner supporting access to clean drinking water in Africa.

Waterpark Features Record-Setting Coaster

The resort's main attraction is its indoor waterpark, which features Nile Crocodile, billed by Kalahari as North America's longest indoor Master Blaster water coaster.

The ride sends passengers through a series of climbs, twisting turns and drops.

Other waterpark attractions include Zambezi River Rapids, a family raft ride; Savannah Speedway, a four-lane racing slide; and Tanzanian Twister, which features a spinning bowl and final plunge.

The waterpark also includes a FlowRider surfing attraction, wave pool and lazy river. Younger children can visit Tiko's Watering Hole, which features interactive water play areas, swings and smaller slides.

Beyond the waterpark, the 90,000-square-foot Tom Foolerys Adventure Park offers indoor thrill rides, a zip line, climbing walls, laser tag, bowling and more than 250 arcade games.

"We've spent more than two decades learning what guests love about Kalahari getaways," Todd Nelson, founder and CEO of Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, said in a news release. "Virginia brings together so much of what our guests look forward to – the rides they want to try again, the restaurants they love, the meetings that feel both professional and fun, and the chance to spend the whole day together."

Restaurants Open To Local Residents

The Spotsylvania resort features more than a dozen dining options, including four signature restaurants that are open to the public, regardless of whether customers are staying at the hotel.

The restaurants include:

• Double Cut Steak House: A steakhouse serving premium steaks, seafood, cocktails and shared side dishes.
• Sortino's Italian Kitchen: A casual restaurant offering traditional Italian dishes.
• Cinco Ninos: A Mexican restaurant featuring a tequila bar and Mexican cuisine.
• B-LUX Grill & Bar: A burger restaurant serving specialty burgers and shakes, including adult beverage options.

Additional dining options include MACS – Macaroni and Cheese Shop, The Last Bite for desserts and ice cream, and Redd's Piano Bar & Lounge, which offers cocktails and live entertainment.

Kalahari said all of its restaurants are open to local visitors as well as overnight resort guests.

Convention Center Adds Meeting Space

The new resort also includes a 150,000-square-foot convention center designed to accommodate conferences, trade shows, corporate meetings and other events.

The facility features two ballrooms and 16 additional meeting rooms, along with on-site catering, audiovisual equipment and conference planning services.

Meeting attendees can access the resort's hotel rooms, restaurants and entertainment facilities without leaving the property.

"Kalahari is a destination for everyone from 2 to 92, with plenty for adults to enjoy for a getaway of their own," Nelson said. "You can make a night of dinner, cocktails and live music, plan a weekend away with friends or turn a business trip into a vacation."

Grand Opening Events Planned Through Sunday

Kalahari's opening celebration runs Nov. 12-15, beginning Thursday with an event honoring invited active-duty military personnel, veterans and their families.

The resort also plans a fundraising dinner benefiting charity, a nonprofit organization focused on providing access to clean drinking water. The event is part of Kalahari's broader pledge to help bring clean water to 1 million people in Africa.

Additional family activities and live entertainment are planned throughout the opening weekend, according to the company.

Reservations And Day Passes Available

Reservations for overnight stays began Thursday, Nov. 12.

Waterpark admission is included with overnight accommodations for registered resort guests. Guests receive waterpark access from opening time on their check-in date through closing time on their check-out date.

Complimentary parking and Wi-Fi are also included with overnight stays.

Visitors who do not wish to stay overnight can purchase waterpark day passes.

To mark the opening, Kalahari is offering a $50 nightly dining credit for qualifying new reservations booked using promotional code WELCOME. The offer applies to eligible stays from Nov. 15, 2026, through March 31, 2027, subject to availability and blackout dates.

For reservations, waterpark day passes and additional information, visit Kalahari Resorts' Virginia website.

The Spotsylvania property joins Kalahari's existing resorts in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin; Sandusky, Ohio; the Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania; and Round Rock, Texas.