Beat the heat at these heart-pumping water parks.
Now that summer is here and the kids are out of school, you have to find something to keep them busy. Aside from the typical summer routine — the library visits, the mud pies, the neighborhood softball games — taking the kids on a midsummer break is always a good idea. And what better way to spend a hot summer day than at a water park? Not only do water parks offer plenty of fun, but they can be an especially affordable vacation option, too. If you’re looking for a way to keep the kids busy in the summer heat, consider heading to these water parks across the country.
Water Country USA
Williamsburg, Virginia
As Virginia’s largest outdoor water park, Water Country USA is home to more than 40 waterslides and attractions. From its family-friendly Colossal Curl to its multiple splash pools, wave pools and lazy rivers, the property offers plenty to keep kids of all ages busy. With on-site cabanas and loungers for rent, and plenty of dining options on-site and nearby, Water Country is an ideal spot to spend the hottest days of summer. And since the water park sits near Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, it also offers a great spot for an extended trip. Prices for single-day tickets to Water Country USA cost $52; tickets for kids ages 3 to 9 are $45.
Camelbeach Mountain Waterpark
Tannersville, Pennsylvania
High in the beautiful Pocono Mountains, you’ll find Camelbeach Mountain Waterpark and Camelback Resort Lodge and Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark — a dual-park setting that offers both outdoor and indoor fun. Just an hour drive from New York City and a two-hour drive from Philadelphia, Camelbeach offers 37 slides plus an array of attractions, wave pools, lazy rivers and more. The indoor park, which opened its doors in 2015, offers an enticing alternative for rainy days and colder months. One-day general admission tickets at Camelbeach start at $41.99, while a visit to Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark requires a paid stay at the adjoining Camelback Resort. Nightly room rates start at around $159.
Soak City Water Park at Kings Dominion
Doswell, Virginia
Soak City Water Park, which is nestled within Kings Dominion theme park in Virginia, expanded and went through extensive renovations in 2015. As a result, the park now features some of the hottest water rides in the country, including the 65-foot tall Hurricane Heights, a mega-slide complex that features several different slides. In addition to thrilling rides, Soak City offers lots of allures for the little ones, including interactive splash pads, small slides and soakers and sprayers. Admission to Soak City is included in the $45 admission fee to Kings Dominion. Plus, having two parks means double the fun.
Waterworld California
Concord, California
Waterworld California, which sits near San Francisco in the city of Concord, offers one of the top water park experiences in all of Northern California. With more than 35 attractions, there is plenty to see and do. Slide down various waterslides and tubes, float effortlessly down a lazy river, or brave the region’s largest wave pool. One-day tickets start at just $35.99. What’s more, because of its location near the San Francisco Bay Area, you can also combine a trip to Waterworld with a journey to one of the most beautiful travel destinations in the world.
Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari
Santa Claus, Indiana
As both a water park and waterless theme park, Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari has it all. From its two incredible water “coasters” to its tot-friendly Safari Sam’s Splashland and Bahari wave pool, this park is perfect for the entire family. With complimentary soft drinks, Wi-Fi, sunscreen and even free parking, Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari is easily the nation’s best value among theme parks, too. General admission costs $44.99 for single-day access to both parks. Plus, you can stay directly on the property at Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort — in a cabin or rental RV.
Boulder Beach Water Park
Athol, Idaho
Located within Idaho’s only theme park, Silverwood Theme Park, sits Boulder Beach Water Park. Within the park’s gates, people of all ages can enjoy everything from waterslides to kid-friendly splash zones and lazy rivers. The property’s Ricochet Rapids, for example, takes thrill-seekers down a 40-foot mountain into a 30-foot valley with a steep drop. One-day park tickets start at just $21 if you purchase in advance online (admission is $25 at the gate).
White Water
Branson, Missouri
While White Water isn’t one of the nation’s biggest water parks, it offers a lot of bang for your buck. Named one of the top water parks in the U.S. by publications such as Fodor’s and the Travel Channel, White Water is renowned for its thrilling rides and its 500,000-gallon wave pool, plus its many adventure rides, lazy rivers and splash centers. Day passes at $41 for adults and $20 for kids and can be purchased online.
Splish Splash
Calverton, New York
Located on Long Island in Calverton, New York, Splish Splash offers Big Apple residents a welcome break from the sizzling summer heat. Spread out over 96 acres, Splish Splash features an array of heart-pumping slides and action-packed rides, including the Cliff Diver, a body slide that drops you eight stories in three seconds. If you prefer to stay in the shade while the kids splash around and brace themselves for some of the country’s most exhilarating rides, you can easily rent a daily cabana. One-day tickets on Saturdays and Sundays start at $35.99 for kids and $45.99 for adults.
Splash Lagoon Indoor Water Park
Bowling Green, Kentucky
In a beautiful setting in Bowling Green, Kentucky, sits Splash Lagoon Indoor Water Park inside Beech Bend Park & Raceway, the region’s premier water park. Relax on a large lazy river, jump through massive waves on the Surf’s Up Wave Pool or try any one of the park’s thrilling waterslides. Or, take the little ones to Tiki Island, a four-story interactive attraction that features a giant bucket of water designed to soak everyone in its path. One-day adult admission starts at just $35.99 (kids under 54 inches can enter for $31.99).
Dollywood’s Splash Country Adventure Park
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Set inside the popular Dollywood theme park, you’ll find Dollywood’s Splash Country Adventure Park — and its 35 acres of family fun. If you’re traveling with little ones in tow, you can enjoy a variety of kid-friendly water rides and water coasters, plus relax in a lazy river, swim in a wave pool or ride down 700 feet of raging river rapids. Single-day tickets start at $48 for adults, and visitors ages 4 to 11 can enter for $43.
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10 Fun Family Water Parks to See This Summer originally appeared on usnews.com
