Splash parks, water parks, pools: 26 places to cool off this summer

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 05: Ten-year-old Lilly Hwang-Geddes (L) of Ithaca, New York, plays in a fountain at the Yards Park July 5, 2012 in Washington, DC. A record heat wave has been in the area for more than a week. Weather forecast predicted the hot weather will last through Sunday with possible daily triple-digit temperature. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) — **Yards Park**
*355 Water St., SE* Grab the necessary ingredients for a picnic from the neighborhood’s new Harris Teeter, or get takeout from one of the Navy Yard’s many restaurants, and claim your spot on the grassy lawn at Yards Park. When it gets too warm, dip your toes in the reflecting pool or embrace your inner-child and go wild under the waterfall. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

**Downtown Silver Spring**
*908 Ellsworth Dr., Silver Spring*
Take a break from shopping and lunching and jump in the fountains at Downtown Silver Spring‘s water feature. (Courtesy Downtown Silver Spring)

Sophia Tatton, 7, of Washington, cools off in the fountains at Georgetown Waterfront Park, in Washington, on Wednesday, June 20, 2012. Temperatures across the Northeast are expected to approach triple digits. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) — **Georgetown Waterfront Park**
*At the bottom of Wisconsin Avenue and Whitehurst Freeway in Northwest D.C.* Headed to Georgetown? Pack a suit! The water features at Georgetown Waterfront Park are fun for kids of all ages. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Blair Gratzer, 6, of Pittsburgh, gets in a last splash of summer at Sandcastle water park in West Homestead, Pa., Sunday, Sept. 5, 2004. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) — **Lyon Village Park**
*1800 N. Highland St., Arlington* There is plenty of water to go around at the Lyon Village splash park in Arlington — just beware of the funky hours. It’s open Monday-Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesday and Friday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 8 p.m. The splash park is closed on Thursdays. For more information, visit Arlington County’s website. (ASSOCIATED PRESS/GENE J. PUSKAR)

**Virginia Highlands Park**
*1600 South Hayes St., Arlington* Within the 18-acre Virginia Highlands Park is a great spray park to cool off after a round of tennis or a volleyball game. The water park is open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Courtesy Arlington Parks and Recreation)

**Ocean Dunes Waterpark**
*6060 Wilson Blvd., Arlington* This ocean-themed water park in Arlington’s Upton Hill Regional Park has a 230-foot open slide, a 170-foot covered slide, a 500-gallon bucket that dumps water, and more. Ocean Dunes is open to Arlington residents and nonresidents (fees apply for both), but is closed Monday through Thursday until June 22. From June 22 through Sept. 4, weekday hours vary. (Courtesy Ocean Dunes Waterpark Facebook)

**Western County Outdoor Pool**
*20151 Fisher Avenue, Poolesville* Get your laps in and then relax: this Montgomery County Parks and Recreation pool has an area for serious swimmers, as well as a leisure pool, an activity pool and a tot pool. Fees apply for county residents and nonresidents. Check the website for more information. (Courtesy Montgomery County Parks and Recreation)

**Martin Luther King Jr. Outdoor Pool**
*1201 Jackson Rd., Silver Spring* This Montgomery County pool has two lap pools for serious swimmers, a leisure pool with a lazy river and slides, and a tot pool. Visit the county’s website for information on hours and fees. (Courtesy Montgomery County Parks and Recreation)

**Banneker Pool**
*2500 Georgia Ave., NW* Cool off from your U Street or Columbia Heights expeditions at Banneker Pool in Northwest, D.C. Just make sure you get there early: this Ward 1 pool is quite popular. It’s free to D.C. residents with proof of residency and a photo ID; there is a small fee for nonresidents. (Courtesy D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation)

**Embassy Row Hotel**
*2015 Massachusetts Ave., NW* If your idea of the perfect pool day is sunning on a roof deck with a cocktail in hand, head to the Embassy Row Hotel. Day passes are available to the public for $30, so get there early to make the most of the day. (Courtesy Embassy Row Hotel Facebook)

**Capitol Skyline Hotel**
*10 I St., SW* This Southwest hotel is not just for tourists: locals can purchase seasonal passes to the hotel pool. Visit the website for information on fees and hours. (Courtesy Capitol Skyline Hotel Facebook)

A boy tries to beat summer heat with splashed water at a Tokyo park Saturday, July 17, 2010. The Japan Meteorological Agency on Saturday said the temperature in central Tokyo shot up to 31 degrees Celsius (88 F) at noon as the weather men declared the rainy season seemed to be over in many parts of the nation, including the Tokyo area. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara) — **Volta Park Pool**
*1555 34th St., NW* This small, family-friendly pool is nestled in Georgetown’s quiet streets. Just beware: lawn chairs get snatched up quickly, so get there early or bring a big towel for the ground. Visit D.C.’s Department of Parks and Recreation for information on hours and fees. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)

**Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole**
*1400 Lake Fairfax Dr., Reston* Water Mine is an Old West-themed water park in Reston. The park has more than an acre of slides, flumes, sprays, showers and other attractions — plus a 725-foot lazy river. Visitors can purchase daily passes (around $15) or seasonal passes. Check the park’s website for hours and additional information. (Don Sweeney/Fairfax County Park Authority Facebook)

**Great Waves Waterpark**
*4001 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria* Great Waves is located at Cameron Run Regional Park in Alexandria. It has water slides, a wave pool and an interactive splash pad. Check the fees (about $15 a day) and hours on the park’s website. (Courtesy Great Waves Facebook)

**Atlantis Waterpark**
*7700 Bull Run Dr., Centreville* Get your swim on at the Atlantis Waterpark at Bull Run Regional Park. There are large water slides, a 500-gallon dumping bucket and plenty of space for swimming. Check the hours and fees (about $8) on the park’s website. (Courtesy Atlantis Waterpark Facebook)

**Waterworks Waterpark**
*5301 Dale Blvd., Woodbridge* Complete with slides and obstacle courses, this Dale City park is great for the whole family — and it’s more affordable than many parks in the area ($6-$7 a day). Visit the park’s website for more information. (Courtesy Waterworks Waterpark Facebook)

A boy gets a cool splash of a water fountain as he is swung by his mother at a park in Tokyo Monday, Aug. 13, 2007. Temperatures in Tokyo peaks in the low or mid 30s Celsius in the past several days.(AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi) — **Our Special Harbor Spray Park**
*6601 Telegraph Rd., Alexandria* This Chesapeake Bay-themed splash park has water sprays, a water maze and water tables. Admission is free. Visit the park’s website for detailed information on summer hours. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)

It’s opening day! Who’s going to be first down the slide? See you soon! pic.twitter.com/rUdfU76n2y
& mdash; Ida Lee Outdoor Pool (@AVSwimsIDALEE) May 28, 2016

A.V. Symington Aquatic Center
80 Ida Lee Dr., NW, Leesburg This Leesburg pool comes with wading areas, spray features and obstacles for kids and adults. Check the pool’s website for information on hours and fees for both residents and nonresidents. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)

South Germantown Splash Playground
18056 Central Park Circle, Boyds This splash park has a 280-jet water maze, a cave with a waterfall, a slide and spraying animals. Plus, there’s a mini-golf course adjacent to the park. Check the website for details and more information. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)