When your whole gang could use a little chill time — literally — to escape from the stifling summer heat, hop in the car and head to one of these wet and wild parks where you can really make a splash.
Schlitterbahn Kansas City (Kansas City, KS)
Score major bragging rights at this Kansas park, which boasts Verruckt, the largest water slide on the planet. Schlitterbahn may be hard to pronounce, but it’s easy for kids and the young at heart to have a great time riding on the heart-pounding Storm Blaster coaster or floating on the relaxed Kristal River. A designated “Kinderhaven” section for tiny tykes and the adults-only Henry’s Hideout, which features a swim-up bar, round out the many awesome extras. You can also find Schlitterbahn parks across Texas in Galveston Island, South Padre Island, Corpus Christi, and New Braunfels.
Water Country USA (Williamsburg, VA)
When you’ve taken a peek into the past in historic Williamsburg, and paid a visit to the Busch Gardens theme park, Water Country USA is the perfect way to end a fun-filled day in VA. The largest water park in the state, you’ll get soaked on the scream-worthy Meltdown flume ride, the Aquazoid slide, and Big Daddy Falls, a rafting ride to remember.
Raging Waters San Dimas (San Dimas, CA)
With a variety of thrilling rides like the new Aqua Rocket roller coaster and the pitch-black Dr. Von Dark’s Tunnel of Terror tube slide, there’s something for everyone at Raging Waters. Much like DisneyWorld’s FastPass system, you can grab an H2Go Pass here, which helps you bypass those long lines and gets you splashing sooner!
Kalahari Resort (Wisconsin Dells, WI)
With both an indoor AND outdoor water park, you can have fun all year-round at this mega-resort. FlowRiders, an uphill MasterBlaster coaster, and the country’s only indoor looping water slides are just the beginning when it comes to Kalahari’s bells and whistles. Mom and dad will also love the private cabanas, on-site spa, championship golf course, and upscale restaurants when they need a little R&R.
Disney’s Blizzard Beach (Orlando, FL)
This park is even cooler than its name. Blizzard Beach boasts a wave pool that spans one acre, big and small drops that appeal to daredevils and cautious types alike, and more relaxed, family-friendly options like Steamboat Springs. It’s an ideal place to spend a day of your Disney vacation … especially during the hot and humid summer season.
