Best Water Parks

Do you and your family want to keep cool in the summer, but are tired of the community pool? Maybe you don't live near a beach or a pool, so your only relief from the summer heat is a lawn sprinkler or hose. Maybe your community is like mine and doesn't want you to even do that because of water use restrictions. So what can you do? If you're already going on vacation anyway (or want to take a day trip), you can stop at a water park. If you're not familiar with them, they are usually tourist attractions and consist of several water slides, pools and other water-related rides. They are can be a lot of fun for the whole family, even if you don't actually want to get wet. If you're not sure where you can find one, here are a few suggestions I have picked up over the years.

Myrtle Waves-Myrtle Beach, SC. As South Carolina's largest water park, this attraction has over 30 slides and activities for the whole family. If you want a thrill, they have several 'tube slides' (basically an enclosed water slide), including the Turbo Twister. This is a 10-story-high, 50-feet-per-second tube slide that is not for the faint of heart! If you want something calmer, there are rafting rides and wave pools. There are even some attractions set aside just for small children and their parents. For the safety of all guests, the park is staffed with over 100 licensed and trained lifeguards. The website is http://www.myrtlewaves.com/home.aspx, and you can buy advance passes online.

Six Flags White Water. This Atlanta-area water park has an insane amount of rides and attractions for everyone from little kids to wild thrill-seekers. The Captain Kids' Cove has games just for kids, and there are several wave pools for people who just want to relax. For the thrill-seekers, there is the Dragon Tail, which is a three-slide 350-foot drop. Whoa! Of course, there are plenty of rides in between. There are 20+ rides in all, so you won't get bored! The website is http://www.sixflags.com/whiteWater/index.aspx.

Dorney Park & Wild Water Kingdom. This attraction in Allentown, PA is a double-header-two parks for the price of one. There are 4 play areas specifically for kids, as well as 22 water slides, 2 'lazy rivers' (float in an inner tube while the water takes you around the park) and 2 huge wave pools. You can rent equipment, as well as renting entire cabana areas for picnicking and family reunions. The website is http://www.dorneypark.com/.

You can search for a water park in your area at http://www.waterparks.com/, as well as find safety tips. One big tip I have is to wear sunscreen, especially on your face and shoulders. The sun's rays reflect off of the water, so parts of the body that are above the surface are at a higher risk of sunburn and other sun-related damage. Each water park has its own rules and ticket specials, so check out the website for details. You can usually save money by buying passes in advance, which makes it easier to plan your next vacation. Have fun!