7 Places to Cool Off This Summer
Copyright Teresa Bitler
It’s hot. Period. Here are seven ways to beat the heat in Phoenix:
Wet ‘n’ Wild: Open for its second season, Wet ‘n’ Wild has more than 30 slides and attractions. Relax in a calm pool, face white water rapids or brave the eye of the storm in the ever-popular Tornado ride. (www.Phoenixwetnwild.com)
Sunsplash: Golfland’s water park offers speed slides, classic water slides, a water coaster and a half pipe thrill ride, The Sidewinder. For younger kids and tamer spirits, there’s also a toddler pool, zero-depth water play area, and the Endless River. (www.golfland.com)
Other amusement parks: Water rides aren’t limited to the “big” two, Wet ‘n’ Wild and Sunsplash. Encanto Park and Fiddlesticks Family Fun both have bumper boats and water rides while World Wildlife Zoo has a log ride.
City pools: Check locally for swimming pools and mini-water parks. Usually located at parks or area schools, these pools usually cost only a few dollars. Some, like Kiwanis Park Recreation Center, have wave pools. Others, like the Surprise Aquatic Center , feature zero-depth play areas and water rides.
Tempe Town Lake: You can’t swim in the lake, but you can certainly cool off in the waters of Splash Playground. Designed for younger children, this play area teaches kids about the environment through its “storm clouds,” waterfalls, rushing canals and “ocean.”
Lake Pleasant: If you have a boat, Lake Pleasant is the place to go to cool off during the summer. Boat, water ski, jet ski, swim or tube here. If you’re willing to drive, Lake Powell and Lake Havasu offer the same experience on a much larger scale.
Ice Skating Rinks: How can you cool off without getting wet? Step into a wintry day at the several ice rinks throughout the Valley. Our favorites include Alltel Ice Den, Arcadia Ice, and Polar Ice.
Great photo, Teresa. Your nephew? He looks like you. Wish I were young enough to indulge in this kind of water fun. I’m still tempted.
Yep, my nephew last summer.