School’s out and one of the best ways to beat the South Florida heat is to head to a waterpark! The tri-county area offers tons of fantastic options for kids of all ages, and we’ve got a list of all the South Florida waterparks, splash zones, zoos, and pools that are sure to keep you cool.
PALM BEACH COUNTY
Rapids Water Park – This is a definite a winner for the older-kid crowd, as they’ve got an amazing assortment of huge waterslides! 6566 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach May 12- Sept. 3 10 a.m.–7 p.m. weather permitting. Admission, $31.95; children under 2, free.
Calypso Bay in Seminole Palms Park 151 Lamstein Lane, Royal Palm Beach Weekends 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays 10 a.m.-2 p.m.(water play area only). Adult, $10; child (under 12), $8; toddler (ages 1–2), $3, including water diaper; under 1, free. Reduced rates after 3 p.m.
Coconut Cove at South County Regional Park – One of my personal favorites! It’s got a great area for toddlers, a lap pool, lazy river and two waterslides. We head there later in the day, for the reduced rate, because the summer camps usually clear out after 2pm. 11200 Park Access Road, Boca Raton Jun. 2-Aug. 21, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.daily. Thrugh labor day weekend, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. weekends only. Adult, $10; child (under 12), $8; toddler (ages 1–2), $3, including water diaper; under 1, free. Reduced rates after 3 p.m. Season passes available.
Safari Splash Lion Country Safari, a fabulous drive-through zoo offers wild animals, rides, animal encounters and a fantastic splash are with over 20 interactive water play stations to cool you off! Located off Southern Boulevard, west of Florida’s Turnpike. 2000 Lion Country Safari Road, Loxahatchee. Included with park admission of $22.99; ages 3-9, $17.49; plus tax; 1 and younger, free.
Palm Beach Zoo Interactive Fountain – This was our favorite way to end our trip to the Palm Beach Zoo when our girls were younger. The zoo is absolutely fantastic, and the interactive fountain has tons of benches around so parents can hang out and watch their little ones splash away! Palm Beach Zoo, 1301 Summit Blvd., West Palm Beach. Don’t forget to bring the kids’ bathing suits when you visit the zoo. Changing tents are nearby, and seating is provided for those who wish to relax and watch. The fountain closes at 4:30 p.m. and during bad weather. Adults, $12.95; ages 3-12, $8.95; 2 and younger, free.
BROWARD COUNTY
The Broward County Park System offers several amazing (and cheap!) water parks to visit. During weekends, some have specific sessions, so be sure to check before you head out.
Calypso Cove 6200 Royal Palm Blvd., Margate Through Jun. 2, 12 p.m-6 p.m. weekends only. Jun. 2, 12.p.m- 8 p.m. daily. Admission, $4; under 4, $1; under 2, free.
Caporella Aquatic Center 9300 NW 58th St., Tamarac Features include a zero-depth entry, 25 yard x 25 meter, eight-lane pool with double tornado slide, children’s water play area (Sprayground), plus picnic pavilion, concession stand and fitness center. Daily Fees: Adult residents $3., nonresidents, $3.50; Senior/Student/Military resident, $2, nonresident, $2.25; Children 12 & younger resident, $1.75, nonresident,$2.
Castaway Island at T-Y Park 3300 N. Park Road, Hollywood Weekdays 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Weekends 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. $6 per person
Cypress Park Pool 1300 Coral Springs Drive, Coral Springs Weekends 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed Mon. Tues. 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Closed Wed. Thurs. 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Fri. 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Cost: adults, $3; children, $2.50.
Manatee Spray Playground West Lake Park, 751 Sheridan St., Hollywood Water-spray play area (not a pool) keeps everyone cooled off when the South Florida temperatures are heating things up. Included with regular park admission on weekends and holidays of $1.50.
Paradise Cove at C.B. Smith Park 900 N. Flamingo Road, Pembroke Pines Through Oct. 29, daily, 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m. $8 per person.
Pembroke Falls Aquatics Center 1361 NW 129th Ave., Pembroke Pines Weekends only, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Resident adult, $4; child (under 12), $2; nonresident adult, $6; nonresident child (under 12), $4.
Splash Adventure at Quiet Waters Park – This was my absolute go-to when my girls were between 3 & 10 years old. They have smaller slides, a massive bucket that fills and dumps on the kids and plenty of huge umbrellas to help beat the heat! 401 S. Powerline Road, Deerfield Beach Weekdays, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. no sessions. Weekends. 9:30 a.m.- 5:20 p.m. sessions included.
Sunrise Civic Center Aquatics Complex 10610 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Sunrise Mon.-Fri. 2:30 p.m.- 8 p.m. Family pool only. Weekend sessions: 9:30 a.m.- 12 p.m., 12:15 p.m.- 2:45 p.m., 3 p.m.-5:30 p.m., 5:45 p.m- 8 p.m. Resident adult, $1.25; resident child (17 and under), $1; nonresident adult, $6; nonresident child (under 17), $3.
Tropical Splash at Central Broward Regional Park, 3700 NW 11th Place, Lauderhill Two interactive water playgrounds: one for small children with climbing features and small slides, and one for bigger kids with two spiral slides, water guns and a dumping bucket; and an ADA-accessible instructional pool. The pool goes from zero-entry to almost four feet. Admission, $4.50.
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
Bucky Dent Aquatic Center 2250 SW 60th St., Hialeah Tues. and Thurs. 4 p.m.- 8 p.m. Weekends 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. $9 adults. $6 kids.
Flamingo Park Aquatic Center 11th Street and Jefferson Avenue, Miami Water Playground Sessions: Mon. – Sunday 6:45 a.m. – 9 p.m., Sat.-Sun., 8:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. Adult resident, $4; adult nonresident, $6; resident child, $2; nonresident child, $4.
Grapeland Water Park – This park designed by Miami artist Romeo Britto, and features his amazing artwork throughout the slides! 1550 NW 37th Ave., Miami Opened in May 2008. Four pools including a lazy river. Open 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Admission: Age 14 and older residents, $7; nonresidents, $10. Ages 4-13, $5. Seasonal passes are available for residents at $80 per person or for nonresidents at $120 per person.
Larry and Penny Thompson Park 12451 SW 184th St., Miami Slide and beach, $4, adult; child (3–17), $3; senior (over 62), $2. Must be at least 4 feet tall to ride the slide. Beach-only admission available $3 adult; $2 child(3-17); $1.50 senior (over 62).
McDonald Aquatic Center 7505 W. 12th Ave., Hialeah Wave pool, lazy river, wet tot lot Mon.-Fri., 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Sat.&Sun, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Residents: adults, $4, ages 4-17, $2; 3 and under, free Non-residents: adults, $9; ages 4-17, $6; 3 and under, free 305-818-9164
Milander Aquatic Center 4800 Palm Ave., Hialeah 25′ x 50′ pool, water slides, activity pool, wet tot lot Mon.- Fri., 12:30-5:30 p.m.; Sat. & Sun., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Residents: adults, $4; children, $2; non-residents: adults, $7; children, $4
Normandy Isle 7030 Trouville Esplanade, Miami Beach Open pool for swimming and laps, activity pool with water mushroom, slide, climbing apparatus and water wheels to regulate water flow; covered tot lot next to activity pool. Residents, free with ID; Nonresidents: adults, $6; children, $4; 2 and younger, free.
Thomas Sasso Pool and Aquatic Center 12502 NW 11th Ave., North Miami Summer schedule: Mon.-Fri., 2 – 6:45 p.m.,Sat.-Sun., noon-6:45 p.m. 3 years and up, $2. Under 3 years.
Venetian Pool – While this isn’t a traditional waterpark, by any means, it is one of the most beautiful pools that you can visit in South Florida. The Venetian Pool is an 820,000 gallon fresh-spring fed pool that is unlike anything else in the Miami area – one of a kind, and worth the trip! Children under three are not admitted to this location. 2701 De Soto Blvd., Coral Gables Tues.- Fri. 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Weekends 10 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Adult $10. Children(12 and under) $5.50
Splash Adventure at Quiet Waters Park Photo by Erin Daily
