Splash into Summertime
It's time to splash, slide, and soak! From water parks to interactive fountains to indoor aquatic centers, we've got plenty of ideas for getting wet.
Table of Contents
WATER PARKS & BEACHES
Buccaneer Cove at Malibu Grand Prix. After racing around the Go Kart tracks or a game of Mini Golf, visit this new water attraction which promises gallons of fun with five levels of slippery slides, tunnels, spray loops, spray cannons, an interactive aqua dome, giant splash bucket, and plenty of water slides for older and younger children.
Where: 5400 Brook Hollow Pkwy., Norcross. 770-416-7630; malibugrandprix.com/site/Norcross
Cost: Adults and children, $19.99; chaperone pass, $5
Geyser Towers at Stone Mountain Park. The “Adventure Pass” gets you all of the many park attractions, but the way to get soaked here is at Geyser Towers, where guests maneuver through multiple levels of suspended rope bridges and net tunnels connecting to towering platforms that overlook a gushing geyser. Sporadic eruptions and water jets will cool you off.
Where: 1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd., Stone Mountain, 770-498-5690; stonemountainpark.com
Cost: Adults, $14; ages 3-11, $14. Parking, $10
Hurricane Harbor at Six Flags Over Georgia. Soak yourself in Hurricane Harbor, the park’s tropical island-themed water park with a massive wave pool, thrilling single and a multi-slide towers, and an interactive children’s water playground featuring mini slides, drenching towers and more water elements. Closes one hour before the rest of the park.
Where: 275 Riverside Pkwy. SW., Austell. 770-739-3400; sixflags.com/overgeorgia
Cost: Regular park admission; Adults, $59.99; children 48 inches and under, $39.99; 2 and younger, free. Parking, $20
LanierWorld. Find Georgia’s largest wave pool at Lake Lanier Islands’ beach and water park. Splash-happy tots adore “Kiddie Lagoon” and thrill seekers soar down giant water slides; there are a wide variety of slides to suit various ages.
Where: 7000 Lanier Islands Pkwy., Buford; 770-932-7218; lakelanierislands.com/lanierworld
Cost: Adults, $36.99; kids under 42 inches, $26.99; 2 and younger, free. Parking, $10.
Robin Lake Beach, Callaway Gardens. Splash in the lake, visit the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center, watch the FSU Flying High Circus, or just relax in the sand and head into the water. Robin Lake Beach has it all! For $10 extra, kids (and adults) can jump around Aqua Island – a floating playground with obstacles sure to put them into the lake; ages 2-6 must have adult supervision.
Where: 17800 US Hwy 27, Pine Mountain; 1-800-225-5292; callawaygardens.com
Cost: Adults, $18; ages 6-12, $9; age 5 and younger, free. Aqua Island, $10
Six Flags White Water. The largest water park in the South boasts some 50 attractions, including the 90-foot free-fall Cliffhanger slide, the “Atlanta Ocean” wave pool and “Buccaneer Bay” for younger kids.
Where: 250 Cobb Pkwy N, Marietta; 770-948-9290; sixflags.com/whitewater
Cost: Adults, $39.99; kids under 48 inches $34.99; 2 and younger, free. Parking, $15
The Beach at Clayton County International Park. One price gains access to both the beach with lake for swimming and the colorful and immense “adventure kiddie pool,” with fountains, towers, “water shooters” and more. The beach action includes big slides and even a water trampoline.
Where: 2300 Highway 138 S.E., Jonesboro. 770-477-3766;
claytonparks.com
Cost: Ages 13 and older, $11; kids 3-12, $9; ages 2 and younger, free.
SPLASH PADS & SPRAY GROUNDS
Center Hill Park & Sprayground. Kids will love playing in a water tunnel and hurdling over in-ground spray jets to fight the heat at this free city park splashpad.
Where: 2305 Donald Lee Hollowell Pkwy. NW, Atlanta.
Collins Hill Aquatic Center. Outdoor attraction has zero-depth pool entry, interactive water features, slides, squirty things and more. There’s a toddler pool and lazy river.
Where: 2200 Collins Hill Rd., Lawrenceville. 770-237-5647. gwinnettparks.com; search “Aquatics”
Cost: Adults, $10.50; ages 4-10, $8.25; ages 3 and younger, $6.25
D.H. Stanton Park and Splash ‘N Play. This free splash pad is the first solar-powered park in the city. Kids love the spray jets, stationary water cannons and structures to hide behind.
Where: 1052 Martin St. SE, Atlanta. 404-477-3003. beltline.org/parks/d-h-stanton
Historic Fourth Ward Park and Spraygrounds. Prepare to leave with soaking-wet kids because this free splash pad has jets that stream water from all directions. There’s lots more at this new, 17-acre park.
Where: 680 Dallas St., Atlanta. 404-590-7275. beltline.org/parks/historic-fourth-ward-park
Laurel Park Sprayground. A great spot for kids to expend their energy running through the numerous sprinklers and water sprayers.
Where: 3100 Old Cleveland Hwy., Gainesville. 770-535-8280. hallcounty.org, go to “Parks and Leisure”
Cost: $2; ages 12 and younger only
Lillian Webb Park. A fab free fountain, waterfall and interactive splash pad for kids to play in all summer long.
Where: 5 College Street, Norcross; 678-421-2000. norcrossga.net, click on “Community” up top, then “Parks”
Riverside Park Splash ‘N’ Play. Cool off beneath a spinning mushroom and try to dodge the in-ground spray jets at this Roswell sprayground.
Where: 575 Riverside Rd., Roswell. 770-594-6158. roswellgov.com, go to “Recreation and Parks”
Cost: $2
Splash Zone at Wills Park. With a giant whale, “dumping pelican” and water tunnel, the Splash Zone at Wills Park provides 2,000 square feet of water fun.
Where: 1815 Old Milton Pkwy., Alpharetta. 678-297-6100. willspark.com/swimming.html
Cost: $3. Ages 3 and younger, free
Spray Pad at Old Atlanta Park. With three big overhead water buckets, two huge water cannons, and seven ground sprayers plus special water features for toddlers, this all-new spray pad is sure to cool off your summer fun.
Where: 810 Nichols Rd., Suwanee. 770-781-2215. forsythco.com/parks.
Cost: $2
Spray Station at East Roswell Park. This premier sprayground offers hours of fun and extravagant features for kids and toddlers
Where: 9000 Fouts Rd., Roswell. 770-594-6158. roswellgov.com, go to “Recreation and Parks”
Cost: $2
FOUNTAINS
Duluth Town Green Fountain. In the middle of Duluth’s Town Green, this free kid-friendly fountain spews water two stories in the air.
Where: 3167 Main St., Duluth. 770-497-5291. duluthga.net
Fountain of Rings, Centennial Olympic Park. Get sprayed, surprised and chilled to the bone in these dazzling fountains, and stick around for the water show that’s synchronized to music; show times are 12:30, 3:30, 6:30 and 9 p.m. daily. Best: it’s all free.
Where: 265 Park Ave., Atlanta. 404-222-7275; centennialpark.com
Perkerson Park Splash Pad . Just two years old, this free water zone features spectacular fountains for great water fun. Park offers tennis and basketball courts, too.
Where: 770 Deckner Ave. SW, Atlanta. 404-756-1859. beltline.org/parks/perkerson-park
Silver Comet Trail Fountain. The Silver Comet trail head at Floyd Road is a great spot for a family outing. Walk, jog, bike or skate along the trail, or just play in the fountain on a hot summer’s day.
Where: 4342 Floyd Road, Mableton. 770-528-8825. silvercometga.com
Sunflower Fountain at Atlanta Botanical Garden. Be sure to pack towels and swimsuits for the kids – because they’re going to want to pop under the Sunflower Fountain to cool off. This is where the flowers “water” you!
Where: 1345 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta; 404-876-5859; atlantabotanicalgarden.org.
Cost: Fountain free with admission. Adults, $18.95; ages 3-12, $12.95; 2 and younger, free.
Suwanee Town Center Park: Big Splash Interactive Fountain. The largest interactive fountain in Gwinnett County is free to play in and uses 1,400 gallons of recycled water every minute.
Where: 330 Town Center Ave., Suwanee. 770-945-8996. suwanee.com
Village Pavilion in Mall of Georgia. This free fountain surrounded by shops and restaurants is a sweet spot for kids to splash around.
Where: 3333 Buford Dr., Buford. 770-271-9458. simon.com/mall/mall-of-georgia
More Places to GET WET
AQUATIC CENTERS
Bethesda Park Aquatic Center, The fun is indoors here . . . a giant waterslide that curves out of the building and then re-enters before dropping you into the pool, a cool lazy river, zero-depth entry into the leisure pool and dunking buckets.
Where: 225 Bethesda Church Rd., Lawrenceville. 678-277-0880. gwinnettparks.com, search “Aquatics”
Cost: Adults, $10.50; ages 4-10, $8.25; ages 3 and younger, $6.25
Bogan Park Aquatic Center. Get out excess energy on the large play structure or float along the lazy river to wash away your stress. The designated little ones area helps keep youngsters safe at play.
Where: 2723 North Bogan Rd., Buford. 770-614-2063. gwinettparks.com, search “Aquatics”
Cost: Adults, $10.50; ages 4-10, $8.25; ages 3 and younger, $6.25
Browns Mill Family Aquatic Center. It’s a water amusement park featuring slides and sprayers to keep the children happy and smiling, but more importantly, wet!
Where: 4929 Browns Mill Rd., Lithonia. 770-323-4179. co.dekalb.ga.us
Cost: Adults, Adults, $12; ages 17 and under, $10.
Cherokee Aquatic Center. This brand-new center in Holly Springs is ready for kids to jump in! Climb the steps all the way to the top of the two wild water slides and zip down into the outdoor fun pool featuring a playground with water cannons, a zero-depth entry area, geysers, deck sprays, a current channel, and basketball hoops.
Where: 1200 Gresham Mill Pkwy., Holly Springs; 678-880-4760;
crpa.net.
Cost: Adults, $6; ages 2-13, $5; younger than 2, free
Mountain Park Aquatic Center. With an outdoor pool, baby pools, a warm-water pool and lap pools, swimmers of all levels can find their niche. Relax on the lazy river and take an exciting ride through the vortex.
Where: 1063 Rockbridge Rd., Stone Mountain;. 678-277-0870, gwinnettparks.com, search “Aquatics”
Cost: Adults, $10.50; ages 4-10, $8.25; ages 3 and younger, $6.25
Piedmont Park Aquatic Center and Legacy Fountain. The kid-friendly outdoor pool is surrounded by fun fountains and a current channel for lazy floating. Or, spend nothing to splash about in the Legacy Fountain with more than 70 jets that can reach up to 30 feet in the air.
Where: 1320 Monroe Dr. NE, Atlanta; 404-875-7275; piedmontpark.org.
Cost: Aquatic Center, adults, $4; ages 6-16, $2; ages 5 and younger, $1; Legacy Fountain, free.
Rhodes Jordan Park Pool. Enjoy the lazy river or explore the Lily Pad Bridge and try the 21-foot water slide. The water playground with squirting gadgets is sure to keep kids entertained for hours while adults can relax at the leisure pool with zero-depth entry.
Where: 100 East Crogan St., Lawrenceville. 678-277-0892. gwinnettparks.com, search “Aquatics”
Cost: Adults, $10.50; ages 4-10, $8.25; ages 3 and younger, $6.25
South Cobb Aquatic Center. Splash down the huge enclosed spiraling slide, slip through the yellow tube slide and into the water, and enjoy a “lazy river” float.
Where: 875 Six Flags Dr., Austell; 770-739-3180; cobbcountyga.gov, go to “Aquatics”
Cost: Adults, $4.50; ages 2-17, $3.50
West Gwinnett Aquatic Center. The outdoor leisure pool features two giant waterslides, a river channel, bubble bench, spray bar, water play structures and zero-depth entry.
Where: 4488 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Norcross. 678-40-8801; gwinnettparks.com, search “Aquatics”
Cost: Adults, $10.50; ages 4-10, $8.25; ages 3 and younger, $6.25
Splash at a STATE PARK
Hard Labor Creek State Park. Located just east of Atlanta, between Madison and Covington, Hard Labor Creek is a fine summer escape for the whole family. The large and lovely beach on Lake Rutledge is open for swimming all summer long. Kids can splash around in the water while adults relax and enjoy the sandy beach.
Where: 5 Hard Labor Creek Road, Rutledge. 706-557-3001; gastateparks.org/HardLaborCreek
Cost: Parking, $5
Fort Mountain State Park. Situated in the North Georgia mountains, Fort Mountain State Park has an array of beautiful hiking and biking trails for families to explore and a lakeside beach perfect for swimming and water sports.
Where: 181 Fort Mountain Park Rd., Chatsworth. 706-422-1932; gastateparks.org/FortMountain
Cost: Parking, $5
Red Top Mountain State Park. Picnic on a sandy beach and dip into the cool waters of Lake Allatoona. Play a game of mini-golf or rent a boat from the nearby marina.
Where: 50 Lodge Rd., Cartersville; 770-975-0055; gastateparks.org/RedTopMountain
Cost: Parking, $5
– Felicia Barman
June 2014