Summer is here and bring on the heat! As the temperatures keep rising, there’s no better way to cool off than by visiting a water park and having some fun in the sun, hanging out with friends and beating the heat. Here are some hot ideas on where to cool off this summer.
Please contact individual waterparks for specific reopening updates, hours and pricing due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Nashville Shores
Hermitage, TN
Located on the shores of Percy Priest Lake, Nashville Shores is a guaranteed great time. This park is home to more than one million gallons of water and includes a gigantic wave pool, three enormous fun pools, eight thrilling water slides, Kowabunga Beach and the extremely popular lazy river. And if this isn’t enough, new this year at Nashville Shores is Mega Mayhem, a gigantic family raft ride on which parkgoers begin a thrilling journey down a towering, six-story platform sending them into a tornado funnel. Then riders will experience dizzying drops all the way down to a waterfall and finally land in the splash pool. What a ride!
4001 Bell Rd.
Hermitage TN 37076
615.889.7050
NashvilleShores.com
Dollywood’s Splash Country
Pigeon Forge, TN
Dollywood’s Splash Country is a 35-acre water park adjacent to the Dollywood Theme Park located in Pigeon Forge, TN. The park’s central theme has been built around country music legend Dolly Parton’s childhood memories of swimming in the rivers of the Great Smokey Mountains.
Some of the more popular attractions include:
+ Big Bear Plunge. Guests in groups of three or four can raft on a white water-themed water slide.
+ The Butterfly. A double waterslide on which parkgoers experience a 55-foot drop and take a plunge into a butterfly-shaped pool.
+ Fire Tower Falls. This attraction consists of twin water slides rising 70 feet in the air and is the fastest ride on the property.
+ Raging River Rapids. Groups of three to five guests can raft down a 700-foot slide.
+ River Rush. This water coaster blasts guests past trees and twists through hairpin turns with rushing water and includes a 25-foot drop.
2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd.
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
800.365.5996
Dollywood.com
Hurricane Bay Water Park
Louisville, KY
Located within Kentucky Kingdom in Louisville, KY, Hurricane Bay Water Park is a quick three-hour trip from Nashville. Hurricane Bay offers over 19 water rides for all ages. From the thrill-seeking Waver Runner to the lazy river, Hurricane Bay is the place for summer thrills. The park is officially reopening June 29, 2020 and is offering discounted daily and seasonal passes for the remainder of the 2020 season.
937 Phillips Lane
Louisville, KY 40209
502.813.8200
KentuckyKingdom.com
Splash Adventure Water Park
Bessemer, AL
Located in the Alabama Adventure Amusement Park in Bessemer, AL, Splash Adventure Water Park is the cool place to be this summer. Approximately a three-hour drive from Nashville, this water park is sure to keep you cool all summer long. The park officially reopened May 30 and is waiting for you! Guests can enjoy 800,000 gallons of cool surf at Kahuna Waves, try the extreme Free Fall open-flume body slide, take a relaxing
inner tube ride down the Warrior Lazy River or check out the fun interactive water play area at Castaway Island.
4599 Splash Adventure Parkway
Bessemer, AL 35022
205.481.4750
AlabamaSplash.com
How Parents Can Help Keep Their Children Safe at Pools -- Lincoln Walden, Goldfish Swim School Franklin
Teach Your Children to Never Swim Alone: While many of our young ones think they’re all grown up and don’t need a swim buddy, you can re-enforce this rule by explaining this goes for kids and adults alike. Teach your children to always have a buddy in the water – whether it be an adult or peer.
Designate a Water Guardian: Even with lifeguards on duty, parent supervision is so important. One fun way to make sure someone is accountable for watching the swimmers is by designating an official Water Guardian. Vigilance is key – no chatting, no checking your phone, no distractions. Take turns and cycle out your Water Guardians every 30 minutes to make sure you are alert and refreshed.
Play it Cool and Follow the Rules: Rules are there for a reason! Sometimes when our little ones are in play-mode at the pool, rules fall by the wayside. Review the pool rules together as a family before letting your kids loose to enjoy the water.