These day trips offer fun in the sun, crazy slides, wave pools, lazy rivers, tubes and more.
Description: The 35-acre park includes a heated wave pool, a 600-gallon dump bucket, 22 water slides, 2,600 tons of white sands, over 150 live palm trees and more than two million gallons of water to splash in.
Location: 2590 Water Park Drive, Mason (Warren County)
Open: Operating hours vary by day and throughout the season. Check here.
Attractions: The Riptide Racer — a 4-lane slide that is a race to the finish line for bragging rights is probably the most exhilarating feature at the park. The Big Kahuna is also an adrenaline pumping experience, delivering 500 feet of twists, turns and an epic final plunge. Feelin' really adventurous? Head down The Cliff, a full five story drop (3 seconds of pure air) rated one of the best slides in the country.
Admission: $28.99 for general admission, $22.99 for military, $19.99 for seniors and $23.99 for children under 48'' tall, free for ages 3 and under. You can save up to $4 by purchasing your ticket online.
Parking: $10
Least-busy days: Mondays through Thursdays; check website for hours. Closes Sept. 3.
Tickets/information: 513-398-7946 | Website
>> The best times to visit The Beach waterpark this season
🏊CONEY ISLAND
Description: This park located along the banks of Lake Como has both water and land rides that'll thrill kiddos, teenagers and adults alike.
Location: 6201 Kellogg Ave., 10 miles east of downtown Cincinnati (Hamilton County)
Open, Sunlite Pool: Open through Labor Day. Hours vary, so check here.
Attractions: Pool cabanas, a 3-million gallon pool (with slides and diving boards), typhoon tower (equipped with 73 interactive play stations), water slides, as well as thrill rides.
Admission: $21.95 for general admission, discounts for children and seniors available. Tickets available for just the Sunlite Water Adventure and the Rides and Attractions only; check website for pricing.
Parking: $9
Least-busy day: Tuesdays
Tickets/information: At the park and online; 513-232-8230 | Website
>> The best community pools around Dayton
🐺GREAT WOLF LODGE
Description: The indoor water park features water slides and a four-story treehouse with water sprays.
Location: 2501 Great Wolf Drive, Mason (Warren County)
Open: Daily, year-round
Admission: Day passes or overnight packages with rooms and suites available. Rates vary.
>> Great Wolf Lodge now offering day passes
Parking: free
Least-busy days: midweek
Information/reservations: 513-459-8885, 1-800-913-9653 | Website
>> Cool off with these Dayton-area splash pads
🌊KINGS ISLAND’S SOAK CITY WATERPARK
Description: Open through Labor Day, the waterpark at Kings Island opens with its offerings more than 100 rides, including 15 roller coasters (and the Beast, the world's longest wooden coaster), and Soak City, a 33-acre waterpark.
Location: 6300 Kings Island Drive, Mason (Warren County)
Soak City (free with Kings Island park admission): operating hours vary; click here for details
Attractions: 17 different slides, bays, plunges, rivers and twists to get your adrenaline pumping as you cool down in the water.
Single priced tickets: Single-day admission tickets can be purchased on the Kings Island website for $44.99 each — a considerable savings off the front gate price. You can also purchase a two-day ticket (the second day an additional $17) and an after 4 p.m. admission ($32). These prices not include applicable taxes and fees.
Parking: $15 online or $18 at the gate
Least-busy day: Wednesdays
Tickets/information: online, at the park and participating AAA and Kroger locations; 513-754-5700 | Website
>> Soak up the fun this summer at Soak City
🏄WAKE NATION CINCINNATI
Credit: Staff photo by Nick Daggy
Credit: Staff photo by Nick Daggy
Description: The water-sports complex offers wakeboarding, water-skiing, knee-boarding and wake-skating without the use of a boat. Riders are pulled on a 10-acre lake at 18 to 20 mph by an overhead cable-pulley system.
Location: Joyce Park, 201 Joe Nuxhall Way, Fairfield (Butler County)
Open: Open from May 4 through Nov. 3; hours vary
Attraction: Super trampolines, giant waterslides and ninja features coming soon.
Admission: $32 for two hours, $37 for four hours, or $42 for an all-day pass; free for spectators; equipment rental available. Additional cost for Aqua Glide Waterpark. Group discounts also available
Parking: free
Least-busy day: Tuesdays
Tickets/information: available on-site; 513-887-9253 | Website
>> Here’s where to get your leisurely paddling on in Dayton
🦍ZOOMBEZI BAY
Credit: Grahm S. Jones
Credit: Grahm S. Jones
Description: A 22.7-acre water park — adjacent to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium — features 17 water slides, a wave pool, an action river, a lazy river, private cabanas and a kiddie play pool.
Location: 4850 W. Powell Road, Powell (Delaware County)
Open: Open through Labor Day. Daily, operating hours vary; click here for details
Admission: General admission, $34.99, children 3-9 and seniors, $26.99, children under 3 free. Get up to a $5 discount by purchasing your tickets online.
Parking: $10
Least-busy days: weekdays
Tickets/information: available at the park, AAA, Columbus-area Kroger stores and online; 614-645-3550, 1-800-MONKEYS | Website
😱AQUA ADVENTURES AT LAND OF ILLUSION
Description: Aqua Adventures features water slides, big inflatable obstacles and beach volleyball on a real sandy beach next to a bright blue reservoir. After that, enjoy the full bar service of Aqua Lounge and relax on their patio seating.
Location: 8762 Thomas Road, Middletown
Open: Opens for the season on May 24. Hours vary. Click here for details
Admission: General admission, $16.99 on weekdays, $18.99 on weekends. Children, $12.99 on weekdays, $15.99 on weekends.
Parking: $5
Least-busy days: weekdays
Tickets/information: Website
About the Author