Ask any kid who loves flying through wet spiraling tunnels at breakneck speeds where he or she would like to spend a sweltering hot summer day and you’ll likely be met with the same response: WATERPARK.
Wet and wild fun is yours for the taking at waterparks throughout the country. From gigantic water havens connected to popular amusement parks to more modest waterparks that cater to hometown crowds, the following Southern picks are sure to please your entire family during the dog days of summer:
GEORGIA
Six Flags White Water in Atlanta is home to one of the most notable water attractions in the world. The nine-story Cliffhanger is considered one of the planet’s tallest free falls. It’s so high that half of the riders that climb to the attraction’s peak end up reconsidering taking the plunge. The park’s other signature ride is the Tornado, which features an intense four-person inner-tube nosedive of more than 50 vertical feet. If you can’t make it to Atlanta consider checking out the Hurricane Harbor waterparks that are adjacent to existing Six Flags, including ones in Gurnee, Illinois; Arlington, Texas; Jackson, New Jersey; Los Angeles, California; Agawam, Massachusetts; and Largo, Maryland.
MISSISSIPPI
About 75 miles from New Orleans, Louisiana sits Gulf Islands Waterpark in Gulfport, Mississippi. The family friendly waterpark is home to the mega-popular Horn Island Blaster water roller coaster, which ferries two riders at a time through more than 500 feet of twists and turns, including some screaming-inducing uphill blasts at angles greater than 45 degrees. The park also caters to young children in a kiddie area that boasts waterslides for tots as young as 2. Gulf Islands Waterpark also features a number of cost-saving promotions that offer discounts to hospitality workers, first responders, educators, and active military and government employees.
TEXAS
Splashtown Waterpark in San Antonio is a terrific place for thrill seeking families to escape from the scorching hot Texas sun. The 20-acre waterpark features more than 50 rides and attractions, from massive wave pools to mega-cool rides such as the five-story Hydras tube-slide tower and the aptly named Wedgie, a super speedy waterslide that tugs on your suit as it fires you into the pool below. Other big name waterparks in the Lone Star State include Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels, Texas and Bahama Beach in Dallas.
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