There’s no better way to beat the summer heat than by spending the day at a water park, with all the slides, pools, dives and drops you can stomach.
The Southeast has a plethora of water parks to offer – from Water Country USA in Williamsburg, Va., which has options for everyone in the family, to the newly renovated Splash Kingdom in Shreveport, La., where admission prices have been lowered under new management.
Water World Water Park, Dothan, Ala.
Grab your tube, climb the tower and get ready to experience a thrill. Water World’s newest attraction, the Great White sidewinder slide is built for speed. It’s a 41-foot drop from the top of a tower on a tube.
“The Great White is a crowd favorite because of the height and speed,” Water World Operations Manager Kelly Carter said. “But the wave pool is still the most-used attraction.”
Water World’s 450,000-gallon wave pool features three foot waves, a perfect place to experience the thrill of the sea without the crabs and sand. You can spend the day relaxing in the wave pool or take a ride on the park’s 400-foot triple flume slide.
Owned and operated by the City of Dothan's Department of Leisure Services, Water World opened in 1980 with just the wave pool and triple flume slide. A bumper-boat pool was added a few years later, but that was later converted to a kiddie pool. In 2000, the Great White was added, rounding off the park’s four water attractions.
“Water World is popular with locals because of the low prices and family-friendly atmosphere,” Carter said. “We even allow picnic lunches in the park.”
Water World Water Park. Open Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tuesdays, Thursdays, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sundays, 1-6 p.m. Adults: $12, Children 3-12: $9; Children 2 and younger and seniors: free. 401 Recreation Road. 334-615-3750, www.waterworlddothan.com
Don’t Miss: The George Washington Carver Interpretive Museum, which pays tribute to the man who revolutionized the peanut. Take a walk through history to learn more about Carver and the many other African-American scientists, inventors, farmers and military men who helped shape American history.
The George Washington Carver Interpretive Museum. Tuesday-Friday: 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.; Saturday: 1-5 p.m. Closed on holidays and holiday weekends. 305 N. Foster St. 334-712-0933. www.gwcarvermuseum.org
Eat: Hunt’s Seafood Restaurant. The locals’ favorite for fresh seafood and fine steaks. 177 Campbellton Highway. 334-794-5193, www.huntsrestaurant.com
Stay: Dothan National Golf Club and Hotel. Eighteen-hole golf course, Olympic outdoor pool, hot mineral springs and restaurant/lounge on premises. $57 and up. 7410 Highway 231 South, 800-214-1150 or 334-677-3321, www.dothannational.com
Info: Dothan Convention & Visitors Bureau. 334-794-6622 or 888-449-0212, www.dothanalcvb.com
Water Country USA, Williamsburg, Virginia
With more than 30 slides and water rides, parents with children of various ages will find something to suit their splash needs at Water Country.
Water Country is one of the mid-Atlantic’s largest water parks. The park offers live entertainment, shops and restaurants, water rides and other attractions, all with a 1950s or 1960s surf theme.
“There is something for everyone in the family, from free lounge chairs and cabana rentals to thrill attractions and a dive show featuring high dives from 75 feet in the air,” Water Country USA Senior Communications Manager Kevin Crossett said.
The park’s steepest ride is The Rampage, where riders plummet 75 feet aboard “surf-boggans.” Want to enjoy a little friendly competition? Try the Nitro Racer, a super-speed slide that allows family members and friends to race each other to the finish line.
Even parents can enjoy some fun and nostalgia in Water Country’s newest area, Rock ‘n’ Roll Island. The Jammin’ Jukebox is a slide tower with three body slides and nearly 600 feet of twisting water and turns. When you’re done with the action and adventure, hit the 700-foot lazy river.
The $69.95 Discovery Ticket provides unlimited admission to Water Country USA and its sister park, Busch Gardens, for seven consecutive nights.
Water Country USA. Open 10 a.m.-8 p.m. through Aug. 15; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. through Aug. 29; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. through Sept. 6. General admission: $42.95; children 3-9: $35.95; children 2 and younger: free. General parking $13. 176 Water Country Parkway. 800-343-7946, www.watercountryusa.com
Don’t Miss: Historic Jamestowne. You’ve heard all about the pilgrims and Plymouth Rock. But Jamestowne was around long before the pilgrims ever set sail. Take a tour of America’s very first English settlement. Founded in 1607, Jamestowne served as Virginia’s capital throughout the 17th Century.
Historic Jamestowne. Open daily 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m., except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. $10 for adults; 15 and younger admitted free. Includes admission to Yorktown Battlefield for seven days from date of purchase. 1368 Colonial Parkway, Jamestown. 757-898-2410, www.historicjamestowne.org
Eat: The Backfin Seafood Restaurant. Open breakfast, lunch and dinner. Featuring regional seafood and barbecue. Fresh steamed blue crabs Sundays from 3 -9 p.m. in the Boathouse. Dinner entrees $11.99-$17.99. 3701 Strawberry Plains Road. 757-565-5430, www.backfinrestaurant.com
Stay: Quarterpath Inn. Family motel within walking distance of Colonial Williamsburg, featuring free in-room Wi-Fi, cable, swimming pool and free coffee around the clock. All rooms are non-smoking. $45-$109. 620 York St. 800-446-9222 or 757-220-0960, www.quarterpathinn.com
Info: The Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance. 800-368-6511, www.visitwilliamsburg.com
Splash Kingdom Water Town USA, Shreveport, Louisiana
Water Town USA reopened in May as Splash Kingdom Water Town USA after renovations by its new owner.
Family is the focus at Water Town, and the park enforces a strict code of conduct.
“Our mission is to glorify God, while providing a safe, fun, recreation experience for families. We hope to glorify God by the way we treat our staff, our guests, and the way we operate the facilities He blesses us with,” President and owner Johnny Blevins said.
The park features 13 water slides, a lazy river, a swimming lagoon, a wave pool and kiddie areas including the new Kid’s Castle. For big thrills, try the Bonzai, an open tube slide with quick acceleration and big drops.
Splash Kingdom Water Town USA. Open Sunday-Thursday: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. General admission: $19.95; children under 42” tall and senior citizens: $15.95; children 2 and younger: free. 7670 W. 70th St. 318-938-5475, www.splashkingdomwaterpark.com
Don't Miss: Shreveport-Bossier Film Trail. Take a self-directed tour of Shreveport's many filming sites. Some of the movies filmed here include "Beyond a Reasonable Doubt" starring Michael Douglas, 2008’s George W. Bush biopic “W.” starring Josh Brolin and the popular HBO series, “True Blood.” Pick up a brochure at the Shreveport-Bossier Convention & Tourist Bureau at 629 Spring St.
Shreveport-Bossier Film Trail. Arlena Acree, director of film, media and entertainment: 318-673-7515. www.shreveport-bossier.org/pdfs/brochures/ShreveportBossierFilmSites.pdf
Eat: Ralph and Kacoos. Featuring Cajun-style seafood dishes, steaks and other family favorites. Dinner entrees: $11-$33. 1700 Old Minden Road, Bossier City. 318-747-6660, www.ralphandkacoos.com
Stay: Merryton Inn. Family hotel featuring continental breakfast, free Wi-Fi, cable and swimming pool. $49.99-$99. 5204 Monkhouse Drive. 318-635-8888, www.merrytoninn.com
Info: Shreveport-Bossier Convention & Tourist Bureau.
888-458-4748, www.shreveport-bossier.org
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