With temperatures continuing to hover around that 100-degree mark, Central Texas is officially sizzling.
If you’re looking for something to do in July or August, the directions are simple. Head to the water.
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From big-name water parks to smaller pools and splash pads, there are plenty of places where you can cool off this summer. Here’s a guide to five of our favorites.
Schlitterbahn New Braunfels
Schlitterbahn offers the “hottest, coolest time in Texas.” Credit: Schlitterbahn
Schlitterbahn claims to offer the “hottest, coolest time in Texas,” and with good reason. Since 1979, this nationally recognized water park that spans more than 70 acres has been courting visitors and serving up thrills and chills like no other place in the country. From the classic yet exhilarating Hillside tube chute to the family-friendly, pirate-themed Han’s Hideout, there are surprises around every corner.
Hot attraction: The Torrent River in the Blastenhoff section combines a lazy river with a raucous wave pool to make for some extreme floating.
Insider tip: Buy tickets in advance to ensure you’re getting the best deal, or, if you’d like to add Schlitterbahn to your weekly routine, consider a season pass.
Rock’N River Water Park, Round Rock
Rock’N River Water Park and its next-door neighbor, the Dell Diamond, offer all the makings of a perfect summer outing. First, plan to spent at least a few hours splashing away at Rock’N River, a 150,000-square-foot water park campus that includes a lazy river, a zero-beach-entry play area, a massive splash pad, winding slides and much more. Next, catch a Round Rock Express baseball game at the adjacent Dell Diamond. Hot dogs and pop flies under the stars? Yes, please.
Rock’N River Water Park is located next to the Dell Diamond in Round Rock. Credit: Rock’N River
Hot attraction: The Quarry area, which features a 12-foot platform that gives you the sensation, and experience, of cliff jumping.
Insider tip: Rock’N River offers Twilight Admission pricing — $6 for adults and $5 for youth and seniors — if you arrive after 5 p.m.
Typhoon Texas, Pflugerville
Looking for loads of water park fun without a major commitment? Located just 40 minutes away in Pflugerville, Typhoon Texas is home to a bevy of attractions, including the Gully Washer children’s playland (don’t miss the 800-gallon water bucket that douses the entire space); Tidal Wave Bay wave pool; and the Lone Star Racers head-first competitive waterslide.
Typhoon Texas brings the water fun to Pflugerville. Credit: Typhoon Texas
Hot attraction: With three levels and 45 challenges, the Challenge Course is sure to test all of your favorite Ninja Warrior skills.
Insider tip: Heading to Houston? There’s a second Typhoon Texas in Katy.
Kalahari
Like your water parks without a side of sunshine? Consider Round Rock’s Kalahari Resorts, which, with 223,000 square feet, touts itself as “America’s largest indoor water park.” Attractions range from the Barrelling Baboon racer slide to the Lost Lagoon water basketball pool to the Coral Cove kiddie area, perfect for little swimmers.
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Hot attraction: The Flowrider wave simulator allows you to test out those pro-surfing skills.
Insider tip: Admission to the water park is free if you book a stay at Kalahari Resort, which is home to nearly 1,000 hotel rooms.
Aquatica San Antonio
Sure, you know about SeaWorld, but did you know that on the same grounds sits a stunning and sprawling water park that hosts a wide variety of attractions including Ihu’s Breakaway Falls, the tallest drop slide in Texas; the Walhalla Wave, which features a zero-gravity wall; and the 450-foot Kiwi Curl body slide.
Visitors to Aquatica San Antonio can’t miss Stingray Falls. Credit: Aquatica San Antonio
Hot attraction: You can’t beat the fun of Stingray Falls, where four-person rafts zip families through a variety of twists and turns and then face-to-face with stingrays – yes, real stingrays – inside an underwater grotto.
Insider tip: A portion of ticket sales at Aquatica and SeaWorld San Antonio go to benefit animal conservation efforts.
If You Go
Info:
Schlitterbahn New Braunfels: 400 N. Liberty Ave, New Braunfels. Various ticket packages available. schlitterbahn.com/new-braunfels.
Rock’N River Water Park: 3300 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock. roundrocktexas.gov. Adult general admission is $12. Closed Wednesdays.
Typhoon Texas: 18500 Texas 130 North service road, Pflugerville. typhoontexas.com/austin.
Kalahari Resort: 3001 Kalahari Blvd., Round Rock. https://www.kalahariresorts.com/texas/
Aquatica San Antonio: 10500 SeaWorld Dr., San Antonio. https://aquatica.com/san-antonio
