The heat is most definitely on this summer and if you listen to the news it's only going to get hotter. While it can feel downright apocalyptic out there, and the temptation is to just hunker down in an air-conditioned cave, watch movies, play video games, maybe even take that pile of clothes off your Peloton bike and go for a ride, you can't stay there forever.
When you've just got to get out of the house and get outside (or maybe, more importantly, just get the kids out of the house and outside), what can you do? Get wet and go wild! That's what!
And luckily, in Palm Beach County there are plenty of options from splash pad to full on water park. Here are some of the standouts:
Get wet and wild at the Palm Beach Zoo
Though known mostly for its fulltime residents, including jaguars, tigers, koalas, bears, caiman, cougars, capybaras, monkeys, flamingos, owls, and more, the Palm Beach Zoo also has a massive, interactive fountain for kids to play in and cool off. Included in the price of admission, the fountain is located in the center of the zoo with the four main areas branching off of it. Though the attraction "is mostly used by kids, adults are welcome to cool off as well," zoo spokesperson John Towey says. He also added that the zoo is very well shaded making it comfortable on even some of South Florida's hottest days. Towey said that the animals are also well protected from the heat with all of their habitats having shaded areas and most also having water features. In addition, many of the animals are given ice treats, including frozen bones for the tigers and piles of ice for the bears. The zoo is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Adults $28.95; seniors (60 and up) $26.95; ages 3 to 12 $22.95; ages 0 to 2 free. Purchase online and save $2 per ticket.
Hot summer special: From June 1 through July 31, each full-price adult ticket purchased allows free admission for two children 12 and under.
Information: 1301 Summitt Blvd., West Palm Beach. palmbeachzoo.org
Drive through Lion Country Safari then walk through the 'Sprayground'
Open since 1967 and ranked as one of the best safari parks in the United States, this Loxahatchee landmark also has the means for keeping you cool in the summer. Enjoy 23 different water features at the Safari Splash Sprayground, satisfy that need for speed the on free fall and loop water slides at the Safari Water Slides and get creative at the Safari Falls exhibit where guests can enjoy slides, water sprayers, dump buckets and more. The Safari Splash Sprayground opens at 9:30 a.m. and closes at 5:15 p.m., the Safari Water Slides and Safari Falls both open at 11 a.m. and close at 5:15 p.m. Ages 10 and older $49; ages 3 to 9 $37; two and under free.
Hot summer deal: The park is once again offering its 'Summer Savings Pass.' The pass is $67.99 for adults and $56.99 for ages 3 to 12. It provides unlimited admission to the park as well as unlimited admission to Zoo Miami, Cox Science Center and Aquarium and Everglades Alligator Farm.
How great is Lion Country Safari?Zoo made this USA top 10 list for the seventh time!
Information: 2003 Lion Country Safari Road, Loxahatchee. lioncountrysafari.com
Ride the lazy river at Calypso Bay Water Park
Owned and operated by Palm Beach County Parks & Recreation, this water park opened in 2001 and is a great way to cool off, burn some calories and wear out those out-of-school kiddos. Check out the two 30-foot water slides and the interactive water playground. There's also a lap pool with diving boards and a nearly 900-foot-long meandering river to coast along in an inner tube. Summer hours (May 31 to Aug. 11) 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Ages 12 and older $16; senior, military with ID $12; ages 3 to 11 $12; ages 1 and 2 $7; infants free.
Hot tip: the price of entry drops after 3 p.m.
Information: 151 Lamstein Lane, Royal Palm Beach. calypsobaywaterpark.com
Walk atop the lily pads at Coconut Cove Waterpark
This Boca Raton hot spot for keeping cool is jam packed with liquid refreshment. There are two four-story-tall water slides, the lily pad walk, a children's water playground, a recreational pool and a nearly 1,000-foot-long river ride. There's also a concession stand serving up brownies, chips, ice cream and more. Summer hours (June 1 to Aug. 11) 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Ages 12 and older $17; seniors and military with ID $13; ages 3 to 11 $13; ages 1 and 2 $7; infants free.
Hot tip: admission price drops by $2 after 3 p.m.
Information: 20130 Regional Park Drive, Boca Raton. Information: coconutcove-waterpark.com
Check out the Mega Mayhem water slide at Rapids Water Park
Palm Beach County's ultimate destination for high-speed, water slidin', lazy floatin' fun has absolutely got game. This park features over 40 slides and attractions, a quarter-mile-long lazy river, a 25,000-gallon wave pool, FlowRider surf simulator, tube slides, kids structure and much more. New at the Rapids in 2024: the Mega Mayhem experience. Standing 54 feet tall with dueling runs of over 800 feet each, this slide will have you racing side by side and hitting speeds of 22 mph. It is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week through Aug. 11, with hours changing on Aug. 12. $64.99 plus tax at the gate, $54.99 plus tax online for Monday to Friday ticket and $59.99 plus tax online for an Any Day ticket good weekends and holidays.
More on Rapids:Rapids Water Park in Riviera Beach unveils largest ride in history for 2024 season
Information: 6566 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach. rapidswaterpark.com
Wade into Barracuda Bay Aquatic Complex
A great place to cool off during those hot summer days this park features water slides, fountains, an interactive activity pool and much more. There are even several FPL solar trees where guests can grab some shade before jumping back into the aquatic action.
Information: 1621 W. Blue Heron Blvd., Riviera Beach. 561-845-4076; solarnow.fpl.com/project/brbp
Go jump in the lake at Shark Park 561
Within the vast Okeeheelee Park, not one, but two water play options await at Shark Park 561. You can tackle the obstacle island or try wake boarding, knee boarding, skiing or more towed not by a boat but by cable. For both the Cable Park and Ostacle Island there are some age restrictions and safety lessons required for some activities. For ticket prices and reservations go to sharkwakepark.com/561
Dive in with Keylypso of the Palm Beaches
Cool off in the beautiful Atlantic waters with a snorkeling trip aboard the 34-foot, power catamaran Keylypso. Their tours explore some of the most exclusive and pristine snorkeling spots in the Palm Beaches. See vibrant coral reefs in the ocean or encounter exotic marine life around Peanut Island. Top-quality snorkeling gear is provided to ensure a comfortable and safe underwater excursion. They also offer a sunset cruise and a Palm Beach mansion tour. Keylypso operates 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. Contact for trip schedule.
Information: Lake Park Marina, 105 Lake Shore Drive, Lake Park. 561-718-2723; keylypso.com
More Palm Beach County splash pads, fountains
South Olive Park Splash Pad, 345 Summa St., West Palm Beach. wpb.org/government/parks-recreation/parks-facilities-locations
Bill Moss Hillcrest Paseo, 3401 Parker Ave., West Palm Beach. wpb.org/government/parks-recreation/parks-facilities-locations
Centennial Fountain at Nancy M. Graham Centennial Square, 150 N. Clematis St., West Palm Beach. wpb.org/government/parks-recreation/parks-facilities-locations
Lincoln Park, 5100 N. Haverhill Road, West Palm Beach. wpb.org/government/parks-recreation/parks-facilities-locations
Catherine Strong Splash Park, 1500 SW Sixth St., Delray Beach. visitdelraybeach.org/plays/cathering-strong-splash-park/
Lake Lytal Park, 3645 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach. discover.pbcgov.org/parks/Locations/Lake-Lytal
Kintz Park and Splash Pad, 301 Glenbrook Drive, Lake Worth Beach. atlantisfl.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Kintz-Park
Eddie Ritz is a journalist atThe Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network.You can reach him ateritz@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism.Subscribe today.
