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Looking for a way to beat the heat this summer? Charlotte has plenty of ways to cool off, from lakes to free spray playgrounds. Your guide to water destinations in and around the Queen City:
WATER PARKS
Carolina Harbor Waterpark at Carowinds
300 Carowinds Blvd.
Carowinds’ waterpark, Carolina Harbor, offers over 80 play elements, from giant slides to wave pools and even a 423-gallon tipping bucket that drenches the brave park-goers below.
Great Wolf Lodge
10175 Weddington Rd, Concord
via Facebook
Enjoy a staycation at Great Wolf Lodge. Their 80,000 square foot waterpark features the Club Paw Pool for little ones and thrilling slides like the Howling’ Tornado for teens.
Ray’s Splash Planet
215 N Sycamore St.
There are endless ways to play at this waterpark that contains 117,000 gallons of water. From a giant three-story waterslide to fun for the little ones on Moon Beach, there’s something for everyone.
Charlotte-area YMCA’s offer multiple ways to stay cool. Check out the slides, play elements, splash pads and more at these YMAC locations:
Harris YMCA Pool and Splash Park
5900 Quail Hollow Rd.
Morrison Family YMCA Waterpark
9405 Bryant Farms Rd.
Siskey YMCA Waterpark
3127 Weddington Rd.
Keith Family YMCA
8100 Old Mallard Creek Rd.
PUBLIC SPLASH PARKS AND WATER PLAY BY LOCATION
Close to town:
First Ward Park
301 E 7th St.
via Facebook
Whether enjoying a mid-day picnic or taking in the park’s Live on the Green music series, no visit to First Park Park is complete without a run through the sprayground. 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. through Labor Day. Free.
The Fish Fountain on the Green
435 S. Tryon St.
In the middle of Uptown, kids can splash through the fish fountain, a centerpiece of the three-tire literary-themed park. There are also benches and shade for parents and family members to relax while kids play.
Latta Park
601 East Park Avenue
Tucked into Charlotte’s Dilworth neighborhood, Latta Park packs tons of fun into its 32 acres, including a sprayground that’s lively during summer weekends. 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. through Labor Day. Free.
Romare Bearden Park
300 S Church St.
Part of the fun of exploring this 5.4-acre park is letting the kids run under the cascading fountain with the Charlotte skyline as the perfect backdrop. 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. through Labor Day. Free.
Cordelia Park
2100 North Davidson St.
On your way into NoDa, stop at Cordelia Park to enjoy their outdoor swimming pool, walking trails, community garden and sprayground. 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. through Labor Day. Free.
Veterans Park
2136 Central Ave.
In addition to a kids sprayground, this 19-acre park boasts walking trails, sports facilities, a playground and more. 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. through Labor Day. Free.
Little Sugar Creek Greenway
1127 E. 4th St.
Near the Captain Jack statue, kids can cool off on a walk along the Little Sugar Creek Greenway. 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. through Labor Day. Free.
West Charlotte Recreation Center
2400 Kendall Drive
In west Charlotte, families and kids will love splashing through the recreation center’s splash park. 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. through Labor Day. Free.
North Charlotte and Lake Norman
Birkdale Village
16725 Birkdale Commons Pkwy, Huntersville
After shopping at Birkdale’s over 60 retail shops or dining at your choice of over 10 restaurants, take the kids to splash out their energy at the shopping center’s interactive fountain.
Ramsey Creek Park
18441 Nantz Road, Cornelius
Visit the county’s only public beach daily through Labor Day weekend, 10 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. The 46-acre park includes a swimming area, boat docks, picnic shelters, walking trails, a dog park and more. Lifeguards will be on duty during beach hours. $5 per vehicle for county residents, $8 per vehicle for non-county residents.
Hope Park
170 Joe Knox Blvd., Mooresville
via Facebook
In Mooresville, Hope Park’s splash pad is open 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. through Labor Day.
Lake Norman Kiwanis Splashville Park
19710 South Ferry St., Cornelius
The 1300 square-foot splash pad is open Monday-Friday from 9 – 11:30 a.m., 1 – 3:30 p.m. and 5 – 7 p.m, as well as Saturday-Sunday from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Clarks Creek Community Park
5435 Hucks Rd.
This new park offers a splash pad open daily from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. through Labor Day.
South Charlotte
Blakeney Shopping Center
5933 Blakeney Park Dr.
Between dining, shopping and their 2019 summer concert series, Blakeney has something for everyone. Kids can cool off in the splash pad (open daily 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. through Labor Day), while The 2019 Summer Concert Series takes place every Thursday evening from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. through August. In addition to all regularly scheduled performances, visitors can also take part in a Summer Wine Walk from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. every third Thursday of the month. A $25 donation to that evening’s highlighted, local charity allows visitors to sip, shop and stroll through select Blakeney retailers while sampling wine and enjoying exclusive sales and promotions.
Waverly Charlotte
Providence Road and Ardrey Kell Road
via Facebook
BetIn addition to Waverly’s family-friendly summer programming, be sure to stop by the splash pad at this South Charlotte hotspot. Open 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Steele Street Park
600 Steele Street, Fort Mill
In Fort Mill’s Steele Street Park, the spray park is open daily from 10 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
& beyond
Crooked Creek Park
5900 Oakwood Lane, Indian Trail
via Facebook
Indian Trail’s Crooked Creek Park offers families a one-of-a-kind playground with zip line and tunnels, walking and bike trails, swings and the park’s new splash pad.
Stallings Municipal Park
340 Stallings Rd.
Kids will love the oversized interactive fountain at Stallings Municipal Park. Families can also enjoy three playground areas, tennis courts, walking trails and picnic areas. Open 8 a.m. – dusk. Note: As of June 19, the splash area is under construction. Check back on Facebook for updates.
