There’s nothing like jumping into some cold water on a hot Texas summer day. We may not have the prettiest beaches, but our water parks definitely make up for it. I didn’t even realize just how many we have until I put this article together – one of them being the number one water park in the entire country. We’re pretty lucky, if you ask me. Here are eight awesome water parks in Texas where you can soak up the summer sun and have an unforgettable time.
- Schlitterbahn (New Braunfels)
Flickr/4elevenpix This is the original Schlitterbahn, and it’s been voted the #1 water park in Texas for many years. With its three sub-parks featuring thrilling speed slides and numerous themed, interactive, long river floats, I definitely concur that no better water park exists in our state. An added bonus is all the trees surrounding it that help shield you from the oppressive Texas heat while you wait in lines that can be fairly lengthy depending on what day you go.
- Six Flags Hurricane Harbor (Arlington)
Flickr/rollercoasterphilosophy Everyone knows that roller coasters + heat and humidity is a disastrous combination. Lucky for us, if we start feeling tired and nauseous from being spun upside down at Six Flags in 100+ degree temperatures, we can head right next door to Hurricane Harbor and cool off. With 25 different rides, there’s plenty of opportunity to get your heart pumping just like a roller coaster - only a million times cooler!
- Schlitterbahn Galveston Island (Galveston)
Flickr/galvestonisland Though not as expansive as the flagship Schlitterbahn, the Galveston branch has plenty of redeeming qualities that make it worth a visit as well. Speed slides make up the majority of the rides rather than long river adventures, which means shorter wait times! My family and I usually get the opportunity to ride everything multiple times when we spend a day here. Of the three main rivers the park does have, my favorite is definitely the Torrent River - it constantly generates huge waves that rock you back and forth in your inner tube. The sea breeze from the Gulf of Mexico keeps you from overheating, and it’s nice to look out on the water from the top of a ride. All in all, you won’t regret coming here one bit.
- Great Wolf Lodge (Grapevine)
Flickr/robertthigpen Although most everything about Texas rocks, the ridiculously high summer temperatures and unpredictable weather aren’t the best. Fortunately, we have one of the largest indoor water parks in the country to escape to when outdoor conditions aren’t favorable. You can find all the same rides here that any other water park has - including the famous gigantic bucket of water pictured here. It’s fun for the whole family, rain or shine!
- Wet ’n’ Wild Splash Town (Spring)
wetnwildsplashtown.com Splash Town is one of my personal favorites. It’s expanded so much over the years and now features a plethora of fun rides like the famous Tornado, a toilet bowl, thrilling slides, and relaxing family attractions like a lazy river and wave pool. It’s fun in the sun on the outskirts of the biggest city in Texas!
- Schlitterbahn South Padre Island
schlitterbahnsouthpadreisland.com Yet another Schiltterbahn makes the list, but can you blame me? The way they design their rides is superior to any other water park I’ve been to. And this one in particular is unique because it’s right on the beach. If you’re a freshwater person like me, you can soak up the sun and splash around while still getting a view of the gorgeous ocean water - the best of both worlds!
- SeaWorld Aquatica (San Antonio)
Flickr/delaneydiaries As if SeaWorld isn’t awesome enough already, you can cool off in the water park after watching Shamu perform his amazing tricks. The park has 13 rides that the whole family can enjoy, including an underwater tunnel with real sting rays and a thrilling slide called Walhalla Wave.
- Hawaiian Falls (various locations)
Facebook/hawaiianfallswaco Hawaiian Falls is unique in that it has several different locations scattered throughout the state, so there’s bound to be one near you! Get ready for a day full of screams, laughs, thrills, and fun as you beat the heat in the best way possible.
Have you been to any of these water parks? Are there any others in Texas that should’ve made the list?
Flickr/4elevenpix
This is the original Schlitterbahn, and it’s been voted the #1 water park in Texas for many years. With its three sub-parks featuring thrilling speed slides and numerous themed, interactive, long river floats, I definitely concur that no better water park exists in our state. An added bonus is all the trees surrounding it that help shield you from the oppressive Texas heat while you wait in lines that can be fairly lengthy depending on what day you go.
Flickr/rollercoasterphilosophy
Everyone knows that roller coasters + heat and humidity is a disastrous combination. Lucky for us, if we start feeling tired and nauseous from being spun upside down at Six Flags in 100+ degree temperatures, we can head right next door to Hurricane Harbor and cool off. With 25 different rides, there’s plenty of opportunity to get your heart pumping just like a roller coaster - only a million times cooler!
Flickr/galvestonisland
Though not as expansive as the flagship Schlitterbahn, the Galveston branch has plenty of redeeming qualities that make it worth a visit as well. Speed slides make up the majority of the rides rather than long river adventures, which means shorter wait times! My family and I usually get the opportunity to ride everything multiple times when we spend a day here. Of the three main rivers the park does have, my favorite is definitely the Torrent River - it constantly generates huge waves that rock you back and forth in your inner tube. The sea breeze from the Gulf of Mexico keeps you from overheating, and it’s nice to look out on the water from the top of a ride. All in all, you won’t regret coming here one bit.
Flickr/robertthigpen
Although most everything about Texas rocks, the ridiculously high summer temperatures and unpredictable weather aren’t the best. Fortunately, we have one of the largest indoor water parks in the country to escape to when outdoor conditions aren’t favorable. You can find all the same rides here that any other water park has - including the famous gigantic bucket of water pictured here. It’s fun for the whole family, rain or shine!
wetnwildsplashtown.com
Splash Town is one of my personal favorites. It’s expanded so much over the years and now features a plethora of fun rides like the famous Tornado, a toilet bowl, thrilling slides, and relaxing family attractions like a lazy river and wave pool. It’s fun in the sun on the outskirts of the biggest city in Texas!
schlitterbahnsouthpadreisland.com
Yet another Schiltterbahn makes the list, but can you blame me? The way they design their rides is superior to any other water park I’ve been to. And this one in particular is unique because it’s right on the beach. If you’re a freshwater person like me, you can soak up the sun and splash around while still getting a view of the gorgeous ocean water - the best of both worlds!
Flickr/delaneydiaries
As if SeaWorld isn’t awesome enough already, you can cool off in the water park after watching Shamu perform his amazing tricks. The park has 13 rides that the whole family can enjoy, including an underwater tunnel with real sting rays and a thrilling slide called Walhalla Wave.
Facebook/hawaiianfallswaco
Hawaiian Falls is unique in that it has several different locations scattered throughout the state, so there’s bound to be one near you! Get ready for a day full of screams, laughs, thrills, and fun as you beat the heat in the best way possible.
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