Where to enjoy the sun without the sand?

Lina Portman2 weeks ago

0 5 minutes read

Living just a short drive from Pensacola Beach provides residents with plenty of opportunities to soak up the sun while cooling off from grueling summer temperatures. But where do you go when you really want to spice things up?

Public pools or splash pads are a few options, but what if you're looking for something a little more exhilarating? That’s when a good old water park comes into play.

For years, Big Kahuna's in Destin was the go-to water park destination for anyone wanting a day trip, but that's no longer the case.

Here are some water parks worth keeping busy this summer in and near the Pensacola area.

Adventures in Splash City

Or: 6709 Pensacola Boulevard.
Cost: Varies depending on the day

In 2022, Sam's Fun City was renamed Splash City Adventures after longtime owner Richard Sanfilippo sold the amusement and water park in 2022. Since then, the new owners have continued where Sanfilippo left off : providing locals with fun things to do right here in Pensacola. .

Splash City Water Park features 12 water slides, a 750-foot endless river and seven pools, including two interactive play pools with pint-sized slides for younger guests. More recent additions to the park include the Flash Flood Slide and Shark Attack Tube Slides.

Those who want to get a little more out of their experience can purchase tickets for the full park, which includes outdoor light golf, virtual reality adventures, a new 4D attraction and several rides.

Entrance to the water park varies depending on how soon tickets are purchased. Discounted advance tickets start at $19.99 for anyone over 42 inches tall and $16.99 for anyone under. The door prices are approximately $31.99 and $26.99, respectively. Tickets for both parks start at $25.99 for all ages and go up to $42.99 if you purchase the same day.

More information: https://www.splashcityadventures.com/

Waterville United States

Or: 906 Gulf Shores Parkway, Gulf Shores, Alabama
Cost: $37.95 for adults, $28.95 for children under 42 inches

If you don't mind driving an hour for some summer fun, Waterville USA in Gulf Shores, Alabama is another great place to spend the day. Waterville USA is a 20-acre water and amusement park located just a quarter mile from the beach.

Water park attractions include:

River with crystal clear waters — A lazy, relaxing river that flows about a third of a mile through the park's slides, rides and tropical landscaping.
Dune runner — A six-lane carpet slide measuring 55 feet high.
Flower runner — A simulated surfing and body boarding attraction where riders can stand, surf or body board on an endless wave. This attraction pumps 40,000 gallons of water over a soft trampoline-style mat up to a 5-foot incline.
Gold Rush — A 20-foot drop into the lagoon that allows up to three people to ride on a single raft.
Great White — A tube slide that takes up to three riders through a tunnel and waterfall before a rapid drop into the lagoon below.
Jet stream — A 350-foot high-speed body slide that's sure to get your heart racing.
North Shore Wave Pool — A 25,000 square foot wave pool. Surfing comes and goes in 15 minute increments.
Rainbow Falls — A trio of vibrating bodies that twist and turn and drop riders into a pool of water at the end. This is a great starter slide.
Screaming Demon — Drop nearly 60 feet on this high-speed body slide.
Shrimp boat village — A three-story water play area featuring jets, geysers, nets, water cannons and spill buckets.
Dare the triple dog — A three-color “turbo” slide that gives riders a feeling of weightlessness as they navigate the ride’s bumps at blazing speeds.
Wawa World — A pirate-themed water play area for children 42 inches or younger. It includes Frog, Pelican and Duck slides.

Just like Splash City Adventures, you can extend the fun to the amusement park, although there is a charge for the pricing structure. The amusement park features a boat launch, arcade, mini golf, go-karts, bowling, Topgolf Swing Suite, escape rooms and more.

Water park ticket prices start at $37.95 for adults and $28.95 for children under 42 inches tall. Admission prices on Saturday are $38.95 and $29.95, respectively.

More information: https://watervilleusa.com/

Tropic Falls to OWA

Or: 1501 S. Owa Boulevard, Foley, Alabama
Cost: From $74.99 per person; $62.49 per person with discount on family pack of 4

Tropic Falls in OWA is the newest attraction on the list. This is a huge indoor water park with 23 rides and attractions. It features 75-foot slides, a wave pool, a surf simulator and much more. Here's a quick look at the highlights:

Water chaser — Three parallel slides with mats that allow runners to run all the way to the bottom.
Large bay of water — A brand new 30,000 square foot wave pool.
Castaway Creek — An indoor artificial river.
Citrus Cyclone — Ride an inflatable boat-like tube and drop, dive and splash around the ride's high-speed twists and turns.
Coastal loop — An exciting surfing simulator.
Forbidden falls — A roaring tube slide that can accommodate up to two riders.
Piranha Diving — An iconic slide that combines sheer drops and 360-degree loops.
Serpentine swirl — A body slide featuring high banks, 360-degree loops, back-to-back turns and open channels.
Tangerine Scream — A body slide featuring an almost vertical drop and a narrow plume.
Tuki's tower — A kid-friendly tropical play structure with five slides and a dump tower.

Tropic Falls is only part of the OWA experience. The 520-acre complex also includes Downtown OWA, a pedestrian-only area with restaurants, shops and tons of entertainment choices; and an amusement park that has 23 other unique attractions.

Tickets to Tropic Falls are a bit more expensive than other options, starting at $74.99 for admission Monday through Thursday and $79.99 Friday through Sunday. Families of four can take advantage of a special ticket deal that brings these prices down to $62.49 and $67.49 per person. Children three and under enter free.

More information: https://visitowa.com/

Big Kahuna

Or: 1008 Highway 98, Destin
Cost: $54.99 per person

Big Kahuna's is probably the most well-known water park in the Pensacola area, even though it's almost an hour and a half drive away. Whether you want to spend a relaxing day swimming in the giant wave pool and taking a leisurely stroll down the Lazy River, or are looking for a more thrilling adventure on the five-story Jumanji waterslide, there is fun to be had . had on every corner of Big Kahuna.

Big Kahuna's reopens for the summer: Big Kahuna Water and Adventure Park reopens in April. Here's what you need to know

Here's a look at some of the attractions:

Runner Kowabunga — The Kowabunga Racer is a four-lane drag strip that plunges nearly five stories onto a football field-sized downhill racetrack. Visitors will grab a speed mat and start side by side with their fellow racers before disappearing in and out of twisting and coiling tubes before a breathtaking drop to the landing below.

Hammerhead shark — Two symmetrical slides that start from the top of the Temple of Doom and take you on a curved ride.
Monkey River — Two slides with 360 degree turns.
Cobra Twister — A relaxing yet exciting journey that takes guests seamlessly into the lazy river.
Honolulu Halfpipe — A surf simulator that moves 17,000 gallons of water per minute.
Quiet river — Relax and float in an inner tube or simply enjoy a scenic swim in the park.
Maui Pipeline Slides — Specially designed for thrill-seekers, these three-speed slides propel you at high speeds as you twist, turn and dive all the way.
Jumanji — A 70-foot free fall in total darkness.
Tiki River Run — Slide down a huge tube alone or in tandem with a friend. Discover the twists, tunnels and turns that crisscross the waterfalls before plunging into the pool below.

Tickets for Big Kahuna start at $54.99 per person if purchased online or $57.99 at the door. You can purchase two-day tickets for $87.99 per person. Visitors who want to enjoy the park's mini golf course and Skycoaster can purchase a combo pass for $75.99 each.

More information:

Adventures in Splash City

Waterville United States

Tropic Falls to OWA

Big Kahuna

Lina Portman

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