The temperatures are soaring but that doesn’t mean you have to spend the rest of the summer holed up in your air conditioned home. There are great options available to your family or group of friends to help you beat the heat during the dog days of summer. If sitting at home on a mountain of ice packs isn’t your idea of summer fun, we think a visit to some of North America’s best water parks is the perfect solution to help you stay cool while still experiencing it all. 

Blizzard Beach, Orlando Florida: One of the best waterparks in North America is in our own backyard! Opened in 1995, the theme of this Disney Water park is a snowstorm (perfect way to beat the heat!) that led to the construction of a ski resort. Naturally, the snow didn’t last long, but the infrastructure of the ski resort lends itself perfectly to waterslides and exhilarating attractions. While there, be sure to check out the thrill ride Downhill Double Dipper or relax in Meltaway Bay. With rides of all levels of intensity, there is something to please everyone. 

Magic Mountain, Moncton, New Brunswick: The largest water park in Atlantic Canada, Magic Mountain has attractions for the young and the young at heart. If you are looking to prove you have nerves of steel, take on Kamikaze Waterfall; a slide that takes only 5 seconds to descend, but that has a near vertical drop and speeds of 37 miles an hour. For those who want a less terrifying way to stay cool, the park’s original waterslide goes at a much more moderate pace with drops and turns that will allow you to keep your lunch from exiting your body. For the young ones, Magic Mountain has a park just for kids, called Puddle Jumpers Pond, complete with miniature versions of all your favorite waterpark attractions. 

Water World, Denver, Colorado: Located just 15 mins North of Denver, Water World sits on 64 beautifully landscaped acres. Water World features the largest variety of attractions (42) in America and more family tube rides than anywhere else. The wee ones can enjoy their time in Wally World, or the entire family can bond in Voyage to the Center of the Earth. From thrill rides to breathtaking picnic areas, Water World has everything to help you enjoy the final weeks of summer while making memories with the family.