Exciting Water Parks in Houston to Visit this Summer
Summer is the perfect time to enjoy the sunshine and cool off with a splash! With the temperatures rising, what better way to beat the heat than to visit a water park? Houston, Texas, is home to various water parks that offer thrilling water slides, lazy rivers, wave pools, and much more. Whether you’re planning a family outing, a day with friends, or a date with your significant other, Houston’s water parks will surely provide the perfect summer escape. In this post, we’ll highlight some of Houston’s most exciting water parks that you should visit this summer. We’ll cover everything from the best attractions and rides to the food and amenities each park offers. Get ready for some fun in the sun!
Summer is just starting to pick up and will only be getting hotter from here. To keep you from melting like your favorite summer popsicle, I have whipped up a list of all the best water parks in the Houston area that are sure to keep you cool and help you enjoy even the hottest days this season!
Houston is known for its hot summer weather, and there is no better way to cool off than by visiting one of its many water parks. Here are the top 10 water parks in Houston that you won’t want to miss this summer.
Schlitterbahn Waterpark
2026 Lockheed Rd, Galveston, TX 77554; (409) 770-9283
This water park is a favorite for those who reside in the Galveston area. It is home to some of the most exciting water rides and coasters in Texas and hosts the TALLEST water ride in the world! The price for a full-day pass is $53, and with three different sections in the park to explore, it is well worth its cost!
Located in Galveston, Schlitterbahn Water Park boasts numerous attractions, including the thrilling Master Blaster, the world’s longest water coaster. The ride will take you through twists, turns, and drops amidst a beautiful tropical landscape.
If you’re looking for something more relaxing, the Kristal River is a lazy river that winds its way through the park. The river’s gentle current makes it a perfect place to relax and soak up the sun. Schlitterbahn Water Park also offers several pools, including the Torrent Wave River, which simulates waves up to five feet high.
For the little ones, the Kiddie Coast is a safe and fun-filled area that features a variety of water slides, including mini versions of some of the park’s more thrilling rides.
Schlitterbahn Water Park has several dining options, including BBQ pits, pizza, and Mexican cuisine to refuel between rides and attractions.
Overall, Schlitterbahn Water Park is an excellent destination for anyone seeking an action-packed and refreshing way to spend the day in Houston.
Splashway Water Park
5211 Main St, Sheridan, TX 77475; (979) 234-7718
Splashway Water Park is one of Houston’s most popular water parks and is a must-visit destination for anyone looking for a thrilling aquatic adventure. This water park offers attractions for all ages, including multiple water slides, wave pools, and water play areas.
One of the most popular attractions at Splashway is the Texas Freefall, a thrilling water slide that will have you screaming down a steep drop at high speeds. If you want a more relaxed experience, float down the park’s lazy river or soak up the sun on its white sand beach.
For families with young children, the park has a dedicated area called Ray’s Rascals that features smaller water slides, water jets, and a shallow pool for toddlers to splash around in.
Splashway also offers visitors a range of amenities, including private cabanas, food and drink options, and even a camping area for those who want to extend their stay.
Altitude H20
This floating water park meets an obstacle course that is great for families looking for a fun and unique way to cool off this summer. The inflatable course sits on top of the water and features awesome obstacles like trampolines, a wiggly bridge, and hurdles. Twenty dollars gives you your chance to explore the course for 45 minutes.
Typhoon Texas Waterpark
555 Katy Fort Bend Rd, Katy, TX 77494; (832) 426-7071
Located in Katy, Typhoon Texas Water Park is one of the top tourist destinations in Houston. This park has some of the most thrilling water rides and attractions, including the Tidal Wave Bay, the Texas Twister, and the Duelin’ Daltons. One of the standout features of this water park is the massive wave pool, which is one of the largest in Texas. With over 375,000 gallons of water and waves up to 6 feet high, this is the perfect place to catch some waves or just relax on the beach.
For those seeking a bit more excitement, the park offers a variety of thrilling water slides, including the Lone Star Racers, which lets you race your friends down a twisting slide to see who can make it to the bottom first. There’s also the Snake Pit, a series of four slides that twist and turn down to the pool below.
In addition to the rides and attractions, Typhoon Texas Water Park offers dining options, from classic park fares like burgers and hot dogs to Tex-Mex favorites like tacos and nachos. Plenty of places to relax and soak up the sun, including cabanas and lounge chairs throughout the park. It has rides for children of all ages and heights, so no one will feel left out. Any-day tickets are $40, and tickets for a particular day range from $20-40.
Hurricane Harbor Splashtown
21300 Interstate 45, Spring, TX 77373; (281) 355-3300
Formerly known as Six Flags SplashTown, this water park has been recently renovated to include new attractions such as the Alien Chaser and the Brain Drain. It also includes classic favorites such as the Big Kahuna and the FlowRider.
This water park was formally known as Wet’n’Wild Splashtown but was bought by Six Flags in 2018 and got rebranded. The park has a wide variety of thrill rides, family rides, and rides perfect for kids! Tickets can be as low as $42 when you buy online, but if you wait until you are at the park, that price rises by $20.
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor is the perfect choice if you’re looking for a water park with something for everyone. With over 25 attractions, this water park has everything from high-speed water slides to lazy rivers for a more relaxing experience.
The park’s most popular attraction is the Tornado, a massive water slide that takes riders through a 132-foot tunnel before propelling them into a giant funnel. The Wahoo Racer, a six-lane racing slide, is another crowd favorite and perfect for competitive families or groups of friends.
For those looking to relax, the park offers multiple wave pools and a lazy river where visitors can float and enjoy the sun. Hurricane Harbor has plenty of options for younger visitors, with splash pads, kiddie pools, and mini slides.
The park offers a variety of dining options ranging from snacks to full meals, and visitors can also rent cabanas for a more exclusive experience.
Pirates Bay Waterpark
5300 East Rd, Baytown, TX 77521; (281) 422-1150
One of the most exciting water parks in Houston that you must visit this summer is Pirate’s Bay Waterpark. With over 7 acres of land, Pirate’s Bay Waterpark is a perfect destination for families and friends looking for an enjoyable day out.
The park features a variety of thrilling rides and attractions, including the Buccaneer Wave Pool, which is perfect for those who love to splash around in the water. You can also ride on the lazy river or try out the thrilling Master Blaster Uphill Water Coaster.
Thrill-seekers can take on the park’s many water slides, including the Blackbeard’s Revenge, which drops riders 40 feet into the water below, and the Cannonball, a high-speed slide that sends riders racing down a steep drop.
Younger visitors can enjoy the Shipwreck Island area, which features smaller slides and water play structures designed with kids in mind.
For the little ones, there’s a special area called the Splash Pad, which features a variety of water fountains and interactive play structures. Pirate’s Bay Waterpark also offers private cabanas for rent, so you can relax in style while enjoying the park’s amenities.
Food and drinks are available on-site, with various tasty treats and refreshing beverages to keep you fueled throughout the day. With affordable admission prices, Pirate’s Bay Waterpark is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to beat the heat and have fun in the sun this summer in Houston.
Pirates Bay has many rides, including slides, a wave pool, a lazy river, and so much more! You could easily spend an entire day here having a blast. Ticket prices are based on height, with people under 48 inches paying less than those over 48 inches.
Palm Beach Moody Gardens
1 Hope Blvd, Galveston, TX 77554; (409) 683-4200
Moody Gardens is not as intense as what you might imagine a waterpark to be like. Here you can relax on a white sand beach or get pampered at the spa. Other attractions are more exciting for kids and are sure to keep them entertained, like tower slides and rope courses, but this is a place that the less adventurous will enjoy.
Big Rivers Waterpark
23101 TX-242, New Caney, TX 77357; (832) 509-1556
With over 40 rides and attractions, this park has something for everyone. They offer water rides ranging from calm and relaxing to thrilling and adrenaline-pumping, so there’s no shortage of fun. One of the most unique features of Big Rivers is its adventure park, which features zip lines, rock climbing, and a ropes course. It’s a great opportunity to try something new and exciting that you may not find at other water parks.
For those who just want to relax, the lazy river is the perfect spot to float away the day. There are also plenty of cabanas and shaded areas to cool off and take a break from the sun. Another great thing about Big Rivers Water Park & Adventures is its commitment to safety and cleanliness. They have implemented strict COVID-19 protocols to ensure visitors enjoy the park with peace of mind. Plus, the park is always spotless and well-maintained.
Big Rivers is a new park with much to do and more on the way! There are water rides, dry attractions, and aerial attractions to keep you entertained all day! This park is open from 10 am to 7 pm, and an all-day pass costs you $40 if you’re over 48 inches and $35 if you are under.
Great Wolf Lodge Water Park
100 Great Wolf Dr, Grapevine, TX 760; (800) 693-9653
Great Wolf is an indoor water park perfect for those days when it isn’t quite nice enough to play outside the water. They keep their water nice and warm at 84 degrees, and even though it is indoors, it is big enough to keep you and your family busy all day!
Noah’s Ark
Quillian Center, 10570 Westpark, Houston TX, 77042; 713-781-9195
The Quillian Center has exceptional swimming facilities, including a full-sized pool outfitted with two diving boards and a thrilling waterslide. For the younger crowd, there’s Noah’s Ark Pool, voted the best pool in Houston in a poll by Great Day Houston! Perfect for pre-kindergarteners and early elementary students, this delightful pool features the centerpiece of its namesake structure – three slides and a crawl-through – along with a mushroom water drop, a rainbow slide, a coconut water drop, and a slew of other interactive toys inspired by Noah’s animals. Visit Noah’s Ark Pool at the Quillian Center and make a splash!
This splash pad is a great place to go when you want to save a few dollars but still make sure your young kids will even have a good time. There are no big rides here, but it is still a blast for little kids and families looking to cool off for the day.
SplashPad Texas
9899 Red Rugossa Dr, Houston, TX 77095
As its name suggests, this last option is also a splash pad. Your kids can run around the park and play in the water on the jungle gym-like structure when they get too hot. There are no big slides or drops, but there are many ways to have a good day!
What to expect at each water park
Each water park in Houston offers a unique experience for visitors. At the Schlitterbahn Waterpark, expect to find a variety of thrilling water rides, including the Master Blaster Uphill Water Coaster and the Skycoaster. This park also features a lazy river, a wave pool, and several children’s play areas.
Typhoon Texas Waterpark offers a range of rides for all ages, including the Tidal Wave Bay, which features the largest wave pool in Houston. The park also offers thrilling water slides, including the Lone Star Racers, the Texas Twister, and the Snake Pit.
Hurricane Harbor Splashtown is another great Houston water park that features a variety of water slides and rides, including the Brain Drain, the RipQurl, and the Tornado. This park also offers a lazy river, a wave pool, and several children’s play areas.
For a more family-friendly experience, consider visiting Pirate’s Bay Water Park, which offers several water slides and pools for visitors of all ages. The park also features a lazy river, splash pad, and a pirate-themed play area.
No matter which water park you visit in Houston, you can expect a fun-filled day of water activities and excitement for the whole family.
Insider tips for the best experience
Here are some insider tips for the best experience at Houston water parks. Firstly, arrive early to avoid the crowds. Most water parks open early in the morning, so if you want to make the most of your day, get there as soon as they open. This way, you can enjoy the attractions before they get too busy, and you won’t have to wait in long lines.
- Bring your own snacks and drinks. While most water parks have food and drink options, they can be expensive. Bringing your own snacks and drinks can save you money and ensure you have something to munch on throughout the day.
- Bring the right attire and gear. Wear comfortable swimwear and water shoes, and bring a towel. Some water parks also require you to wear proper swimwear, so check their rules and regulations.
- Take advantage of any lockers or storage options available. This way, you can keep your belongings safe and secure while you enjoy the water park attractions. With these insider tips, you’ll be sure to have the best experience at Houston’s water parks this summer.
We hope you enjoyed reading about the exciting water parks to visit in Houston this summer. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker or just looking for a way to stay cool, these water parks offer something for everyone. Don’t forget to pack your sunscreen, towels, and water bottles before heading out! So, grab your friends and family and make unforgettable memories at these amazing water parks!
