Splash Down!

With the high price of gas, not to mention airline tickets, most of us can't afford to travel too far. Whether or not you have kids home from school, summer is prime vacation time. And although a cross-country road trip is probably not an option, a vacation certainly can be. 

Consider this: Waterparks are generally cheaper than traditional theme parks, and they're just as much fun. Scattered around the country are more than 1000 of them, with many more in the works as city parks and rec departments scramble to stay current (you know – regular pools are passé...). Odds are there's a waterpark of some sort within a couple hours' drive of your home, and perhaps you've been there already. Maybe even gotten bored with it. If you're willing to venture a bit farther, here are a few destinations within a day's drive of all four corners of the country - and most of the space in between.

As an added bonus, each of the waterparks below is located in a city that has lots of other things to see and do (including cheap or free options), so you can plan an entire vacation.

Starting in the Pacific Northwest, Washington is a wonderland for outdoorsy types, and more urban-inclined folks find much to love in Seattle. The nearby town of Federal Way is home to Wild Waves, a combination water and theme park. There truly is something for everyone, from wee youngsters to bored teens to thrill-seeking old folks.

Sunny California has miles of free beach of course, but if you're looking for splashy fun with less sand, the state also has a plethora of waterparks. Three locations of Knott's Soak City are located in Buena Park (Orange County), Palm Springs and Chula Vista (San Diego). Each is a little different, but you can count on hours of family entertainment in grand Knott's style. Raging Waters also has three locations - Sacramento, San Jose, and San Dimas. The parks are all similar, offering a wide range of rides that should keep everyone happy: scary slides, interactive playgrounds and relaxing lazy rivers.

The Southwest may be dry, but it's still HOT. In Arizona, Tempe (just outside Phoenix) is home to Big Surf, a park that's well worth a visit. Along with a wave pool it has numerous slides for all ages and levels of courage, and a toddler-friendly water playground.

Colorado is really an ideal family destination. Denver alone has a wildly intriguing mix of attractions: renowned dining, nightlife, and shopping, a zoo, a children's museum, professional sports teams, an aquarium, and a traditional theme park. It's also home to Water World, a huge 64-acre waterpark with every conceivable type of slide and lots of action for the whole family.

Perhaps the most famous, award-winning waterpark in the country is Schlitterbahn, in the great state of Texas. Located in New Braunfels (between San Antonio and Austin) this 65-acre park has it all, and then some. It's the priciest of the pack, but worth every penny. Houston's Splashtown is slightly more modest in scale, but still a blast. It's also particularly good for families, with several interactive playgrounds and a good mix of thrillers and tamer rides.

Missouri suffers from high humidity during the summer months, so plan to visit as many cooling destinations as possible. In Grafton (actually in Illinois, but right outside St. Louis, MO) you'll find Raging Rivers, beside the mighty Mississippi. It offers attractions for every age group, and the setting is quite attractive. Plan to spend two days at Kansas City's Worlds of Fun/Oceans of Fun. The first is a traditional theme park with coasters and other thrill rides, and a Peanuts-themed kids section; the adjacent Oceans of Fun has everything from intense slides to a kayak pond.

When you think about waterparks, Wisconsin probably doesn't come immediately to mind. But it should! Wisconsin Dells (about an hour outside Madison) boasts not one, not two, but more than 20 waterparks. It's a year-round destination, with both indoor and outdoor parks, many of which are complete resorts with hotels and restaurants. Three favorites are Noah's Ark, Kalahari, and Mt. Olympus. This is a fantastic place to keep in mind for those long winters, too, when the Caribbean may be calling but the wallet isn't obliging.
 
Georgia has many waterparks of various sizes, but the most well-known is Six Flags White Water in Marietta, about 30 minutes north of Atlanta. It's a corporate giant, to be sure, but it's also got some amazing rides, such as the nine-story Cliffhanger and the wild Dragon's Tail, not to mention kid-friendly playgrounds and a lazy river. Also near Atlanta is Lake Lanier Islands, a resort with a waterpark and a whole lot more, including golf, hiking and horseback riding. 

Outside our nation's capital is Williamsburg, Virginia, one of the country's most popular tourist destinations. It's true that this town is steeped in history – everywhere you turn you see people in period costume, historic markers on buildings, and antique shops. There's no arguing that it's interesting, entertaining, and educational. But when the time comes to take a break from the past, and the heat, head to Water Country USA. Zip down the twisty Jet Scream slide or float along the Hubba Hubba Highway.

Last but not least, New England. The region has a number of good waterparks, but New Hampshire's Water Country in Portsmouth (near Manchester) consistently gets the most raves. Little kids adore the pirate ship and Ollie the Octopus (whose arms double as slides). Older kids and adults line up repeatedly for the thrill of Dragon's Den and Double Geronimo.

A few things to remember when planning your summer vacation: Many waterparks don't issue rain checks, or do only under the most extreme weather conditions, so try your best to go on a sunny day. Most offer half-day tickets at reduced prices (usually after 3pm). For more savings, take advantage of combination and multi-day tickets. Some cities have created special cards that give you admission to numerous attractions for one low price, a convenient and budget friendly way to see a lot for a little. The Go San Diego card, for example, includes about 50 different museums, attractions and tours – you can choose a card that's good for 1-7 days, and costs only $60-171 (Adult) or $40-130 (Child).

Finally, whatever you end up doing on your summer vacation, USE SUNSCREEN!