If you’ve stepped outside recently, you’ve surely noticed that things are heating up in the Tri-Cities! Summer is upon us, which means that boats will be hitting the Columbia, students will be off on break, and everyone will be looking for a place to cool off. What better place to relax and enjoy the weather while staying cool (and maybe working on that tan) than checking out one of the region’s water parks?
Pelican Bay
In the Tri-Cities, there are a few options for those seeking out an oasis in the shrub-steppe. If you’re in Richland, check out Pelican Bay at the CBRC Health and Wellness Clinic. The perfect addition to this sprawling fitness center, Pelican Bay is an outdoor water park featuring a lazy river, water cannons, slides, a rock wall, and a massive suspended bucket that fills every few minutes and spills on those underneath. The “zero-entry” pool is ideal parents with toddlers, as you can walk directly into the water that never reaches more than a foot and a half in depth.
If you’re growing tired of swimming with or against the current in the lazy river, hop out and sprawl on one of the lounge chairs or the open grass lawn. There’s also a snack bar where you can find pizza, hot dogs, pretzels, nachos, and refreshments to keep yourself nourished and beat the Tri-City heat.
Splashdown Cove
The Tri-City Court Club in Kennewick is home to Splashdown Cove. Featuring many of the same attractions as Pelican Bay, this water park is the perfect place to take the family and even squeeze in a workout before or afterwards. With a 212-foot bright yellow waterslide, a water blaster, and the kid-favorite SplashDome that delivers a 30-second curtain of water, it’s hard to go wrong with a visit to this local water park.
Surf ‘n Slide
If you’re willing to take a bit of a road trip out of town, the Surf ‘n Slide Water Park in Moses Lake has your name written all over it! Located on the banks of the lake for which the city is named, you’re sure to have a blast while staying cool in the summer sun at this sprawling complex. Featuring thrill-seeking slides, multiple pools of varying sizes, supervised swim lessons, on-site refreshments, and modest admission fees, this park has been a staple of central Washington State for many years. The family-oriented park is the perfect place to escape for a day trip and enjoy the summer with friends/family.
Boulder Beach Water Park
This park is a way out of town, but makes for one of the best aquatic experiences in the entire northwest. If you’re heading to Spokane or western Idaho, it is well worth your time to experience this exhilarating park. Starting as an addition to the legendary Silverwood Theme Park, this massive complex deserves an article all on its own. The sprawling water park offers numerous heart-pounding attractions sorted by level of intensity, which we will be covering in a future feature. Until then, stay posted to Windermere Current, and stay cool in the summer sun!
