As temperatures climb during the summer months, there's no better way to cool off than by getting wet! Most water attractions open around Memorial Day and remain open through Labor Day and make for a perfect hot summer day activity with the kids. Here's a list of local splash pads, pools, water parks and beaches in our area or within a day's drive. Got one to add to the list? Email annah@macaronikid.com!
SPLASH PADS
Kiwanis Park (805 6th St SE, Hickory) - Home to the Zahra Baker All Children's Playground, Kiwanis Park now includes a splash park! Opened July 2016, the splash pad is open daily May 1 through September 30. Facilities at the park include 2 picnic shelters with tables and grills, tennis court, outdoor basketball court, 4 lighted baseball fields, 2 playgrounds, horseshoe pits, walking trail, rest rooms and 2 concession stands. Read review here.
Splash Pad Hours: 10am to 8pm daily after June 15th (May 1-June 15 hours are 10am-4pm weekdays and 3-8pm Saturdays)
Admission: Free
Lowes Foods City Park (Corner of 3rd St NW and Main Av NW, Hickory) - Opened in December of 2016, the park’s components consist of water play, art, education, music, local craftsmanship, and top of the line, modern play equipment. The splash pad is open May 1 through September 30. Read review here.
Park Hours: 7am to 9pm in the summertime
Admission: Free
Conover City Park (361 5th Ave SE, Conover) - 6 acres in size with over 1/2 mile of asphalt walking trails, picnic shelter with 6 tables, public restroom, two nature themed playgrounds and a splash pad. The splash pad is open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Read review here.
Splash Pad Hours: 11am to 8pm daily
Admission: Free
Martha's Park (200 Block Collett St., Morganton) - 1.4 acre park with fenced and gated play area, playground equipment, 3 picnic shelters, handicapped accessible restrooms and a children's water splash pad. The splash pad opens middle to late May and closes middle to late September, depending on the weather. Read review here.
Splash Pad Hours: 10am-8pm daily
Admission: Free
Adrian L. Shuford Jr. YMCA (1104 Conover Blvd E, Conover) - Full service facility includes fitness center, indoor pool and splash park. Admission covers access to whole facility. The splash pad opens around Memorial Day each year.
Splash Park Hours: Mon-Thur 11:30am-8:30pm, Fri 11:30am-7:30pm, Sat 11am-4:30pm, Sun 1-4:30pm (weekends only until school is out)
Admission: $10 non-members, $5 guests with member, free for members
West Lincoln Park (369 Hulls Grove Church Road, Vale) - This 54 acre park includes a picnic shelter, two playgrounds, two baseball fields, a volleyball court, horseshoe pits, a multipurpose field, an amphitheater and mountain bike/walking trails. A splash pad opened in June 2014 is open Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Splash Pad Hours: 10am-7pm daily
Admission: Free
OUTDOOR POOLS
Newton Rec Center Swimming Pool (23 S. Brady Ave., Newton) - Outdoor swimming pool opens when school is out and remains open through mid-late August.
Hours: Mon-Sat 1-6pm, Thur night swim 6-8pm.
Admission: Adults 18+ $4, children 6-17 $3, seniors 62+ $2, children 5 and under $1
Lenoir Aquatic Center (1031 Jim Barger Court, Lenoir) - Outdoor pool with slides, including a children's pool. Open Memorial Day through Labor Day, weather permitting.
Hours: Mon-Thur 1-3:30pm, Tue & Thur 7-8:30pm, Wed 5:30-8:30pm, Fri 1-6:30pm, Sat 10am-4:30pm, Sun 1-4:30pm
Admission: Adults $5, seniors & children 17 and under $3, 2 and under free
Hickory Foundation YMCA (701 1St. St. NW, Hickory) - Full service facility includes fitness center, climbing tower, indoor and outdoor pool. Admission covers access to whole facility. Outdoor pool opens around Memorial Day each year.
Outdoor Pool Hours: Mon-Thur 11am-8pm, Fri & Sat 11-7pm, Sun 1-7pm (weekends only until school is out).
Admission: $10 non-members, $5 guests with member, free for members
Kool Park Pool (3170 31st Ave. Court NE, Hickory) - Public pool with water depth ranging from 18in to 15ft, featuring a 90ft fiberglass slide, three diving boards ranging from 3ft to 12ft, a 15ft diving tower, 100 picnic tables, wooden benches for sunbathing, shaded areas, concession stand, game room and restrooms. The park is open Memorial Day wekeend through Labor Day, weather permitting. Read our feature here.
Hours: Open daily 10am-6pm, Wed Fri, and Sat Evening Swim 6:30-9pm
Admission: ages 13-64: $15, 12 and under & 62 and older: $8, 2 and under free
Granite Falls Swimming Pool (56 Pinewood Rd, Granite Falls) - Outdoor pool and splash pad; newly renovated for 2015! The pool opens when school is out and remains open daily until school resumes.
Hours: Mon-Sat 1-5pm, Sun 2-5pm, Mon Night Swim 6:30-8pm
Admission: Mon-Sat: Adults $4, students 16 and under $3, Sun & Mon Night Swim: Adults $3, students $2
McCreary Family Aquatic Center Redwood Pool (450 Redwood St., Hudson) - Redwood Park includes an outdoor tennis and volleyball court, walking trails, bike trails, playgrounds, four picnic shelters, six softball/baseball fields, and an outdoor pool which opens when school is out.
Pool Day Hours: Mon-Fri 1-5pm, Sat 12-5pm, Sun 2-5pm; Night Hours: Tue & Thur 6:30-8:30pm
Admission: Day: ages 16 and up $5, age 4-15 $4, age 3 & under $1, non-swimmer $2; Night: ages 16 and up $4, age 4-15 $3, age 3 & under $1, non-swimmer $1
Collett Street Pool (401 N. King St, Morganton) - The pool usually opens around Memorial Day and closes the day after Labor Day. When school is in session, the pool is only open on weekends.
Hours: Mon-Fri 1-5pm and 7:30-9pm, Sat 1-7pm, Sun 1-5pm
Admission: Adult $3.25 city residents / $4 non-residents, Child $2.25 city residents / $2.75 non-residents, Senior $1.75 city residents / $2.25 non-residents, wading pool $1.50 city residents / $2 non-residents
Jimmy C. Draughn Aquatics & Fitness Center (312 Massel Ave. SE, Valdese) - The pool is twenty-five yards long, with ten lanes for swim meets or lap swimming. It is enclosed from October through May to allow for year-round swimming. In warm months, the cover is removed, allowing you to tan as you swim.
Public Swim Summer Hours (valid early June-early Aug): Mon-Fri 11:30am-4:30pm, Sat 11:30am-9pm, Sun 1-5pm, Tue/Wed/Fri evening swim 7-9pm.
Admission: ages 19 and up $3.50, ages 5-18 $2.50, under 5 $1.50
Hiddenite Family Campground (601 Princess Lane, Hiddenite) - Large outdoor pool open late-May thru mid-September (weather permitting); admission includes access to pool and all campground amenities which include volleyball, covered picnic area, creek, farm animals and more.
Hours: Open 10am to dark daily
Admission: $5 per person day pass
Hilderbran Icard Pool (201 S Center St, Hildebran) - Call 828-397-2300 for more information.
Hours: Mon-Wed 12-5pm, Thursday 12-8pm and Friday 12-5pm
Admission: $4 for adults, $3 for 12-17, and $2 for 11 & under
LAKE BEACHES
Lake James State Park (6883 NC Hwy 126, Nebo) - Swimming area located in the Paddy's Creek Area of the park, open May 1 through September 30. Fee is in effect when lifeguards are on duty. Amenities include restrooms with showers, picnic shelters, picnic tables and concession stand.
Hours: 10am-6pm daily
Fees: Adult 13 and over $5/day, Child ages 3-12 $4/day
Lake Norman State Park (759 State Park Road, Troutman) - Swim area with 125 yard long sand beach and bathhouse with concession stand, restrooms, changing stalls, warm showers and lockers is located in the south area of the park at the end of State Park Road. Open to the public April-October but lifeguard service is offered from Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day. Fee to swim is charged only when lifeguards are present.
Hours: 10am-5:30pm daily
Fees: Adult 13 and over $5/day, Child ages 3-12 $4/day
Lake Lure Beach & Water Park (2930 Memorial Hwy, Lake Lure) - 100 yards of clean, sandy beach and swimming area; water park with water slides and water games; change area, bathrooms and snacks; covered picnic shelter on the beach and individual picnic tables. Open Memorial Day thru Labor Day.
Hours: 10am-6pm daily
Fees: Adults $8, Seniors $7, Children (4-12) $6, Children under 4 free if accompanied by an adult
WATER PARKS
Steele Creek Park (7081 NC Hwy 181, Morganton) - Features a 400ft waterslide, two diving boards, an outdoor swimming pool, miniature golf and camping facilities. The park is open May - October each year.
Waterslide Hours: 10am-6pm daily
Fee: $5 per person for 30min, $10 per person all day for the waterslide; $6 adults, $4 children ages 4-11, $5 seniors and military for swimming and picnicing
Sun Crest Water Park (6806 All Healing Springs Rd., Taylorsville) - A naturally spring fed water park with an old fashioned swinging rope, water slides for all ages, and plenty of space to enjoy. The park opens each year when school is out for the summer. Read our feature here.
Hours: Mon-Wed 10:30am-5:30pm, closed Thur except the week of July 4th, Fri 10:30am-5:30pm, Sat & Sun 10:30am-6pm
Admission: Adults 12 and over $9, Children 11 and under $6
Carolina Harbor at Carowinds (14523 Carowinds Blvd, Charlotte) - Boomerang Bay has undergone a historic transformation into the all new Carolina Harbor Waterpark. The new expansion doubles the amount of water slides at Carowinds and includes wave pools, slides & twisters, lazy river, raft slide, a water jungle gym, children's area and more.
Hours: 11am-7pm with an hour longer on weekends mid-June through early Aug, shortened hours in May and August.
Admission: included with ticket to Carowinds, online single day tickets start at $44
Wet'n Wild Emerald Pointe (3910 South Holden Road, Greensboro) - The largest water park in both the Carolinas, with over 36 rides and attractions for kids of all ages. The park is open Memorial Day through Labor Day each year.
Summer Hours: 10am-6pm Sun-Fri, 10-7pm Sat; extended hours July 4th weekend, shortened hours and weekends only through early June and after mid-August
Admission: Online day tickets start at $39.99 for adults, $30.99 for kids
OTHER DAY TRIP IDEAS
US Whitewater Center (Charlotte)
Tanglewood Aquatic Center (Clemmons)
Sliding Rock (Brevard)
Deep Creek (Bryson City)
Lake Lure
Wahoo's Adventures (Boone)
River Girl Fishing Company (Todd)
Zaloo's Canoes (Jefferson)
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