by José Gonzalez
There's no better way to escape the summer sun than taking a plunge into one of the many water parks in and around Toronto. Whether you want to take a thrilling ride down a water slide or ease down a relaxing lazy river, these water parks offer cool solutions to the scorching summer sun. [Photo credit: courtesy of Splash Works]
Wet N' Wild Toronto
Formerly known as Wild Water Kingdom, this venue has invested $25 million in renovations to make a brand new water park. Spanning 45 acres, the park's newest additions include the water play park Bear Footin' Bay, two conventional water slides named Hurricane and Typhoon, mat-ride slide Klondike Express, the four-person raft slide Krazy Kanuck, the near vertical dropping slide Oh Canada!, and the family play area Wet'n'Wild Jr. Returning wave pools, a lazy river and even more water slides make up the rest of the newly redesigned park.
Canada's Wonderland Splash Works
The country's premiere amusement park is also host to a 20-acre water park. Always expanding, this year's addition is the Muskoka Plunge, a series of four 60-foot water slides that literally drop you into them with a trapdoor entrance. Old standards are also available, including the lazy river, wave pool, splash playground and more than half a dozen other water slides.
The Great Wolf Lodge Water Park Resort
This family resort focuses on providing a wide array of attractions for young and old. The playgrounds and water slides are popular with the kids, including shorter slides for very young children, while adults might prefer some time at the spa or lounging poolside. If you get tired of the water, you can also enjoy some mini-golf, an arcade or bowling. Take note, not all the attractions are included with your room.
Centreville Theme Park
Although this is more of your standard land-based theme park, there's still some water fun to be had. You can hop aboard the beloved Log Flume Ride, or try navigating some bumper boats or swan rides. Aside from that, you'll have to check out the beaches surrounding the park for any more water fun.
The Wave Pool
The popular Richmond Hill attraction includes a 100-foot water slide and sauna. Of course, the main attraction is the large wave pool, which has a shallow beach-like entrance for young children. Being an indoor pool, you can also visit this spot all year, so you won't have to wait until next summer for a return visit.
Wild Waterworks
This water park has four tube water slides, two body slides, a lazy river and one of the largest wave pools in the country. For the younger kids, the park also offer Little Squirt Works, a playground with wading pools, slides and fountains. This park also offers special party packages, either letting you plan one in their party pavilions, or letting the park do all the work for you. together for you.
Cedar Park Resort
This 30-acre park includes a triple waterslide, a water playground, splash pads and a pool. The splash pad in particular is great for younger children with smaller slides and gentler water features. In addition to the water fun there's also a camping ground you can stay in overnight, and mini-golf if you'd like family fun that's a little less wet.
Regent Park Aquatic Centre
Unlike other public pools in the city, this facility offers three indoor pools, water slides, diving boards and even a rope swing. The pools vary from a 25-meter lap pool, leisure pool and spa pool, offering you a dip no matter your mood. A number of programs are also run throughout the year for all age groups, from preschoolers to senior citizens.
Kidstown
This Scarborough water park is suited to the younger set, from preschoolers to grade school kids. It includes a tipping bucket, a water slide, wading pool, splash pad and several other water features. There's a picnic area nearby for adults, and birthday parties can be celebrated on site with a reservation.
Fallsview Indoor Waterpark
Billing itself as North America’s Largest Indoor Waterpark & Resort, this three-acre park has 16 water slides, a wave pool, hot springs and an outdoor sundeck with a pool. Being next to a resort means you can plan family vacations with a place to stay nearby, and the park itself is a short walk from Niagara Falls.
Toronto Zoo Splash Island
Kids can take a break from observing the animals to enjoy some water fun at the zoo's special splash pad. It includes water slides, water-spouting animals (fake ones, not real animals), waterfalls and tipping buckets. If you're planning a trip in June, be aware that it doesn't open for weekends until July 1.
